The Fior di Latte or Stracciatella ice cream is a simple and irresistible summer dessert, perfect for refreshing your afternoons or ending a meal in a delightful way. With its creamy texture and delicate milk flavor, it’s perfect for those who love natural and fresh tastes. This recipe is incredibly versatile: you can prepare it with an ice cream maker for a quick and perfect result, or without for a homemade ice cream that will surprise you. If you want to make it even more delicious, you can personalize it with stracciatella by adding dark chocolate for an extra crunchy touch. Keep reading to discover how to make Fior di Latte ice cream in two different ways, with many tips to always get the best result!
Curiosity:
Origin of the name “Fiordilatte”: the term comes from the idea of a pure and delicate product, with milk as the main character. It is a neutral and versatile base, also used in other recipes like ice cream cakes and semifreddos.
Difference with whipped cream: Fior di Latte is not as sweet as whipped cream because it has a more balanced and natural flavor, ideal for those who prefer less intense tastes.
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Very Economical
- Preparation time: 45 Minutes
- Portions: 4 People
- Cooking methods: No Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Summer
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup sugar
Tools
- 1 Bowl
- 1 Whisk
- 1 Ice Cream Maker
Preparation of the Base Mixture
Pour the milk, sugar, and heavy cream into a bowl.
Stir thoroughly with a whisk until the sugar has completely dissolved and the mixture is homogeneous.Transfer the mixture to a container suitable for the freezer.
Place the container in the freezer for at least 30 minutes or until the mixture is well chilled but not frozen.Ensure that the ice cream maker’s bowl has been pre-frozen (usually for at least 12-24 hours, following the manufacturer’s instructions).
Start the ice cream maker before pouring in the mixture to prevent it from sticking to the walls of the bowl.Pour the chilled mixture into the running ice cream maker.
Set the timer for 25 minutes and let churn until you obtain a creamy and smooth consistency.Pour the mixture into a freezer-safe container, preferably shallow and wide.
Place the container in the freezer.Every 30 minutes or so, vigorously stir the mixture with a fork or whisk to break up the ice crystals.
Continue stirring periodically until you achieve a creamy and smooth consistency (this will take several hours).If you wish to make stracciatella, add chocolate chips or cooled melted chocolate shavings to the ice cream.
Gently fold them in with a spatula once the ice cream is almost ready, before transferring it to a container for the final freezing.
Storage
Transfer the ready ice cream into an airtight container and store it in the freezer.
Consume within 1-2 weeks to ensure maximum freshness.
Transfer the ready ice cream into an airtight container and store it in the freezer.
Consume within 1-2 weeks to ensure maximum freshness.
Useful Notes
Choice of Ingredients:
Use fresh and quality ingredients: fresh heavy cream and whole milk are essential for creamy and flavorful ice cream.
Sugar is crucial not only for taste but also to prevent the ice cream from being too hard when frozen.
Attention to Temperature:
Chilling the mixture before churning helps achieve a creamier ice cream and reduces processing times, preventing ice crystals from forming.
Attention to Temperature:
Chilling the mixture before churning helps achieve a creamier ice cream and reduces processing times, preventing ice crystals from forming.
Practical Tips
Manual Churning:
If making the ice cream without an ice cream maker, use an immersion blender or mixer during stirrings to achieve a smoother texture.
Perfect Portions:
To make serving easier, dip the ice cream scoop in hot water before scooping portions.
Experimentation with Sweeteners:
You can substitute sugar with honey or agave syrup for a different taste and a slightly softer texture.
Creative Variations
Personalized Flavors:
Add a vanilla bean, grated lemon or orange zest to the mixture to flavor the fior di latte.
Try with a pinch of sea salt to enhance the flavors.
Lactose-Free Versions:
Replace milk and cream with plant-based versions (e.g., almond, coconut, or soy milk) for a lactose-free variant.
Original Stracciatella Ice Cream:
Melt dark chocolate and drizzle it over the ice cream during churning. The chocolate will solidify upon contact with the cold, creating thin and crunchy flakes.
Other Tasty Additions:
Incorporate diced fresh fruit, hazelnut crumble, chopped almonds, or caramel to enrich the flavor.
Homemade Ice Cream FAQs
Why does my homemade ice cream turn out hard once frozen?
Homemade ice cream tends to become harder compared to industrial ice cream because it doesn’t contain thickeners or stabilizers.
To reduce this effect:
Use ingredients with adequate fat content (like fresh cream and whole milk).
Stir the mixture frequently during freezing.
Add a tablespoon of alcohol (like rum or liqueur) to the mixture to lower the freezing point.How long does it take to prepare ice cream without an ice cream maker?
Preparing ice cream without an ice cream maker can take between 4 to 6 hours, as you must stir the mixture every 30 minutes or so to achieve a creamy consistency.
What containers are best for storing ice cream?
Airtight plastic or glass containers with a well-sealed lid are ideal. Ensure they are freezer-safe. To avoid ice crystal formation, cover the surface of the ice cream with plastic wrap before closing the lid.
Can I use an ice cream maker other than the accumulation type?
Yes, the procedure varies slightly:
Compressor Ice Cream Maker: Does not require pre-freezing of the bowl, so you can process the cold mixture directly.
Manual Ice Cream Maker: Requires more attention in stirring but is still effective.
The Fior di Latte or Stracciatella ice cream is a simple yet irresistible treat, perfect for the summer and for those looking for a fresh and genuine dessert. With a few ingredients and some useful tips, you can achieve creamy ice cream both with and without an ice cream maker. Don’t forget to personalize it with your favorite additions and store leftovers in the freezer for multiple indulgences. There’s nothing more satisfying than enjoying homemade ice cream, and with this recipe, it will be easy to do so every time!
