This post was originally published here May 22, 2015. I’ve since adjusted the recipe and updated the text and photographs. I hope you try out this dreamy, creamy mash-up of Summer flavors!
If Nutella S’mores Gelato isn’t the best way to usher in Summer this Memorial Day Weekend, then I don’t know what is. This recipe combines two beloved Summer classics (s’mores and ice cream/gelato) into one epic dessert creation. And I want to eat it every single day from now until Labor Day Weekend.
Does anybody want to challenge me to that? I would gladly accept!
This decadent gelato starts with a rich dark chocolate and Nutella custard base. And it’s finished with the addition of graham crackers and marshmallows. And to really make sure you bring those true campfire vibes home to this gelato, I highly recommend you toast your marshmallows before churning them into the custard base. This REALLY makes a difference. And I even like to “over toast” my marshmallows (some may say “char”), so I get even more of that smoky flavor into the creamy gelato.
Because this Nutella S’mores Gelato recipe does require an ice cream maker, please be sure you plan far enough ahead before embarking on this dessert journey. You’ll need to adequately chill your canister (I usually leave mine in the freezer overnight) AND the custard base before attempting the churn the gelato. And after churning, the gelato will require a couple more hours in the freezer to firm up from the soft serve stage to a more scoopable consistency.
I know this Memorial Day Weekend probably didn’t feel like the Summer kick-off we’re all used to celebrating. But I hope you’ve still been able to find some moments of fun and relaxation. And if you try out my Nutella S’mores Gelato recipe this Summer, please let me know!
Cheers,
Liz
Nutella S’mores Gelato
Ingredients
- 4 egg yolks
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1/3 cup Nutella (or your favorite chocolate hazelnut spread)
- 4 ounces dark chocolate, roughly chopped
- 10-12 marshmallows
- 1 cup graham cracker pieces
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, heavy cream, sugar and salt. Set aside.
- In a large heavy bottom saucepan set over medium-high heat, combine the milk and Nutella, stirring frequently, until the Nutella is dissolved and small bubbles have started to form around the edge of the pan, about 5 minutes. Do not let the mixture come to a boil.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and quickly whisk about 1/2 cup of the warm milk mixture into the egg yolk mixture. Then pour this mixture back into the saucepan, whisking constantly as you do so.
- Place the saucepan back over medium heat and cook the custard, stirring with a wooden spoon, until it’s thicken, about 5-6 minutes. Do not let the custard come to a boil. The custard should be thick enough to coat the back of the spoon.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add the chopped chocolate and stir until it’s fully melted and smooth. Then strain the custard through a fine mesh strainer into a clean bowl. Discard any collected solids.
- Cover the custard with plastic wrap, pushing the plastic wrap directly down onto the surface of the custard to prevent a skin from forming, and refrigerate it until it’s completely chilled, at least 4 hours or up to 24 hours.
- Pre-heat your broiler to high. Spread the marshmallows out onto a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Then place the baking sheet under your broiler and toast the marshmallows until they are darkened in some places. This doesn’t take long, so keep an eye on them the entire time and rotate the baking sheet as necessary. Remove and set aside.
- Pour the chilled custard into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Once the custard is nearly frozen and the consistency of soft serve, add in the toasted marshmallows and graham cracker pieces. You may have to stop your ice cream maker and do this final step by hand, depending on the capacity of your ice cream maker.
- Transfer the ice cream to a freezer safe container. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze until completely firm, at least 4 hours or up to 3 days.
Notes
Recipe inspired by Williams-Sonoma Ice Cream.
Oh my! I’ve been curious as to where your toasted marshmallows were going. What a great destination!! Gelato perfection 🙂
They landed in the perfect spot I think. Ha! Thanks, Jennifer!
I plan to wash down all my bbq-ed foods with this gelato over the weekend. Those marshmallows? Bangarang. Can I make ice cream s’mores by sandwiching this between two graham crackers please and thank you? Have a great weekend!
I like how you think! This is why we are friends! XOXO!
Yum! I just made an ice cream like this recently and it was to. die. for. Gotta love anything chocolate! I may even forgo the cone and go directly spoon to mouth. Have a great weekend!
