Sicilian Chocolate Gelato with Bourbon and Dark Chocolate Chips

Sicilian Chocolate Gelato with Bourbon and Dark Chocolate Chips
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Ice cream for a Friday Cocktail? OK, maybe I’m stretching it just a bit but this ice cream, unlike the Blueberry and Basil Martini pops I did recently, offers up bourbon in a most evident way so of course I thought it absolutely appropriate!

This started innocently enough; I saw the Twitter account for Scharffenberger Chocolate tweet something about ice cream so I asked if they had a link for some on their site. Included in a list of ice creams was one for a Sicilian chocolate gelato. Using milk instead of heavy cream was appealing; as much as I’m loving the whole ice cream thing…I’m thinking I had better find a lot of sorbets and gelatos to satisfy my urge to create or I won’t be able to waddle into the kitchen!

Their recipe was very straightforward; milk, sugar, cocoa and then some corn starch to thicken the mixture before putting it through the paces to turn it into ice cream. Easy enough, right? Well, not quite so fast there pardner…nothing is ever THAT easy.

First, I didn’t have enough cocoa left in the Scharffenberger tin that was in my cupboard; drat, this was going to require a shopping trip? Luckily I spied a bag of cocoa I had forgotten that I had purchased from my local Savory Spice Shop. Their stock offered a cocoa that was not ‘Dutch processed’ and as I discovered in reading that almost empty tin, Scharffenberger does not process their cocoa either; maybe that is why I love it so much. Dutch processed chocolate has been treated with an alkali to neutralize its natural acidity. I like that the flavor of the unprocessed cocoa is more bittersweet so in that realm I was still good to go.

Second? I can never leave something alone. I love the Jack Daniels Chocolate, Chocolate Chip from Liks, a local ice cream shop. Though I’ve tried, the owner won’t part with his recipe and I get that…but it didn’t stop me from wanting to make it myself so why not now? No problem for me to quickly sub the Jack with my favorite bourbon, Maker’s Mark. I also remembered that I had a stash of amazing Hotel Chocolat chocolates from a giveaway on my friend Ken’s blog at Hungry Rabbit NYC  – so with my cocoa in hand, booze at the ready and my chocolate bar chopped into shards, I was ready to roll. Although I was re-creating something that was most definitely ice cream, I was so looking forward to trying the Sicilian gelato recipe; using 1% milk instead of heavy cream. If it was satisfying that would be an exciting twist in my ice cream journey that has just started. I admit, I did add just a bit of half and half to up the cream factor a bit and the resulting ice cream/gelato/cocktail that was born was perfect.

I asked my neighbors Karen and Terry over to be my ‘testers.’ I actually offered them a smorgasboard of frozen treats. We started with this bing cherry sorbet with cava, moved on to Blueberry Basil Martini popsicles and then the dessert course of our desserts was this chocolate and bourbon gelato. Yes…it was fun!

How did the gelato go over? The richness from the chocolate combined with the bourbon and chocolate chips made for a completely swoonworthy treat…it might be called gelato but my company just called it amazing!

By the way, you know this is a blog where I take photos of REAL food right? So this is the real deal…real ice cream that will become melting ice cream within minutes. No Crisco or other faux blends that make taking photos easier but are inedible. So yes, you really can lick the screen!

Sicilian Chocolate Gelato with Bourbon and Dark Chocolate Chips

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 7 minutes

Yield: 3-4 servings

Sicilian Chocolate Gelato with Bourbon and Dark Chocolate Chips

Sicilian gelato is light and refreshing yet with good ingredients it's also a very satisfyingly rich dessert.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups whole milk
  • 1/4 cup half and half
  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup Unsweetened Natural Cocoa Powder
  • 1-1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup bourbon
  • 1/4 - 1/2 cup chopped chocolate or chocolate chips

Preparation

  1. In medium saucepan bring 2 cups of the milk to a simmer.
  2. Combine the sugar, cocoa, and cornstarch into a bowl and whisk in the remaining cup of milk and half and half.
  3. Scrape the cocoa mixture into the hot milk. Cook, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens and bubbles a little at the edges.
  4. Stir and cook for 2 minutes longer.
  5. Remove from heat and stir in the bourbon with a whisk.
  6. Pour the mixture into a clean bowl and cover the surface of the mixture with plastic wrap. Chill without stirring until very cold to the touch. (I put mine into the freezer for about 45 minutes to speed it up a bit).
  7. Freeze according to the instructions with your ice cream maker. Because the mixture is thick to begin with it may take less time than average in your ice cream maker.
  8. Add chocolate chips and just mix in.
  9. Put mixture into container and freeze for at least 4 hours before serving.

