Lavender Peach Gelato

Total Time

Prep: 40 min. + chilling Process: 20 min. + freezing

Makes

3 cups

Updated: Nov. 29, 2023
This sophisticated herbal gelato can be served as an appetizer, a palate-pleaser between courses or a sweet, elegant dessert that tastes like heaven on a spoon. —Christine Wendland, Browns Mills, New Jersey
Lavender Peach Gelato Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 2 cups 2% milk
  • 2 tablespoons cardamom pods, crushed
  • 1 tablespoon dried lavender flowers
  • 1 vanilla bean
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 5 large egg yolks, beaten
  • 2 medium peaches, peeled and finely chopped

Directions

  1. In a large heavy saucepan, combine milk, cardamom pods and lavender. Split vanilla bean and scrape seeds; add bean and seeds to milk mixture. Heat until bubbles form around side of pan. Remove from heat; cover and let steep for 10 minutes. Strain, discarding flowers and spices.
  2. Return milk to heat; stir in sugar. Cook until bubbles form around side of pan. Whisk a small amount of hot mixture into egg yolks. Return all to pan, whisking constantly.
  3. Cook and stir over low heat until mixture is thickened and coats the back of a spoon. Quickly transfer to a bowl; place bowl in ice water and stir for 2 minutes. Press waxed paper onto surface of custard. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight.
  4. Fill cylinder of ice cream maker two-thirds full; freeze according to manufacturer’s directions. When gelato is frozen, stir in peaches. Transfer to a freezer container; freeze for 2-4 hours before serving.
Lavender Flowers
Look for dried lavender flowers in spice shops. If using lavender from the garden, make sure it hasn't been treated with chemicals.

Nutrition Facts

1/2 cup: 206 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 177mg cholesterol, 47mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (32g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein.