Chocolate hazelnut-praline gelato

After enjoying the chestnut ice cream, I wanted to get working on a chocolate-hazelnut version.  Because that, together with a scoop of chestnut and a scoop of chocolate gelato, is just about my perfect trifecta in a bowl, and it'd be neat to have those elements in my repertoire.

It wouldn't be summer if we weren't daydreaming about ice cream, right?  Well, I've been doing plenty of that and to get some of those ice cream daydreams out of system, I made this chocolate hazelnut-praline gelato.

I tagged this recipe a while ago (okay, two years ago); the author of this recipe also created the one for chocolate-hazelnut crunch bars, which I love, so I knew I'd be in good hands.  So while I vaguely envisioned making chocolate-hazelnut ice cream using an ice cream or gelato base and adding melted gianduja (that wonderful combination of chocolate and hazelnuts, much like Nutella, and the block form of which you can actually buy), I went with this recipe using hazelnut praline paste.  It's essentially hazelnut praline, hazelnuts coated with caramelized sugar, ground up into a smooth paste.  

Buying the paste - instead of attempting to make your own - is a great shortcut.  I buy the Love 'n Bake brand and it's pretty readily available in supermarkets alongside the almond paste.  I've used it before for hazelnut cake with praline buttercream and chocolate-hazelnut macarons.  It is delicious stuff!  That, along with some melted chocolate, make up the flavor for this delicious chocolate-hazelnut gelato. 

So what makes this "gelato" instead of ice cream?  The distinction is blurred at home since we churn all our homemade frozen treats using the same ice cream machine (in my case, a basic Cuisinart).  I simply think of gelato recipes as being somewhat lower in fat (you'll see a more balanced or lower ratio of cream to milk), with the result being a greater intensity of flavor.  I am a big fan of gelato.     

And in this case, this particular gelato turned out with a thick, almost marshmallow-like mouthfeel!  It's chocolaty, it's hazelnut-y, and it's got some chopped hazelnuts in every bite to accentuate the flavor and give you a little texture.

Unlike classic gelato, which come plain and smooth, I love mix-in's and extra texture. Along with the chopped hazelnuts, I wouldn't have minded a few specks of chocolate running through this gelato either.  That said, if you're more of a purist, you can omit the chopped hazelnuts and have a smooth gelato that still has plenty of chocolate and hazelnut flavor.  It's all about the flavor.


This gelato is based on the familiar custard-base ice cream formula.  I used whole milk (2% is also an option) - two cups of it to 1 cup of heavy cream.  I love that gelato recipes are lighter on the cream for the obvious reason and for the fact that it really lets the underlying flavor shine through.  I used 4 egg yolks instead of 5.  It's the number of yolks I generally use for other gelato recipes and I think it's enough.

Hazelnut praline paste will be separated and needs to be stirred together thoroughly

A note on the hazelnut praline paste.  When you open up the can, you'll likely see a layer of oil on top and the solid on the bottom.  Transfer the mixture to a mixing bowl and stir it all together with a sturdy rubber spatula to combine until as smooth as you can get it.  This recipe takes a little more than 1/2 cup of the hazelnut praline.  

I like to strain my gelato/ice cream base to ensure I have as smooth a mixture as possible and to eliminate any bits of cooked eggs.  Chill the mixture thoroughly before churning.  Add 1/2 cup of chopped toasted hazelnuts at the last 5 minutes of churning.

Then, when the time is right (which is pretty much any time), serve up some homemade chocolate hazelnut-praline gelato to your friends and family.  I love the bits of hazelnuts in this gelato and for some reason, I was craving a sugar or waffle cone to go with this.  I'll have to save that for next time because this batch of gelato disappeared all too quickly!

Recipe:

Chocolate Hazelnut-Praline Gelato
Adapted from Nealey Dozier via The Kitchn

- Makes approximately 1 quart - 

2 cups whole milk (you could also use 2% milk)
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons hazelnut praline paste, well stirred (such as this one)
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (I used Pernigotti Dutch-processed cocoa)
2 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
4 large egg yolks
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup hazelnuts, toasted and coarsely chopped

Combine milk, heavy cream, and hazelnut praline paste in a heavy saucepan and cook over medium heat until it comes to a gentle bubble.  Whisk in cocoa powder and chocolate until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth.

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk the egg yolks, sugar, and salt until pale yellow and thickened.  Temper the egg mixture by slowly adding about a cup of the hot chocolate mixture while whisking constantly.  Scrape the mixture back into the saucepan with the rest of the chocolate mixture.

Cook mixture over low heat, whisking constantly, until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon (180-185 degrees on an instant read thermometer).  Remove custard from the heat and strain through a fine mesh strainer into a large bowl.  Stir in vanilla extract.  Chill mixture completely, preferably overnight.  

Churn custard using your ice cream maker, according to manufacturer's instructions. About 5 minutes before ice cream is done, when it reaches a custard-like consistency, add the chopped hazelnuts to incorporate.  Transfer gelato to a freezer-safe container and freeze until firm.