Cacao Nib Gelato

Oh, I had trouble with this ice cream. Serious trouble. When I first read the recipe in the September 2009 issue of bon appetit I knew I had to make it. I tweeted about it with Nancy of The Dogs Eat the Crumbs and we decided to churn it together. The cream base is seeped with cacao nibs and a vanilla bean  so the  flavor is intense, very intense {but in a good way}. Once the base is reheated, egg yolks added, and cooked to just the right consistency it is chilled in the refrigerator overnight.

This is where my trouble started. I churned the gelato the next morning and everything seemed fine. I placed it in the freezer and went along my merry way. The next day, I notice a puddle of water in my water dispenser. I open my freezer and it’s warm. The ice in the ice maker was melting, food stuff was thawing, and my lovely lovely gelato was back in its unchurned form.

I assume I didn’t close the freezer door all the way, stick the gelato base in the refrigerator, and turn the temp on the freezer super low. I also place a cup with water in the freezer to test if it is working.  The next morning I open up the freezer and everything is frozen. Yay! I rechurn the gelato and stick it back in the freezer. But no, my freezer/refrigerator was only pretending to work. Yes, my gelato was back in it’s unchurned form. I teary-eyed threw it away {along with all of the other contents} and called the repairperson.

Luckily, my refrigerator just needed a new motherboard which was only $150 for parts & labor. {fyi: if you have a GE Profile, they are notorious for motherboards conking out soon after the 5 year warranty expires. My refrig is 6 years old}. Once everything was nice and chilly, I made the gelato base again. I had to, this is the best tasting chocolate ice cream. I really had no choice. It really is that good.

You can find the recipe HERE.

{I came back to add, after I scheduled this post: I don’t think I expressed my love for this gelato enough. It is heaven. Pure Heaven. The chocolate flavor is clean and slightly bitter like good chocolate should be. Man. I think I may have to make another batch.}