Tefal Dolci light ice cream: how the LIGHT ICE CREAM programme works

What the Tefal Dolci light ice cream programme is for

The Tefal Dolci light ice cream programme is made for bases with little sugar and little fat: light ice cream, protein ice cream, lighter milk-based desserts. These bases freeze harder than a classic ice cream, so the machine handles them with its own cycle of about 3 minutes 41 seconds.

It's the same button on the Moulinex Dolci, because the two are the same machine. As always, you freeze the base in the bowl for 24 hours at −18 °C first, then the blade spins and shaves the block layer by layer.

No LIGHT ICE CREAM button? Use GELATO

Not every Dolci has this programme. Depending on the model, the fifth spoon button is either LIGHT ICE CREAM or SMOOTHIE BOWL. The European model with SMOOTHIE BOWL has no LIGHT ICE CREAM.

The ICED rule for that case is clear: put light recipes on GELATO. In the app, each recipe shows the right button for your model, so you don't have to guess. You'll find the full list of buttons on the Tefal Dolci programmes page.

Why light ice cream turns grainy, and how to fix it

Fat and sugar are what make ice cream soft. Take them away and the block becomes harder and icier. That's why a very lean base tends to come out grainy or powdery after the first cycle.

• Press RE-SPIN (about 1 min 30 s): most of the time it turns creamy.
• If it's still grainy, the base is too lean and needs a better balance next time.

Light doesn't have to mean icy. It means a base that's been balanced for the machine. More on this in our Tefal Dolci questions.

Light and low-calorie ice cream ideas

Fruit sorbets are naturally light too, as they contain no milk or cream. If you're watching calories, have a look at our low-calorie ice cream recipes and the free 30 sorbets book. For a softer fruit dessert with a touch of dairy, try a sherbet.

Tips for a creamier light ice cream

A few habits make a big difference with lean bases:

• Give the bowl the full 24 hours at −18 °C before pressing any button.
• Don't cut sugar and fat to zero: the block gets harder and the texture icier.
• Plan for a RE-SPIN. With light bases it's often part of the process, not a sign of failure.
• Eat it soon after the cycle, when the texture is at its best.

If you want a lighter dessert without dairy, a fruit sorbet on the SORBET programme is another good option.

232 light ice creams, balanced for your bowl

I'm a professional Italian chef and I've worked ice cream on a professional Pacojet for more than 10 years. In the ICED° app you'll find 232 light ice creams, each with the grams for your machine's bowl, the button to press on your model and a traffic light that tells you before freezing if the base will be too hard. Try 5 recipes free on the Tefal Dolci app page, or browse all the Tefal Dolci recipes.

Step by step

1. Prepare a light base, low in sugar and fat.
2. Pour it into the Tritan bowl, put the lid on and freeze for 24 hours at −18 °C.
3. Fit the frozen bowl in the Tefal Dolci and lock it.
4. Press LIGHT ICE CREAM (about 3 min 41 s). If your model has SMOOTHIE BOWL instead, press GELATO.
5. If the result is grainy or powdery, press RE-SPIN.
6. Serve straight away for the best texture.

Frequently asked questions