Whatever gets ice cream into our mouths fastest works for me!
I’m going to invite myself over and lick a few of these cones up, ok?(That sounded weird and creepy, plz ignore my weirdness!). Have a lovely weekend dear, I hope it’s filled with beer+dogs+a belly full of ice cream! xo
I always enjoy your weirdness! Have a great weekend, friend!
Got to love anything nutella-esque combined with lighting things on fire! Looks divine!
Best combination ever!
Liz!!! I LOVE gelato!!! in fact, I just got a cookbook yesterday!!! love this!!!! I’m all about the cold, yummy desserts over Memorial Day weekend. . and the toasted marshmallows .. oh my gawd!
Thanks, Alice! I see lots of gelato and ice cream in your future!
OMG. Please, please make this for me. This is everythinggggg.
As you wish, my dear!
Thank goodness you have this gelato to balance out all you pyromania! Nutella and toasted marshmallows? I’ll be right over!
Come on over, Rachelle!
It’s only 9:15 in the morning and I want a big bowl of this! Charred marshmallows and chocolate will do that to me every time — this is my kind of ice cream!
I may or may not have eaten some of this at 9am! 🙂
Too good Liz! Obsessed with this gelato! The flavors just scream summer. Hope you have a great 3 day weekend friend!
Same to you, Natalie!
Liz I am drooling over this one!!! Chocolate marshmallow is my favorite!! Reminds me of my Dad!!
That’s so great to hear, Mary Ann!
Okay…..this looks so good right now!!!! (*insert drool on chin)
I’ll bring you some when I come visit! 🙂
This is seriously drool-worthy! What a brilliant to put the toasted marshmallows in the ice cream. So good!
Thanks, Thao! I’m smitten too!
This is just pure genius. I love rocky road ice cream – how had I never considered toasting the marshmallows first!? Drooling on my keyboard….
Thanks, Marissa! I hope you try it out! Toasting the marshmallows makes a huge difference!
Ohhhh yum! This is like all sorts of nutella/smores combo heaven here! Gelato is one of my weaknesses 🙂
One of my weaknesses too!
Yum! This gelato just screams perfection! Love the toasted marshmallows and Nutella! Perfect for ringing in the weekend!
Totally perfect for the weekend! Thanks, Kelly! 🙂
Yes please! This looks amazing!!!
Coming right up, Amanda!
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Whoa! This looks insane! Those toasted marshmallows!
Yeah, the toasted marshmallows are definitely my favorite part!
It is finally feeling like summer here, so I guess it’s officially ice cream/gelato season! Woo hoo! I saw these on facebook and couldn’t stop thinking about them! They look just perfect! Hope you have a great long week-end!
Thanks, Denise! I hope your weekend has been wonderful as well! XO
I am feeling pretty angry that I didn’t make this for myself yesterday. ULTIMATE FROZEN SUMMER TREAT. And that’s a fact.
Still plenty of time left this summer, Joanne! You got this! XO
Uhm, ARE YOU KIDDING ME with this!? Those toasty marshmallows, OMG. This looks so, so amazing. I want!!
Come on over, Jess. I’ll share with you! 🙂
Wow yum! Looks amazing and super flavourful 🙂 totally making this this summer!
Yeah, that’s awesome Mel!
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I made this recipe last evening-didn’t have enough milk on hand and substituted 2 C 1/2&1/2. Oh my it is just delicious! Also added about 2/3 C toasted chopped hazelnuts-fantastic addition! I really can’t imagine it without them! So glad I came across your recipe on Pinterest! Thanks for sharing!
Oh that’s awesome, Cindy! And glad to hear it worked will with those substitution. I’m gonna add hazelnuts next time – great idea!
Hi there!- I have been so looking forward to making your Chocolate-Hazelnut and Toasted Marshmallow Gelato and am hoping you can direct me to the original recipe or possibly send a copy- or is the above recipe essentially the same?
You can use this recipe, Cindy. Essentially the same. Just a few tweaks to make it better! 🙂