• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Fresh Flavorful

  • Recipes
  • Entertaining
  • Adventuring
  • About
  • Clients
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Entertaining
  • Adventuring
  • About
  • Clients
  • Contact
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Entertaining
  • Adventuring
  • About
  • Clients
  • Contact
×
Home » Recipes » Desserts

Homemade Blueberry Gelato

Published: Jun 22, 2019 · Modified: Feb 6, 2024 by Tristin Rieken · 9 Comments

Homemade Blueberry Gelato highlights the vibrant flavor of berries by churning fresh blueberry lemon puree with sweet milk and cream custard into a smooth, dense frozen dream of a dessert.

Scoop of pastel purple blueberry gelato shown in a vintage glass dish lined with parchment.
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
Jump to:
  • Blueberry gelato recipe
  • Ice cream versus gelato?
  • Ingredients
  • Step by step instructions
  • Make gelato without an ice cream maker machine
  • Make ahead
  • Yield
  • 📖 Recipe

Blueberry gelato recipe

Blueberry gelato can be made with or without an ice cream maker. It’s the perfect make ahead dessert for summer potlucks, parties and dinners! And with all the seasonal fresh fruit at the market once you know this easy to customize method you’ll be able to whip up any delicious fruit gelato you can imagine.

Blueberry gelato in an ice cream container with a vintage ice cream scoop and blueberries on the side.

I created this recipe for a fun cooking party that my friends and I have been taking turns hosting for the last year. It was such a great make ahead recipe that is so easy to serve at the end of the meal.

By the way the night ended huddled around my kitchen counter with a handful of lifelong friends and our kids, spoons in hand enjoying homemade gelato. It was perfect.

Top down view of blueberry gelato with jadeite dishes and silver spoons on the side.

And tonight we’re off to another friend’s potluck with the theme being Italian dinner party in the forest and ironically I will not be making gelato. Instead I choose to create an Italian crostata inspired Chocolate Tart with Coffee Candied Almonds.

Blueberry ice cream with fresh blueberries.

Ice cream versus gelato?

Air, fat and temperature are the main differences between ice cream and gelato that make the latter my choice for delivering fresh vibrant flavor. With less dairy fat in the mix gelato is able to be slow churned resulting in a smooth, dense texture. With ribbons that fall from spoon to bowl rather than whipped and fluffy like ice cream. This rich texture allows gelato to be served at a higher temperature than ice cream without turning into a soupy, milky mess.

Ingredients

  • Blueberry puree – made from fresh or frozen blueberries, granulated sugar and lemon juice. To make any other fresh fruit gelato simply swap fruit of your choice for blueberry and proceed as directed. Use this same homemade ice cream recipe to make raspberry swirl ice cream, blackberry swirl ice cream, strawberry swirl ice cream or a mixed berry ice cream combination of any or all fruits. No lemon? Try mixing up the recipe with any other citrus juice like lime or orange.
  • Gelato base – a basic gelato base made with egg yolks, sugar, whole milk, heavy cream and kosher salt.

Step by step instructions

  1. Make a concentrated fresh fruit puree and chill.
  2. Make gelato custard base and chill.
  3. Then combine the two and churn whenever you’re ready! For streaks of flavor, churn the base completely (or add just a small amount of fruit), then add thick swirls of puree before freezing like this Cranberry Orange Ice Cream. Tip: store fruit puree in the same container you’ll be storing your ice cream. Do not wipe out puree after whisking into gelato base and pour churned gelato back into container for even more beautiful swirls of fruit puree.
  4. Pop in the freezer to harden before serving, about 4-5 hours at least.
  5. Scoop and serve.
  6. Enjoy!
Macro shot of blueberry gelato with a scoop in the ice cream container.

Make gelato without an ice cream maker machine

There are a few different methods for making ice cream and gelato without an ice cream maker.

  • No churn versions fold whipped cream into a custard base then freeze.
  • Or, you can hand churn gelato, stirring the freezing custard at even intervals until set, for the flavor and texture of gelato sans ice cream maker. The Stay at Home Chef‘s blog post and video outline how to make gelato by hand. If hand churning try mixing in the fresh fruit puree at different times for ribbons of contrasting flavor and texture.

