Acai Berry Gelato is a dreamy frozen delight that beats the heat and satisfies your sweet tooth. Not only does this creamy ice cream look beautiful, but the unique acai berry is healthy also!
What Are Acai Berries?
Acai berries are small, dark blue berries that resemble blueberries. They com from the Acai Palm, which primarily grows in the Amazon area of South America. Some studies show that acai fruit pulp is even richer in antioxidants than cranberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, or blueberries.
Where Do I Get Acai Berries?
Trader Joe's and other grocery stores will have acai berry pulp in the freezer case near other frozen fruits. The acai berry seed is larger than the fruit, so the berries are processed and sold as frozen pulp)
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Summertime screams for ice cream - but why not try something a bit out of the ordinary this season? Acai berry gelato is delicious, creamy, and sure to delight everyone's taste buds!
Not only is Acai Berry gelato incredibly easy and quick to make, but this refreshing option is also healthier than traditional ice cream. With its vibrant color and wonderfully creamy texture paired with deliciously sweet berry flavors, this luscious dish will quickly become a family favorite.
- Easy. All you need is a blender and a few simple ingredients. You can make this acai berry gelato recipe with or without an ice cream maker also!
- Versatile. Serve it plain or top it with your favorite fruits, nuts, and granola.
- Healthy. Acai berry gelato has an amazing flavor, but all of those health benefits from the acai berries within are something your body deserves.
Jump to:
- What Are Acai Berries?
- Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Acai Berry Gelato Ingredients
- How to Make Acai Berry Gelato
- Serving Suggestions
- Related Recipes
- Substitutions and Variations
- Equipment
- Storage and Freezing
- Tips for Success
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Food Safety
- Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love
- Connect with Smells Like Delish!
- 📖 Recipe
Acai Berry Gelato Ingredients
This outrageously simple recipe will have your taste buds singing with delight – you won’t believe how good acai berry gelato is! Whip up this delicious dessert with our easy-to-follow recipe and tips.
What's The Difference Between Acai Gelato and Acai Ice Cream?
Gelato is typically made using milk, so it's a fancy way of saying 'Ice Milk'. Ice cream usually uses either half & half, or heavy cream.
The magic of making gelato seem more decadent than ice cream though is based on the churning. Gelato is churned slower so that ice crystals typically associated with 'ice milk' just don't develop!
Depending on your preference, you can make either with this recipe!
- Acai berry pulp - Frozen packets, you will want two 4 oz frozen packets of acai pulp.
- Blueberries - Fresh, pureed in your blender or mini food processor. The blueberries mellow the acidity of the acai.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk - Sweetened condensed milk is the trick here, as it keeps the somewhat grainy acai berry pulp creamy and emulsified in the mixture.
- Milk, Half & Half, or Heavy Cream - Use either, depending on your preference. Gelato uses more milk, ice cream usually uses more half & half or cream.
- Vanilla - Vanilla extract.
- Salt - Just a pinch of salt.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Acai Berry Gelato
Made with just a few simple ingredients, this ice cream is creamy, smooth, and packed with antioxidants. Be sure to use the frozen acai pulp as it has a more vibrant flavor.
Prepare the Acai Ice Cream Custard
- Remove the frozen acai pulp from the frozen packets and let the pulp defrost.
- Add the blueberries to a blender or mini food processor.
- Puree the blueberries until smooth and creamy, similar in texture to the acai pulp.
Churn The Acai Ice Cream Base
- Using a large bowl, transfer the defrosted acai pulp and the pureed blueberries and stir to blend.
- Add the sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, and salt to the fruit purees.
- Add the heavy cream or half and half to the bowl and blend with an electric mixer.
- Pour the acai berry ice cream base into the Cuisinart freezer bowl and insert the dasher.
- Program your Cuisinart on the 'Gelato' setting and let the churning cycle run it's course.
Transfer To The Freezer
- After the Cuisinart churning cycle is complete, remove the dasher and scrape the soft serve style acai ice cream into a freezer storage tub for about 2 hours.
