20 ice cream, gelato and sorbet recipes to make, scoop, and enjoy yourself

Frozen treats 101: understanding the difference between ice cream, gelato, and sorbet

Don’t turn your KitchenAid on just yet. Let’s talk about ice cream lingo first. While gelato, ice cream and sorbet may look similar, their ingredients, textures, and tastes aren’t. Here’s what makes each one unique.

What is ice cream?

Ice cream is made with cream, milk, sugar, and egg yolks, for a rich, smooth, and creamy taste. It’s churned with plenty of air and firms up slightly when frozen. The result? A light and airy texture that’s perfect for scooping.

What is gelato?

Compared to ice cream, gelato contains more milk, less cream, and fewer (or no) egg yolks, for a denser and silkier consistency. But less cream also means less fat coating your tongue, meaning you’ll taste the flavours more intensely. It’s also served at a slightly warmer temperature than ice cream, so you’re in for a softer, melt-away-on-your-tongue kind of experience.

What is sorbet?

No dairy? No problem. Sorbet is made with just fruit purée, water, and sugar, making it light, smooth, and extra refreshing. In general, it’s a bit icier than ice cream or gelato, which just makes the fruity, often slightly tart, flavours stand out even more. Added bonus? It works brilliantly as a palate cleanser too.

How to make ice cream from scratch in 5 basic steps

Making ice cream, gelato or sorbet at home? Easier than you think. If you keep a close eye on the mix of ingredients, flavours, and textures, you can easily whip up a creamy, scoopable treat that tastes far better than the store-bought kind. Just keep in mind these following five steps:

Step 1: Choose your base

The key to every frozen treat is its base. For ice cream and gelato, that means a mixture of milk, cream, sugar, and sometimes eggs. For sorbet, it’s a blend of fruit purée, water, and sugar. Get the proportions of the base right, and you’ll get the texture right – smooth and scoopable, not too soft, not too hard.

Step 2: Pick a flavour

Vanilla, chocolate, coffee, or fresh fruit – the options are endless. But the best way to flavour your base depends on the ingredients you’re working with. Vanilla beans, espresso grounds, or cocoa are often infused into a dairy base by gently heating it. Using fruit? Blend it for a silky sorbet, add texture by tossing in fresh chunks, or cook it down into a rich, jammy swirl for ice creams and gelatos. Just remember: about 95% of the final flavour is locked in before churning. So go bold – you don’t want your frozen dessert to taste flat.

Step 3: Chill the mixture before churning

A well-chilled base makes for creamier ice cream. So, pop your mixture in the fridge for a few hours before churning. It helps everything freeze evenly and gives the flavours a chance to develop more deeply.

Step 4: Churn it to perfection with KitchenAid Ice Cream maker

This is when the magic happens. Churning adds air to your frozen mixture, which gives ice cream and gelato their signature texture. No need to do it by hand though, just use your specially designed KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker Attachment.

Step 5: Freeze and dig in

Once churned, transfer your ice cream to a container and let it firm up in the freezer for a few hours. Ready? Scoop it up and go all out with toppings. Syrups, fresh fruit, crunchy nuts – whatever makes your taste buds tick.

Tips: store your KitchenAid ice cream maker in the freezer

You never know when the crave for ice cream is coming over. Store your ice cream bowl in the freezer so you’re always ready to churn.

20 must-try ice cream, gelato, and sorbet recipes

Classic ice cream recipes for any time you need a sure winner

1. Caramel ice cream

Remember those caramel sweets your grandma used to give you? This ice cream is just like that, only creamier, smoother, and way more indulgent. The buttery, almost toffee-like flavour gives it that classic, nostalgic taste, while the velvety smooth texture takes it to the next level. Want to dial it up? A drizzle of caramel sauce and a sprinkle of sea salt will do the trick.

2. Chocolate ice cream with sea salt

Without the salt, it’s just another chocolate ice cream. With it, the flavour goes deeper, the richness gets bolder, and every spoonful hits differently. It’s intense, luxurious and dangerously good. Especially when you sandwich it between two chocolate chip cookies or double down on that salty-sweet magic with some crushed pistachios.

3. Coffee ice cream

For coffee lovers, one scoop won’t be enough. This espresso ice cream is bold, rich, and unapologetically coffee-forward. Add a dollop of whipped cream if you’d like to take the edge off.

4. Cinnamon ice cream

If cinnamon rolls had an ice cream twin, this would be it. Mild, yet spiced, and irresistibly fragrant, every bite will envelop you in that familiar, cosy autumn flavour. Perfect on its own, but even better when melting over a slice of warm apple pie.

5. Vanilla ice cream

If vanilla sounds plain to you, you probably haven’t had it homemade. Because this DIY version is anything but basic. Rich, silky, and packed with real vanilla bean flavour, it doesn’t just complement pies and cakes, it elevates them. And that’s what a true classic is all about.