Make ahead

A great make-ahead recipe for entertaining gelato can be churned up to two days in advance.

Or, prepare the fruit puree and gelato base up to 3 days in advance as it fits your schedule. Then churn and freeze at least 6 hours before serving.

Tip: store fruit puree in the same container you’ll be storing your ice cream. Do not wipe out puree after whisking into gelato base and pour churned gelato back into container for beautiful swirls of fruit puree. 

Yield

This homemade gelato recipes yields about 1 ½ pints, or 3 cups, of gelato. Typically the serving size for gelato, or ice cream, is ½ cup. So this recipe yields enough for 6 standard size servings.

📖 Recipe

Scoop of blueberry gelato in vintage glass dish.

Homemade Blueberry Gelato

Homemade Blueberry Gelato highlights the vibrant flavor of berries by churning fresh blueberry lemon puree with sweet milk and cream custard into a smooth, dense frozen dessert.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
Prep Time: 1 hour hour
Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
chilling + freezing: 6 hours hours
Total Time: 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 455kcal
Author: Tristin Rieken

Ingredients

  • 3 cups blueberries fresh or frozen
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Combine berries, sugar and lemon juice in a saucepan and let macerate 30-60 minutes. Then, place over medium heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until thicken about 10 minutes. Remove and refrigerate until cool then puree smooth, straining if desired, into an airtight container. 
  • In a large saucepan whisk the egg yolks and sugar until slightly lighter in color and well combined. Whisk in milk, cream and salt.
  • Cook mixture over medium heat, whisking frequently until it reaches 170 degrees. Remove from heat and immediately strain through a fine mesh strainer into a chilled airtight container to cool. Place in refrigerator until ready to churn, up to 3 days.
  • When ready to churn add 2 cups of fresh fruit puree to gelato base and stir to combine, reserving remaining fruit puree to swirl in or top the gelato. Churn according to manufacturer’s instructions until firm and billowing, about 30 minutes usually.
  • Transfer to airtight container and freeze until hardened at least 4-5 hours.
  • Eat within 2 days, same day preferred.

Notes

Tip: store fruit puree in the same container you’ll be storing your ice cream. Do not wipe out puree after whisking into gelato base and pour churned gelato back into container for beautiful swirls of fruit puree.

Nutrition

Calories: 455kcal | Carbohydrates: 66g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 177mg | Sodium: 339mg | Potassium: 232mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 62g | Vitamin A: 918IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 146mg | Iron: 1mg
Made this recipe? Please share!Mention @freshflavorful or tag #FreshFlavorfulLife
Nutrition Facts
Homemade Blueberry Gelato
Amount Per Serving
Calories 455 Calories from Fat 180
% Daily Value*
Fat 20g31%
Saturated Fat 12g75%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 6g
Cholesterol 177mg59%
Sodium 339mg15%
Potassium 232mg7%
Carbohydrates 66g22%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 62g69%
Protein 6g12%
Vitamin A 918IU18%
Vitamin C 8mg10%
Calcium 146mg15%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Pin for later!

Homemade Blueberry Lemon Gelato highlights the vibrant flavor of berries by churning fresh blueberry lemon puree with sweet milk and cream custard into a smooth, dense frozen dream of a dessert. blueberry recipes | blueberry lemon | blueberry ice cream | blueberry gelato | how to make gelato

More Desserts

  • Rhubarb custard pie with single crust recipe
    Rhubarb Custard Pie
  • Chocolate Pot de Creme
  • Orange Creamsicle Pavlova Pie is a delicious orange dessert made with a meringue pie crust topped with fluffy vanilla whipped cream and bright citrusy orange curd.
    Orange Creamsicle Pavlova Pie
  • Soft Gingerbread Man Cookies make the most delicious chewy gingerbread cut out cookies that stay soft for days. Gingerbread cookie recipe | gingerbread man cookies | soft gingerbread cookies | softer gingerbread cookie recipe | gingerbread cut out cookie
    Soft Gingerbread Cut Out Cookies
1635 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet

If you make this or any of Fresh Flavorful recipes be sure to share! Tag @freshflavorful on instagram or post a photo to the Fresh Flavorful Life Facebook page. Can't wait to see what you're making!

