Chocolate Hazelnut Gelato

2 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup sugar, plus 1/4 cup
4 egg yolks
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup Nutella
1/2 cup toasted hazelnuts crushed for garnish

In a saucepan combine the milk, cream and 1/2 cup of sugar over medium heat. Cook until sugar dissolves (about 5 mins.). Meanwhile in medium bowl whip egg yolks with remaining sugar using electric mixer until eggs become thick and pale yellow (about 4 mins). Pour 1/2 cup of the warm milk and cream mixture into the egg mixture and stir. Add mixture back into saucepan. Cook over very low heat, stirring occasionally until mixture becomes thick enough to coat back of wooden spoon (about 7-10 mins).

Place strainer over medium bowl and pour warm custard mixture through strainer. Stir in vanilla and Nutella until it dissolves. Chill mixture completely before pouring into ice cream maker and follow manufacturer's directions to freeze. Top with crushed hazelnuts.

Serving Size: 8 half cup servings

Number of Servings: 8

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user LAC936.