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Key Lime with Graham Cracker Gelato

4.6

(10)

Image may contain Food Creme Dessert Cream Ice Cream Cutlery and Spoon
Key Lime with Graham Cracker GelatoIain Bagwell

Tangy, tart, and refreshing, with a bit of graham cracker crunch—just like the pie.
One of Ciao Bella's most popular recent flavor creations, this started as a seasonal offering for our chef customers and became wildly successful in our gelaterie. The popularity of Key Lime with Graham Cracker Gelato was a bit of a surprise because its flavor is decidedly tart, while Americans tend to have sweeter palates. There's always a fine line between creating what chefs appreciate and what customers will like, but in this case everyone was happy. This flavor is so popular that in less than a year it became our number-one retail gelato flavor in New York City.

NOTE

To crush graham crackers, place about 5 graham crackers in a large zip-top bag. Place on a work surface and roll over them with a rolling pin, heavy jar, or wine bottle. Alternatively, break them up a bit by hand, then process in a food processor into crumbs.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes about 1 quart

Ingredients

3 tablespoons fresh lime juice, preferably Key lime
2 teaspoons grated lime zest
3/4 cup crushed graham crackers (see Note), frozen

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Make the Plain Base and chill as directed.

    Step 2

    Gently whisk the lime juice and zest into the base. Pour the mixture into the container of an ice cream machine and churn according to the manufacturer's instructions. Just after churning quickly stir in the graham cracker crumbs. Transfer to an airtight container and freeze for at least 2 hours before serving.

Reprinted from the book THE CIAO BELLA BOOK OF GELATO AND SORBETTO by F.W. PEARCE & DANILO ZECCHIN. Copyright © 2010 by F.W. PEARCE & DANILO ZECCHIN. Photographs copyright © 2010 by IAIN BAGWELL. Published by Clarkson Potter, a division of Random House, Inc.

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