Reader Interactions

Comments

    4.50 from 16 votes (9 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




  1. Alexandra @ It's Not Complicated Recipes

    June 23, 2019 at 7:52 pm

    5 stars
    Aside from tasting delicious, this is the most beautiful gelato without a doubt – look at that amazing colour!

    Reply
  2. Terri

    June 23, 2019 at 8:25 pm

    5 stars
    This is a beautiful frozen dessert! I have never made gelato and would love to try it- thanks for the schooling on the differences between gelato and ice cream – I wasn’t aware.

    Reply
  3. Natalie

    June 23, 2019 at 9:36 pm

    5 stars
    I love blueberry and lemon together! This ice cream looks so delicious!

    Reply
  4. Brian Jones

    June 23, 2019 at 11:34 pm

    5 stars
    First time making gelato and it worked perfectly and tasted fantastic, an excellent recipe!

    Reply
  5. Emma

    June 23, 2019 at 11:49 pm

    5 stars
    This looks delicious! I love that colour! Is it all natural?! What lucky friends you have!

    Reply
    • ONE armed MAMA

      June 25, 2019 at 6:50 am

      yep, absolutely all natural! As you can see from the recipe it’s just blueberries, lemon, milk, cream and sugar 🙂

      Reply
  6. Farah Maizar

    June 24, 2019 at 12:20 am

    5 stars
    Beautiful refreshing photos and looks like a winning recipe!

    Reply
  7. Brian H.

    September 21, 2021 at 8:59 pm

    5 stars
    Creamy and richly flavored. I had extra limes so I substituted lime juice. Very good, although I’d probably try adding one more teaspoon of juice next time. I also tossed in a heaping third cup of semisweet chocolate chips five minutes before I finished churning. Quite tasty.

    Reply
    • Tristin Rieken

      September 29, 2021 at 7:37 am

      Oooooh that sounds amazing! I love the mix of lime and berries as well. Thanks for taking the time to share your results and substitutions. 🙂

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

Hi, I'm Tristin Rieken, Welcome to Fresh Flavorful where I hope to inspire you with simple seasonal recipes and ideas to eat deliciously, entertain easily and adventure often.

More about me →

Popular

  • Fresh bright purple cookies with white chocolate stacked on a tray with frozen blueberries scattered around in addition to the blueberry cookie tray.
    Chewy Blueberry Cookies

  • Cranberry cookies that are bright maroon red and covered with coarse sanding sugar to look like sparkling sugar plums are stacked high on a plate with fresh cranberries scattered around the foreground.
    Sparkling Sugarplum Cranberry Cookies

  • Banana Chiffon Cake a light, fluffy cake with tender bite and rich banana flavor. chiffon cake | chiffon cake recipe | chiffon cake with lemon glaze | ripe banana recipes
    Banana Chiffon Cake

  • Bright purple blackberry iced tea with cream garnished with lavender and fresh blackberries
    Blackberry Tea Iced Tea Latte

  • Stack of cool, creamy, chewy, crunchy rocky road chocolate macaron ice cream sandwiches.
    Rocky Road Macaron Ice Cream Sandwiches

  • Overhead view of vintage cut glass punch bowl with citrus slices and citrus and cranberry ice cubes in the beautiful bright pink cranberry paloma punch.
    Cranberry Citrus Paloma Punch

Seasonal

  • Candied Rhubarb Ribbons are the perfect chewy, sweet rhubarb recipe to enjoy as a snack or as a garnish for desserts and cocktails. candied rhubarb | sugared rhubarb | rhubarb recipe | dried rhubarb
    How to make Candied Rhubarb Ribbons

  • A mason jar filled with pink grapefruit and rhubarb paloma cocktail garnished with a rhubarb ribbon.
    Rhubarb Paloma Cocktail

  • Rhubarb Crumble on a blue plate with a scoop of bright white vanilla ice cream.
    Quick Rhubarb Crumble

  • Light blush pink mimosa in a coup glass with a bottle of champagne in the background and garnished with a rhubarb ribbon.
    Rhubarb Mimosa

See more Rhubarb →

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • About Me
  • Privacy Policy

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact
  • Services
  • Media Kit

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025 Fresh Flavorful on the Feast Plugin

1635 shares

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.