Hardening Phase
- Keep the acai berry gelato in the freezer to firm up, called the 'hardening phase'. The acai gelato color will deepen, and the will firm up into ice cream you can scoop.
Serving Suggestions
Acai berry gelato is a delicious and healthy frozen treat that is perfect for any time of year. Made with just a few simple ingredients, this acai ice cream is creamy, smooth, and packed with antioxidants.
Acai berry ice cream can be served plain or topped with your favorite fruits, granola, or nuts. It's also a great base for smoothies or milkshakes.
Love Ice Cream? So do we!. See our other ice cream recipes:
- Sugar Free Mango Sorbet
- Bailey's Irish Cream Ganache
- Chocolate Marshmallow Ice Cream
- Birthday Cake Funfetti Ice Cream
- Dairy Free Strawberry Ice Cream
- Cookie Monster Ice Cream
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Related Recipes
Substitutions and Variations
Here are a few substitutions and variations using this acai berry gelato recipe as a base:
- Top the ice cream with granola, fresh berries, shredded coconut, or chocolate chips.
- Puree medium ripe bananas instead of blueberries.
Equipment
Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. Below are some of my favorite pieces of equipment that I use when making this acai berry gelato recipe.
- Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker ICE30
- Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker ICE70 - Makes Gelato, Sorbet, and Ice Cream!
- Extra ICE30 Freezer Bowl This way you can make two batches on the same day!
- Extra ICE70 Freezer Bowl
- Ice Cream Storage Tubs, 1 quart
- Long Scoop Ice Cream container
Storage and Freezing
Acai berry ice cream can be stored in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.
Tips for Success
- Use frozen acai berry pulp for the best results, it tastes better than reconstituted dry acai powder.
- Process the blueberries or other fruits on high speed until smooth and creamy.
- If you don't have a Cuisinart, you can use a blender or food processor to make the acai ice cream.
- Serve immediately or transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Acai berries have a unique taste that sets them apart from other berries. Most berries taste sweet when ripe, but acai berries have an earthy, slightly bitter taste with undertones of chocolate, banana, and blackberry. Acai berries blend well with blueberries especially.
Acai berries contain many antioxidants, healthy fats, and fiber. Their nutritious composition makes them an excellent addition to a healthy diet. Acai berries are a Brazilian “superfruit.”
Yes, you can use a blender or food processor to make the ice cream and then freeze it as as no churn ice cream.
Food Safety
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat.
- Wash hands after touching raw meat.
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods.
- Never leave cooking food unattended.
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds.
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove.
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love
Connect with Smells Like Delish!
📖 Recipe
Acai Berry Gelato
Ingredients
- 8 oz acai pulp two frozen 4 oz packets
- 1 cup blueberries fresh, blended
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk 1 can
- 4 cups milk or half & half, or cream
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Remove the frozen acai pulp from the frozen packets and let the pulp defrost.8 oz acai pulp
- Add the blueberries to a blender or mini food processor. Puree the blueberries until smooth and creamy, similar in texture to the acai pulp.1 cup blueberries
- Using a large bowl, transfer the defrosted acai pulp and the pureed blueberries and stir to blend.
- Empty the can of sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, and pinch of salt into the bowl of blueberry and acai purees.14 oz sweetened condensed milk
- Add the heavy cream or half and half to the bowl and blend with an electric mixer.4 cups milk, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, 1 pinch salt
- Pour the acai berry ice cream base into the Cuisinart freezer bowl and insert the dasher.
- Program your Cuisinart on the 'Gelato' setting and let the churning cycle run it's course.
- After the Cuisinart churning cycle is complete, remove the dasher and scrape the soft serve style acai ice cream into a freezer storage tub, and freeze for about 2 hours.
Notes
- Use frozen acai berry pulp for the best results, it tastes better than reconstituted dry acai powder.
- Process the blueberries or other fruits on high speed until smooth and creamy.
- If you don't have a Cuisinart, you can use a blender or food processor to make the acai ice cream.
- Serve immediately or transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for later.
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