Gulab Jamun Gelato

This super simple Gulab Jamun Gelato recipe combines pillow-soft gulab jamun with ice cream. Make this easy recipe at home in just 15 minutes using a blender or hand-held mixer. 

Alright, I’m going to admit something that is going to shock you: I hated ice cream growing up. Call me an unusual kid, but my family would buy Indian ice creams from the store and we would all collectively complain about how the flavor was so artificial. One look at the ingredients list and you’d probably never even touch ice cream again! 

It wasn’t that I didn’t like the Indian flavors, but more so that these grocery store brands were not doing them justice. As I grew up, I learned to love the rich, creamy texture of ice cream and how well it pairs with traditional Indian desserts. (If you want proof of that, check out my Carrot Halwa Ice Cream Cookies and Ras Malai Ice Cream recipes.)

Given that gulab jamun is my absolute favorite Indian dessert, I knew I needed to make (yet another) fusion dessert recipe using it. My Gulab Jamun Gelato recipe is a clean, almost-guilt-free ice cream option that takes just minutes to make.

The best part about this recipe is that it is so simple! You can break this one out to wow your guests on occasions like Diwali or simply indulge yourself – all in 15 minutes.

Ice cream can be made in so many different ways, but the reality is that it is such a simple process. Rather than feel overwhelmed by all the equipment you need, I wanted to present you with a straightforward ice cream recipe.

This Gulab Jamun Gelato can be made in a blender or using a hand-held mixer, so you don’t have to worry about a fancy ice cream machine or anything like that. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t get fancy if you want. 

Drizzle some chocolate or caramel syrup on top and add some crushed pistachios or edible rose petals to elevate the presentation of your dish. No-nonsense gelato + fancy serving = fine dining if you ask me. 

You can make this gelato recipe days ahead and pack it into small ice cream containers (which you can find on Amazon) and have them ready to go in your freezer for your guests when they arrive – or for yourself when you’re craving something even better than your favorite tub of Ben & Jerry’s. 

Not only does this impress your guests, but there is almost zero real preparation behind this dessert. Besides, work smarter not harder, right? 

An added bonus is that you can use this gelato to make an affogato. Traditionally known as “affogato al caffe,” affogato is an Italian dessert that combines gelato or ice cream and a shot of hot espresso. I mean, who wouldn’t want a dollop of gelato on top of their espresso or coffee?

Tips & Tricks

This gelato recipe is perfect for when you’re having people over and want something to impress them without all the hard work. We all know that when you’re entertaining, there’s usually more than just cooking that you’re responsible for, so here are some tips and tricks you can use to help make this even easier on you:

• Use store-bought gulab jamun or use any leftovers you have from my Gulab Jamun Donut recipe. Either of these options is great, especially around Diwali season, because you can serve the gulab jamun in different ways, which gives you more with less.
• Make the gelato the day before or at least 6-8 hours before you are ready to serve. The gelato needs time to set, so plan ahead!
• While you can definitely store the gelato in one pint or ice cream container, you can also transfer it into small single-serving cups with lids (which you can find on Amazon). Now, instead of scooping out of a pint and serving multiple people, you can simply let each guest grab a cup for some fuss-free deliciousness.
• If you need a dairy-free version, you can simply use dairy-free milk, heavy whipping cream, and/or sweetened condensed milk of your choice, and it still comes out delicious!