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Indulge in the sweet and refreshing taste of summer with this homemade Strawberry Gelato. Made with ripe strawberries and a creamy base, this gelato is perfect for cooling down on a hot day or enjoying a light dessert any time of the year.
Serving Suggestion: Garnish your bowl of Strawberry Gelato with fresh strawberries, a mint leaf, or a drizzle of balsamic reduction for an elegant touch.
Best Season to Enjoy: Strawberry Gelato is a fantastic treat in the spring and early summer when strawberries are at their peak, offering the best flavor and sweetness.
Ninja Creami Strawberry Gelato
Course: Ice creamCuisine: GelatoDifficulty: Easy4
servings10
minutes24
HoursIngredients
🍦 1 Batch Classic Gelato Base
🍓 2 Cups Fresh Strawberries, hulled and halved
🍚 ½ Cup Granulated Sugar (adjust based on sweetness of strawberries)
🥛 ½ Cup Whole Milk (3.25% M.F.)
🍋 1 Tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice
🌱 ½ Tsp Vanilla Extract
Directions
- Prepare Gelato Base: Follow your chosen classic gelato base recipe. Once ready, pour it into the Ninja Creami pint container.
- Strawberry Puree: In a blender, combine strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Blend until smooth. Taste and adjust sugar as needed.
- Mix Ingredients: Combine the strawberry puree, milk, and vanilla extract with the gelato base in the Ninja Creami pint container. Stir well to incorporate.
- Churn the Gelato: Secure the pint container in the Ninja Creami and press the “Gelato” button. Let it churn until the mixture is creamy and smooth, about 10 minutes.
- Freeze: Once churned, transfer the gelato into an airtight container and freeze it for 24 hours to allow it to firm up properly.
- Serve: Allow the gelato to sit at room temperature for a few minutes for easier scooping. Serve with fresh strawberry slices or a sprig of mint for garnish.
Notes
- To provide accurate nutritional information, analyze each ingredient’s nutritional content and add them together for the total recipe.
- Don’t forget to divide by the number of servings to get the per-serving information.
- Include calories, fats, carbohydrates, proteins, and other relevant details.
Tips for the Creamiest Strawberry Gelato in Your Ninja Creami
- Macerate the berries first. Toss the halved strawberries with the sugar and lemon juice and let them sit for 30 minutes. They release juice and taste much sweeter and deeper.
- Cook down half the puree for more flavor. Simmer half of the strawberry puree for 5 minutes until it thickens a little. Less water means less ice and a stronger berry taste.
- Strain the seeds if you want it silky. Push the puree through a fine sieve. Leave the seeds in if you like a more homemade look.
- Keep the base cold. Mix the puree into a fully chilled gelato base, then freeze the pint flat for 24 hours before you spin.
- Don’t overfill. Stop at the MAX FILL line. Fruit bases expand a little as they freeze, and an overfilled pint can damage the machine.
- Add fresh berry pieces with MIX-IN. Fold in 1/4 cup (40 g) of diced strawberries after the GELATO cycle. Pat them dry first so they don’t turn into icy chunks.
Troubleshooting
- Icy gelato: Strawberries are mostly water. Cook down part of the puree, or swap a little of the milk for heavy cream to add fat.
- Powdery after spinning: Add 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of milk and press RE-SPIN. Repeat once more if needed.
- Pale pink color: Out-of-season berries are lighter in color and taste. Use ripe, deep red berries, or add a few frozen raspberries to the puree.
- Flavor too weak: Add more puree and less milk, or stir in 1 tablespoon of strawberry jam. A tiny pinch of salt also helps the fruit stand out.
Storage and Serving
Store leftover Ninja Creami Strawberry Gelato in the pint with the lid on. Smooth the top flat and press a piece of parchment on the surface to keep ice from forming. Fruit gelato is best within 1 to 2 weeks, while the berry flavor is still bright.
The gelato will be firm after a night in the freezer. Run it on RE-SPIN for a soft, fresh texture, or let it sit out for 5 to 10 minutes. Serve it with sliced strawberries, a crumbled shortbread cookie, or a few torn basil leaves for a fresh twist.
Strawberry Gelato FAQ
Can I use frozen strawberries?
Yes. Thaw them first, then blend them with their juice. Frozen berries are picked ripe, so they are a great choice when fresh ones are pale or out of season.
What is the classic gelato base?
It is a simple mix of whole milk, a little cream, sugar and often egg yolks, cooked until slightly thick and then chilled. Gelato uses more milk and less cream than ice cream, which lets the fruit flavor shine.
Why does the lemon juice matter?
Lemon juice brightens the strawberries and keeps the color a little more vivid. You won’t taste lemon, just a fresher berry flavor.
How long does Ninja Creami Strawberry Gelato need to freeze?
Freeze the filled pint on a flat shelf for at least 24 hours before spinning. This gives the Ninja Creami Strawberry Gelato base a solid, even block, which is the key to a smooth scoop.
Can I use less sugar?
You can cut the sugar by a few tablespoons if your berries are very sweet. Keep in mind that sugar does more than sweeten. It also keeps the gelato soft, so a lower sugar pint may need an extra RE-SPIN to turn creamy.
What other fruits work with this base?
Raspberries, blackberries and ripe peaches all work with the same method. Strain raspberry and blackberry puree well, since their seeds are larger and harder than strawberry seeds.
More Ninja Creami Recipes to Try
Enjoy the delightful and fresh flavors of this Strawberry Gelato, perfect for a sunny day or when you’re craving a sweet, fruity dessert!
