Gelato vs Ice Cream: What’s the Difference?

When it comes to frozen treats, gelato and ice cream are often used interchangeably, but they’re not quite the same. We obviously prefer soft-serve gelato at Turn Dough, and a lot of our customers will eagerly tell you how much of a difference there is between the two popular frozen desserts! However, to clear up any confusion between gelato and ice cream, let’s take a closer look at these two delightful desserts to understand their unique characteristics, histories, and flavors.

Gelato: A Closer Look 

Some people refer to gelato as the more decadent relative of ice cream. Most people know gelato has European roots, Italian to be precise, and anyone who has ever had a scoop will tell you that this indulgent dessert is far more velvety and smooth, sometimes with an even more profoundly creamy flavor. Let’s take a look at gelato’s origins. 

History 

Gelato’s history dates back to ancient civilizations, but it became popularized in Italy during the Renaissance. Its rich heritage and artisanal craftsmanship contribute to its esteemed reputation as a luxurious dessert.

How It’s Made 

Gelato is made with a higher proportion of milk to cream compared to ice cream, resulting in a denser texture and more intense flavor. It’s churned at a slower speed, incorporating less air and yielding a smoother, creamier consistency. Soft-serve gelato is a twist on traditional gelato with a lighter and airier texture, a softer consistency, and a unique velvety mouthfeel.

Popular Flavors

Classic gelato flavors include pistachio, stracciatella, and hazelnut, but modern variations like salted caramel and passionfruit have gained popularity for their bold and innovative taste profiles. While gelato flavors can be more artisanal than ice cream, the traditional vanilla and chocolate flavors are still just as popular. 

Ice Cream: A Closer Look 

Ice cream has a reputation for being a favorite American dessert, but this frozen treat actually had meager beginnings in China. From its humble beginnings to the myriad of flavors and variations available today, ice cream continues to captivate taste buds and bring joy to people of all ages. 

History 

Ice cream has a long and storied history, originating in ancient China before spreading to Europe and eventually America. Its evolution over the centuries has led to the diverse range of flavors and variations enjoyed today.

How It’s Made 

Traditional ice cream is made with a higher fat content and is churned at a faster speed, resulting in a light and airy texture. It typically contains more cream than milk and is frozen at a lower temperature. Ice cream can also be whipped with even more air to create “soft-serve” ice cream. 

Popular Flavors 

From classic favorites like vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry to indulgent varieties such as cookies and cream and rocky road, ice cream offers a wide array of flavors to suit every palate.

Turn Dough: Signature Chimney Cakes + Soft Serve Gelato = Pure Bliss 

Which do you prefer: ice cream or gelato? At Turn Dough, we’re bringing ice cream lovers to our side one freshly baked chimney cake filled with soft-serve gelato at a time! Swing by either of our ice cream shops in Venice Beach or Hollywood Blvd to discover why nothing compares to our signature vanilla bean gelato infused with a mouthwatering collection of ingredients!