Notes

If you don't have an ice cream maker, you can make an icy granita or fudge pops with the same recipe.

http://www.creative-culinary.com/makers-markchocolate-gelato-with-dark-chocolate-chips/

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{ 54 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Mari September 3, 2012 at 8:53 am

The basic mixture is cooling now….will make it before dinner, but I tasted the mix on the whisk and it was glorious. I am eating a small dinner so I will have lots of room for the gelato.CANT WAIT

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2 Creative Culinary September 3, 2012 at 3:59 pm

I hope you love it like we did…so rich you would never know it wasn’t filled with cream in that mix! Now I want to make some more!

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3 shabana August 12, 2012 at 11:47 pm

I wanna receive all recepies

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4 marla August 12, 2012 at 12:33 pm

Such a beautiful ice cream ~ love the bourbon twist.

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5 Creative Culinary August 12, 2012 at 4:51 pm

Thanks Marla…me too; not a heavy touch but definitely there and definitely good.

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6 Bunkycooks August 12, 2012 at 11:08 am

Swoonworthy is right! Dark chocolate and bourbon…you are speaking my language. Forget the cocktail and eat the ice cream. :-)
Bunkycooks Most Recent Post: Sole Meunière (Filetto di Sogliola al Limone) from Lidia’s Favorite Recipes

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7 Creative Culinary August 12, 2012 at 4:50 pm

Yes ma’am…done!

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8 Jamie August 12, 2012 at 5:57 am

Wow Wow Wow! Swoonworthy, indeed! You are doing this to me on purpose, just to get me to visit, aren’t you? It’s working! Amazing chocolate ice cream and I’m crazy to try it with the bourbon! Stunning and, in my humble opinion, better than a straightforward cocktail! Perfect!!!
Jamie Most Recent Post: GOAT CHEESE TOMATO QUICHE

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9 Creative Culinary August 12, 2012 at 7:42 am

If it’s working I’ll keep it up. It really was pretty wonderful…a great combination of flavors but always with a light touch with the booze. It was perfect.

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10 Jen @ Savory Simple August 11, 2012 at 3:24 pm

This sounds decadent! Bourbon in chocolate ice cream. I love it.
Jen @ Savory Simple Most Recent Post: My Top 30 Kitchen Tips

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11 Creative Culinary August 12, 2012 at 7:40 am

Thanks Jen…and it is and I love it too. So glad I took the plunge and sorry for Liks; I can now make ice cream in about the time it took me to drive there and back. Happy Days!

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12 carol | a cup of mascarpone August 11, 2012 at 2:48 pm

Just say the word gelato…and I’m on it! Add in the word chocolate…and I’m on it even more! Then say bourbon…well, I’ll leave it at that! :) This looks sensational!!!

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13 Creative Culinary August 12, 2012 at 7:39 am

Thank you…even though I snuck in a bit of half and half; there is nothing about this treat that isn’t rich…sort of eye opening for me really. There will be more gelatos (or is that gelatoes? :)

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14 Wendy August 11, 2012 at 2:13 pm

Oh how I wish I was your neighbor so that I could sample some of your gelato. It sounds so sinful which means it must be incredible!
Wendy Most Recent Post: The Saddest Pomegranate Margaritas Ever!

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15 Creative Culinary August 12, 2012 at 7:37 am

It is sinfully incredible. I should have started this ice cream business in June; now it’s all I want to do. Ice cream and booze…oh no not another blog name change! (Kidding)

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16 Kristen August 11, 2012 at 1:52 pm

I’m dying…seriously. DYING.
Kristen Most Recent Post: How to Make Baking Powder Substitute

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17 Donna Young August 11, 2012 at 7:56 am

Those flavors together have my mouth watering! I would love to give that recipe a whirl.

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18 Creative Culinary August 11, 2012 at 12:22 pm

Then do it! And if you do let me know…it’s really a special treat.

