Coconut Mounds Gelato

I've been obsessed with gelato lately! I have been trying all kinds of flavor combinations with my base recipe, anything is possible. My hubb's loves Mounds so he was my inspiration for this one.
For the base:
2 cups of whole milk
1 cup of heavy cream
4 egg yolks
1/2 cup sugar, plus 1/4 cup
1/2 tsp vanilla (optional depending on flavor of choice)
combine in a medium sauce pot milk, cream and 1/2 cup of sugar. Heat but do not boil over low heat stirring often about 5 minutes. Meanwhile in a bowl whisk egg yolks and 1/4 cup of sugar, temper with cream mixture and return to pot over low heat cook until thickened (keep stirring) and coats the back of a spoon. Transfer to ice cream maker until semi frozen and add.
My add ins:
1 1/2 cups sweetened flaked coconut
1 cup dark cocoa chips
1 tablespoon vanilla
Mix well and put into a freezer safe dish, cover with plastic wrap and let set over night.

*if you don't have an ice cream maker no worries, just put in a freezer safe dish and stir every 1/2 hour till set
**use the base to make your favorite flavor