Bacio Gelato

Bacio gelato is a delight that takes inspiration from the famous Baci Perugina chocolates, known for their irresistible mix of chocolate and hazelnuts. Here is how to prepare a delicious bacio gelato.

Ingredients

• 250 ml of whole milk
• 200 ml of whipping cream
• 150 g of dark chocolate
• 100 g of roasted and chopped hazelnuts
• 120 g of granulated sugar
• 4 egg yolks
• 1 pinch of salt

Preparation

1. Start by melting the coarsely chopped dark chocolate in a bain-marie or microwave and let it cool.
2. Grind the previously toasted hazelnuts to obtain a not too fine grain.
3. In a saucepan, bring the milk to a boil with half of the sugar and the pinch of salt.
4. Meanwhile, in a bowl, beat the yolks with the remaining sugar until you have a light and fluffy mixture.
5. Add the hot milk to the mixture of yolks and sugar, stirring continuously. Return to the heat and cook on low, stirring constantly, until the cream has slightly thickened and can coat the back of a spoon (be careful not to boil it to avoid curdling the eggs).
6. Remove the cream from heat and allow it to cool slightly. Then add the melted chocolate and mix well.
7. Incorporate the chopped hazelnuts and then let the cream cool completely, covering it with cling film in contact to avoid the formation of a skin.
8. Meanwhile, whip the cream until it is firm.
9. Gently fold the whipped cream into the now cold chocolate mixture, trying not to deflate it too much to keep the air incorporated.
10. Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and proceed according to the machine’s instructions, or, if you do not own an ice cream maker, place the mixture in a suitable container and freeze it, stirring every hour to break up the ice crystals, until the desired consistency is achieved.

Curiosity

The name “bacio,” which means “kiss” in Italian, for the famous chocolates comes from the shape that resembles two lips joined in a kiss. Moreover, each chocolate contains a small note inside with romantic phrases or famous quotes about love. In the gelato, on the other hand, the intense combination of chocolate and hazelnuts evokes the sweetness of a true kiss.