Indulge in the creamy, tangy delight of homemade Lemon Gelato, a refreshing Italian-inspired frozen dessert that’s a perfect balance of citrusy brightness and velvety texture. Made with a blend of whole milk, heavy cream, and fresh lemons, this gelato recipe captures the essence of summer in every bite. The addition of lemon zest infuses the mixture with a fragrant citrus aroma, while a touch of cornstarch ensures a luxuriously smooth consistency. With just 15 minutes of prep time and a few simple steps, this zesty treat is easy to whip up for any occasion. Serve it in bowls or cones for a dessert that’s as elegant as it is irresistible. Whether you’re cooling off on a hot day or looking for a light, refreshing after-dinner indulgence, this Lemon Gelato is sure to delight your taste buds.
In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, lemon zest, and salt.
Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir until the sugar dissolves completely, but do not let the mixture boil.
In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water to create a slurry.
Slowly whisk the cornstarch slurry into the milk mixture, continuing to stir until the liquid thickens slightly, about 2-3 minutes.
Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the mixture cool for 5 minutes.
Stir in the freshly squeezed lemon juice, mixing thoroughly to combine.
Transfer the mixture to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap (pressing it directly onto the surface of the gelato base to prevent a skin from forming), and refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours or until completely chilled.
Once chilled, pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions, typically about 20-25 minutes.
Transfer the churned gelato into an airtight container and freeze for at least 2 hours to firm up before serving.
Scoop into bowls or cones and enjoy your homemade lemon gelato!
Calories |
1741 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 96.2 g | 123% | |
| Saturated Fat | 57.1 g | 286% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.6 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 299 mg | 100% | |
| Sodium | 563 mg | 24% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 192.7 g | 70% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.2 g | 8% | |
| Total Sugars | 178.0 g | ||
| Protein | 16.7 g | 33% | |
| Vitamin D | 5.4 mcg | 27% | |
| Calcium | 617 mg | 47% | |
| Iron | 0.3 mg | 2% | |
| Potassium | 886 mg | 19% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.