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19 Paula August 11, 2012 at 7:40 am

I’d belly up to any gelato cocktail bar for a taste of this! So happy that those of us without an ice cream maker can try doing this recipe with fudge pops!!
Paula Most Recent Post: Blueberry Crumble Pie

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20 Creative Culinary August 11, 2012 at 12:22 pm

I should be a salesperson for them…the new ones make it SO easy. Maybe too easy? :)

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21 angela@spinachtiger August 11, 2012 at 6:16 am

Never mind, Barbara, I see it now. at the end. Must be my eyes. It all sounds so good. Lucky neighbors.
angela@spinachtiger Most Recent Post: Sweet Potato Tacos Three Ways

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22 Creative Culinary August 11, 2012 at 12:21 pm

I think they think they are too! Let me know if you try it!

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23 angela@spinachtiger August 11, 2012 at 6:14 am

I thought there was bourbon, but I’m looking in recipe and don’t see it. I would love to make this with Jack Daniels (our Tennessee whiskey made not far from here).
angela@spinachtiger Most Recent Post: Sweet Potato Tacos Three Ways

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24 Baker Street August 11, 2012 at 1:32 am

Wow! I’d totally be available to come and try all your delicious frozen treats! Love the sprinkle of chocolate chips in my gelato!
Baker Street Most Recent Post: Chocolate Cinnamon Bread

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25 Creative Culinary August 11, 2012 at 12:21 pm

My neighbors never complain I will tell you that; but they also never comment. Boo hoo. :)

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26 Lisa August 11, 2012 at 12:56 am

Well..I guess the kids ain’t getting any..so more for all of us! I’m not a dark chocolate or hooch person, as you know..but I think you’d have to hold me back from devouring this gorgeous gelato!
Lisa Most Recent Post: Chocolate Chunk Strawberry Malted Loaf for Twelve Loaves

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27 Creative Culinary August 11, 2012 at 12:13 pm

Funny but I’m not a dark chocolate lover either; think that’s why I loved the gelato; it was lighter and then I did enjoyed the occasional bite of dark chocolate. Hooch…you make me laugh!

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28 Isabella August 11, 2012 at 12:11 am

Making this tomorrow, can’t wait!! What size ice cream maker do you use?

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29 Creative Culinary August 11, 2012 at 12:12 pm

I have a 1.5 qt unit and it was plenty big enough for this batch.

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30 Amanda August 10, 2012 at 8:02 pm

Barbara, this looks positively heavenly!
Amanda Most Recent Post: Homemade Freezer French Toast Sticks

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31 Maureen | Orgasmic Chef August 10, 2012 at 6:12 pm

I love that you take photos of real food without any tricks. I had someone write to me recently to tell me how to doctor up my food so it would look better.

I can only imagine my husband’s face as he pulled out a steaming tampon from his plate. :)

Your gelato sounds fantastic!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef Most Recent Post: Peanut Butter Tart w/ Shortbread Crust and Chocolate Ganache Glaze

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32 Creative Culinary August 10, 2012 at 7:51 pm

Isn’t that the truth. I went once to a food styling class. Did me very little good. I’m not cooking a meal and then slathering Kitchen Bouquet on it and I’m certainly not putting Fix-O-Dent for dentures in crevices of steak. I can see if you are doing it professionally and food is under lights, etc but here…it’s about the food we eat. Not the dental paste and heaven forbid not the tampons. Ewwww.

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33 Lora @cakeduchess August 10, 2012 at 2:16 pm

You made Sicilian gelato for your Sicilian friend-me!:)grazie! Love the photos -so tempting. Of course you could make chocolate even better with that perfect amount of Bourbon. Love it!
Lora @cakeduchess Most Recent Post: Warm Apple-Cornmeal Upside-Down Cake

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34 Creative Culinary August 10, 2012 at 7:49 pm

I ‘almost’ didn’t use the word Sicilian in the title but truth is…I did do it JUST for you!! Not kidding.

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35 hima August 10, 2012 at 11:20 am

your posts have totally inspired me to pull out the ice cream maker. though i was thinking of some sorbet using local melons.
hima Most Recent Post: Pins of the week: S’mores

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36 Creative Culinary August 10, 2012 at 7:48 pm

Sorbet with melons now would be perfect; I got one in my csa box; was thinking I might try the same thing.

