Learn how to pick out the differences between ice cream, sherbet, gelato, and sorbet. Which has dairy or eggs? Which one is vegan? Which one has the most intense flavor? We got all the answers for you. Also get links to some of the recipes on the blog.
Since I got my ice cream maker many years ago with Christmas money, I have been searching the web and the shelves of my local library to find the best ice cream recipes.
One of the biggest challenges has been sorting through the names. What some people call sherbet another person calls it gelato. And what one person calls ice cream, another calls sherbet. So what is what?
I want to help clear it all up so there would be no more confusion. Below are my definitions for each. This is the system I will use when filing recipes in my recipe binder.
Ice Cream
Ice cream is made with milk and/or cream that has been sweetened. Flavorings have been added to it. It's churned which adds air and gives the ice cream it's mouthfeel.
Sometimes you will see cartons of ice cream labelled as frozen dairy dessert. That means they contain too low of fat content and too much air to be labelled as ice cream. You really want to avoid buying these.
When I make homemade ice cream I use heavy cream and half-and-half or whole milk. I prefer to make my ice cream by starting with a custard that includes the dairy along with eggs and sugar and that is cooked to 175 degrees. This is often called a French style ice cream. The eggs had richness and a silky texture.
Try your hand at these fun ice cream flavors - Roasted Peach Buttermilk or Strawberry with Lemon
Gelato
Made with heavy cream and milk (higher percentage of milk than cream). It is lower in fat than ice cream. It does not include eggs. It is best eaten right out of the ice cream maker. It has a richer flavor than ice cream.
Although you can make a gelato recipe using an ice cream maker, I do not think it is always true gelato as real gelato needs to contain less air. It needs to churn at a different speed. Most ice cream makers don't have that function. Unless you have an ice cream bowl for your stand mixer. I do and you are able to control the speed at which your ice cream (or gelato) churns.
Most homemade gelato is really probably more like Philadelphia style ice cream than true gelato.
Try this fun flavor of gelato - Pink Peppercorn Gelato!
Sorbet
A sorbet is made up of fruit (or another flavoring like chocolate), sugar, and water. There is no dairy products, thus it is fat free and good for those who have problems digesting lactose or are looking for something vegan. Your sorbet will be only as good as the fruit in it, so summer fresh fruits are the best. I have made it with strawberries, blueberries, Concord grapes, peaches, and tart cherries.
It's easier to make than ice cream as you are just combing a few ingredients and then churning it. No cooking needed.
In the fall, use fresh Concord grapes to make this Grape Sorbet.
Sherbet
Sherbet is very similar to sorbet with the exception that milk is added. It still lower in fat than ice cream and has a flavor similar to sorbet except with the undertone of milk to give you a creamier product.
Sherbet is a cheap option in the grocery store. But that also means most sherbet is not of very high quality. It's hard to find a good sherbet in the store, which is why I love making them myself.
Make your own sherbet. Choose either Strawberry or Orange!
Conclusion
When you break it down the only difference in what your frozen treat is called comes down to the fat content and how much air it contains. The fat can be rich, lighter, or none at all.
Which is your favorite? Leave a comment below telling us if you are a ice cream fan, a gelato fan, a sherbet fan, or a sorbet fan? Or maybe you just love it all!
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