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Are you familiar with Amarena Gelato? If not, you need to become friends!! This no churn vanilla gelato with sour cherry ribbons is luxuriously creamy and oh so tasty! It’s easy to make even if you don’t have an ice cream machine!
The cherries in this dessert are divine! To get even more of a good thing, try Black Forest Cake!
Summer is here, and I couldn’t be happier! Tis the season of basking in the sunshine, sipping fruity drinks and snacking on frozen treats. What could be better?
I live a long way from any beach but that doesn’t mean that I can’t trick myself into thinking that I’m on holiday. And how better than gelato with classic Italian flavours?
I don’t eat ice cream regularly. In fact, I hardly ever eat ice cream. It’s not exactly a health food and I don’t really feel like I am missing out.
My attitude changes dramatically whenever we are in Italy. I want gelato ALL THE TIME. It doesn’t even have to be hot. I just want to consume huge amounts of it for days on end.
I can’t spend all my time in Italy, which means I’ve had to work on bringing Italian-style gelato into my own home. Is it really possible to get silky, creamy gelato-style ice cream in a home kitchen, you ask? Absolutely!
Cherry gelato
We all have our favourite kind of gelato. In our family we have devoted fans of strawberry and pistachio.
But my heart goes to cherry gelato, or gelato all’amarena. Smooth and luscious vanilla ice cream threaded with ribbons of amarena cherry preserves.
Don’t be fooled though – it’s not your regular cherry ice cream that’s been given a name makeover. This is a revelation everyone should discover at one point of their life. Amarena gelato is a beauty to behold!
Cherry adds an elegant flavour to this creamy ice cream. This is an affiliate link.Amarena cherries in particular are something special, which just the right mix of sweet with a hint of bitterness. They match so well with the thick cream.
Amarena cherries are unique, and while there are other options that come close, they can’t quite duplicate the same flavour. This gelato really does benefit from the real thing. Look for Amarena cherry preserves in an Italian section of your supermarket or deli.
If you really can’t find any, try Luxardo cherries or other preserved sour cherries. I would not recommend maraschino cherries, though, as they are a bit too one-note!
No-churn ice cream
I’m a huge fan of no-churn ice cream, which is why I come back to it so often. It’s almost ridiculous that creamy, decedent ice cream can be made without special equipment or a lot of effort.
I was absolutely determined to re-create this favourite of mine at home and played around with a few different recipes before finding one I loved. It’s beautiful and simple and not something intimidating to tackle at home.
The recipe for my amarena gelato was easy to develop from there and was I ever pleased with the result! And here is the best part…no ice-cream maker required!
It can be made in an ice cream maker though. I did want to experiment so borrowed one from a friend.
I divided the mixture into half and churned one half in an ice cream maker but left the other one un-churned. I simply put it in a freezable container and left it in the freezer for 5 hours.
No one could tell the difference between the two. No joke! That left me feeling like an ice cream maker was an unnecessary luxury and I was just fine without one.
The vanilla base for this amarena gelato is a combination of double cream or whipping cream and sweet and condensed milk. I know I already got your attention by the mere mention of sweet and condensed milk. That stuff is pure magic!
I also added a splash of Creme de Cassis because a bit of alcohol prevents ice-crystals from forming and helps create silky smooth texture. It doesn’t taste boozy at all, I promise you!
Storage and leftovers
This gelato can be stored for two weeks with no issues, although keeping it up to a month is possible.
The key is to keep air away from it so ice crystals don’t form. Use an This is an affiliate link.airtight container and place a layer of parchment paper or plastic wrap over the gelato to seal it a bit more.
More frozen desserts
- Cappuccino Daim Ice Cream Sandwiches
- Blackberry and Pistachio Ice Cream Eton Mess
- Waffle Ice Cream Sandwiches
- Eton Mess Semifreddo
Amarena Gelato
Ingredients
- 500ml / 2 cups ml double cream/whipping cream
- 400g / 14oz g condensed milk, one tin
- 2 tsp This is an affiliate link.vanilla extract
- 3 tbsp This is an affiliate link.amarena cherries, chopped
- 2 tbsp amarena syrup, can use syrup from the cherries
- 3 tbsp Creme de Cassis , or any other flavour you love
Instructions
- Whip double cream with sweet and condensed milk and vanilla essence just until soft peaks form. Don't overbeat, we are not looking for whipped cream here. Fold in creme de cassis.
- If using an ice cream machine, pour the vanilla base in and start churning for 10-15 minutes. Gently swirl chopped cherries in and put in the freezer to firm up for 5-7 hours.
- If not using an ice cream machine pour in the vanilla base into a freezer safe container and put in the freezer for 1 hour. Remove from the freezer and swirl in chopped cherries, continue freezing for 5-7 hours.
- Before serving sprinkle with the syrup from the preserves.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I haven’t tried the recipe yet but am having a hard time finding the double cream. Can heavy whipping cream be substituted for that and will it affect the recipe and texture too much?
Thanks!
Hi Audra, yes you can use heavy whipping cream, in fact it is listed as an alternative ingredient in the recipe card. Enjoy!
Hi! I am excited to try this recipe. Is the alcohol necessary? I know it keeps it from getting icy but we do not use alcohol at all.
Might you know of a substitute to keep it from getting icy?
Thank you!
You can actually omit alcohol in this recipe, Margarita. It won’t turn icy because of the sweet and condensed milk.
Excellent!! Creamy and delicious!!
It’s definitely my top 5 ice cream flavours!
Is there anywhere in Melbourne I can buy Amarena Gelato? I am desperate for it but too lazy to make it.
Thanks.
Hi Steve, I often feel desperate for it and that is why I developed this recipe! It’s seriously the easiest ice cream ever, just mix everything and freeze. I have no clue what’s available in Melbourne, I live in London. Good luck! 🙂
How did I miss this post — it’s wonderful. I’m interested to try the method of whipping the cream and milk first, that sounds like it would result in an extra creamy texture. Your photos are absolutely stunning!
Oh they look gorgeous. In Ireland there is barely ever warm enough for me to crave ice cream, but I actually love the fact how many different flavours you can incorporate. I don’t know why Amarena cherries aren’t more popular, they are delicious in all desserts.
It’s barely warm enough in England but my kids eat ice cream in any weather! I completely agree with you on Amarena cherries, they are virtually unknown in North America and it’s such a shame!
Absolutely delicious! Anything with condensed milk always has me drooling 😀
I LOVE, LOVE everything about this post. You made the perfect gelato!
Gorgeous gelato, a perfect summer treat!
Wow!!! That looks so a-ma-zing especially considering the kind of weather we’ve been having today. I love cherries and the condensed milk certainly caught my attention!
I keep meaning to buy an ice cream machine but am glad you are including both methods until I do! If you have any recommendations re: ice cream maker do let me know.
Thank you, Lucy! I do hope the weather will hold! As far as ice cream machines I have no idea. I am looking to buy one by Andrew James, it’s inexpensive compared to the other ones, I have their stand mixer and it’s been great.
This looks fabulous! I make ice cream often, but have never tried to make gelato at home. I’m going to try this next, for sure.
Thank you Jennifer! I was always under the impression that homemade ice cream turns out a bit too icy but this one is so smooth, also amarena cherries make it! 🙂