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37 Brian @ A Thought For Food August 10, 2012 at 10:48 am

Bourbon and chocolate are the perfect match… Oh what I would do for a scoop of this now. It’s so freakin’ hot out there, it’s Friday and I’m ready for some sweets and booze. :-)
Brian @ A Thought For Food Most Recent Post: Grilled Corn and Kale Salad

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38 Creative Culinary August 10, 2012 at 7:47 pm

Do you have an ice cream maker? Make it silly? If not…the new self contained ones where you freeze the container it gets mixed in? Priceless. Heaven. Perfect. Easy. Can you tell I love it???

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39 mick rosacci August 10, 2012 at 9:08 am

Great recipe, great pics!

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40 Creative Culinary August 10, 2012 at 7:46 pm

Thanks Mick! Shoot I meant to get by today for some bacon. Guess I will just have to eat some ice cream!

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41 Elle August 10, 2012 at 8:52 am

Oh, how it calls to me! It”s drop dead gorgeous, Barb!
Elle Most Recent Post: Browned Butter Sugar Cookie Ice Cream

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42 Creative Culinary August 10, 2012 at 7:46 pm

Thanks Elle; hope you try some. Not too much…that’s reall booze in there; you’ll quickly be saying scoopawhowhatta?

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43 Lana @ Never Enough Thyme August 10, 2012 at 8:45 am

Be still my heart. ‘Nuf said.
Lana @ Never Enough Thyme Most Recent Post: Pork Chops with Potatoes

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44 Creative Culinary August 10, 2012 at 7:45 pm

I believe this falls under ‘just what the doctor ordered’ Lana.

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45 Kate | Food Babbles August 10, 2012 at 7:57 am

This sounds so good!! Your scoops look so perfect (I can never accomplish that) and make me want to take a lick. Love this recipe!
Kate | Food Babbles Most Recent Post: Thyme Goat Cheese Tart with Fresh Berries

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46 Creative Culinary August 10, 2012 at 7:44 pm

I’ve been playing with enough popsicles and ice cream to find a few things help. Put a plate into the freezer to get cold. Then scoop your ice cream onto the plate and put back into the freezer. Have everything setup and ready to go and then grab those pups and shoot. It doesn’t hurt to not do it when it’s 90 degrees outside but then I don’t have air…so no duh huh? :)

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47 Jane Bauer Noplainjaneskitchen August 10, 2012 at 7:28 am

I know what I’m making this weekend! I bought an ice cream maker that was waiting for me when I arrived home from a long, hot business trip. Cinnamon ice cream was the first, very good experiment and this chocolate gelato will be the second. Thank you for sharing.
Jane Bauer Noplainjaneskitchen Most Recent Post: Good Friday Dinner-Brooklyn Memories

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48 Creative Culinary August 10, 2012 at 7:43 pm

So you got a toy too? I have loved this thing Jane; so easy. And this? OH SO GOOD!! I do not lie.

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49 Kelley {mountain mama cooks} August 10, 2012 at 7:24 am

You’ve outdone yourself here! Definitely making this soon. It has my two favorite things: bourbon and chocolate!
Kelley {mountain mama cooks} Most Recent Post: Two Perfect Picnic Recipes

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50 Creative Culinary August 10, 2012 at 7:42 pm

Thank you my dear…it is truly worth making. And I truly with I could sign up for your site via EMAIL!!

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51 Karen Harris August 10, 2012 at 7:04 am

Sometimes the simple things are the best and this does indeed look like the best. I could definitely lick the screen if I thought it might do me any good. Instead I think I’ll just try this recipe. My ice cream freezer that I just had to have last summer has remained idle this year so I better get with it before fall arrives.
Karen Harris Most Recent Post: Something a Little Weird and Wonderful for Your Next BBQ: Pea and Pickle Salad

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52 Creative Culinary August 10, 2012 at 7:41 pm

These new fangled ice cream makers are so doggone easy it could be dangerous; already thinking about winter flavors. Cinnamon will surely go with bourbon. Or rum. :)

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53 Rosa August 10, 2012 at 6:09 am

What a great ice cream flavor! Really droolworthy.

Cheers,

Rosa

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54 Creative Culinary August 10, 2012 at 7:40 pm

Thanks Rosa…and enough booze I have to be careful to not have that drool get out of control. :)

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