6. Strawberry ice cream

Strawberries should taste sweet and juicy, with just a hint of tartness. But have you ever tried a strawberry ice cream that actually delivers? This one does. It’s bursting with the pure, natural punch of fresh, sun-kissed strawberries. No artificial flavours, no weird aftertaste. Just fresh, fruity perfection.

7. Blackberry chocolate chip ice cream

Bittersweet meets tart. Crackly meets juicy. This blackberry chocolate chip ice cream is all about contrast, and that’s what makes it irresistible. The richness of the dark chocolate plays off the bold, slightly tangy blackberries, creating a gourmet flavour that’s as indulgent as it is refreshing. A scoop of this? Pure luxury.

8. Cookie dough ice cream

If licking the mixing bowl clean was your childhood obsession, this ice cream is about to make you feel like a kid again. In this fan favourite, velvety vanilla teams up with gooey chunks of cookie dough for the ultimate dessert mash-up. Want to go all in? Top it off with cookie crumbles for some extra crunch.

Unique ice cream recipes for any time you’re looking to impress

9. Avocado ice cream

Avocado isn’t just for toast. Here, it blends into a dreamy, velvety, dairy-free dessert that’s just as rich as real ice cream. A little unusual, a lot delicious – this is one green treat worth trying.

10. Chocolate chili gelato

First comes the chocolate – bittersweet, rich, and silky. Then, just when you think you’ve got it figured out, the chilli sneaks in with a spicy kick. The result? A bold, unexpected contrast that lingers in the best possible way. Topping tip: a drizzle of honey or a sprinkle of cinnamon makes this Mexican-inspired gelato even more memorable.

11. Lavender ice cream

You’ve smelled it in candles and bath salts, but have you ever tasted it in ice cream? This chilly treat transforms the soothing, floral aroma of lavender into something you can savour. Paired with a velvety, creamy base, it’s both delicate and indulgent. Just one lick is enough to transport you to a sun-drenched field in the south of France.

12. Coconut ice cream

Who needs cream when you have coconut? This dairy-free, frosty delicacy is impossibly creamy, lightly nutty, and proof you don’t need cream to get that silky, scoopable texture. For the full tropical experience, serve it straight from a coconut shell – preferably with your feet in the sand.

13. Yoghurt and honey ice cream

Sweet, like honey. Tangy, like yoghurt. And lighter than traditional ice cream. Because this Mediterranean-inspired treat swaps most of the heavy cream for lower-fat yoghurt. Don’t worry though, it’s still velvety smooth. Love a little texture? Sprinkle on some roasted almonds and finish with a drizzle of golden honey.

14. Mango mochi

Bite-sized balls, bursting with mango flavour – this isn’t your average ice cream. Inspired by traditional Japanese mochi, this frozen treat wraps silky mango ice cream in a pillowy rice dough shell. A little unexpected, a lot of fun to eat, and guaranteed to make you reach for another.

15. Ricotta and cinnamon ice cream

Ricotta in ice cream? You bet. This smooth, rich gelato-style treat takes inspiration from classic Italian desserts by blending the mild creaminess of ricotta with the warm spice of cinnamon. Unexpected? Maybe. Delicious? Absolutely. Try it with a drizzle of espresso or a sprinkle of crushed biscotti for the full Italian experience.

Refreshing sorbet recipes for any time you need to chill

16. Blackberry hibiscus sorbet

Straight from the garden, into your scoop. This deep purple sorbet pairs tart blackberries with the delicate floral notes of hibiscus, creating a flavour as vibrant as its colour. Surprisingly stunning, naturally vegan, and even more dazzling with a sprig of mint on top.

17. Tomato basil sorbet

You know tomato and basil as the ultimate Italian duo – on pizzas, in sauces, drizzled with olive oil. But as a sorbet? Even better. Sweet, sun-ripened tomatoes meet fragrant basil in a frozen twist that’s light, fresh, and perhaps not that surprising after all – because this duo always delivers. Serve it between courses or alongside creamy burrata for a seriously gourmet touch.

18. Sparkling strawberry sorbet

Who says you need a glass of bubbles for a toast? This strawberry sorbet brings the bubbles to your spoon. It takes summer’s sweetest, juiciest berries and gives them a fizzy upgrade with a splash of sparkling wine or soda. Scoop it into champagne glasses and let the celebration begin!

19. Mango sorbet

Some desserts don’t need an introduction. Mango sorbet is one of them. It’s smooth, tropical, and naturally sweet. No dairy, no fuss – just pure, golden goodness. The best part? It’s ready in just 35 minutes. A squeeze of lime or a sprinkle of fresh basil is all it needs to shine even brighter.

20. Raspberry sorbet

This sorbet proves that great desserts don’t need a long ingredients list. With just fresh raspberries, a little sweetness, and a churn, it turns into a bright, tangy, and unbelievably smooth frozen treat. Keep it neat or top with dark chocolate for a touch of extravagance.