Lemon Semifreddo Cake Recipes

LEMON SEMIFREDDO CAKE

Steps:

• Line bottoms and sides of two 5-by-9-inch loaf pans with parchment paper; set aside. Using a serrated knife, trim all edges of vanilla sheet cake by 1 inch so it measures 8 by 12 inches. Slice cake widthwise, through the top, into three vertical pieces, each 4 by 8 inches. Split each piece in half, slicing horizontally through the crumb. You should have six 4-by-8-inch layers. Set aside.
• Make the semifreddo: In a large heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, whisk together egg yolks, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar until smooth.
• Add wine, 1/2 cup lemon juice, and lemon zest; cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, and scraping across the bottom to prevent mixture from sticking to bowl, until mixture is thick enough to coat the back of the spoon, 6 to 7 minutes. Remove from heat, and transfer to a large bowl. Let cool to room temperature, or place pan in an ice bath, stirring occasionally, to expedite chilling.
• When custard has cooled, combine the water, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and remaining teaspoon lemon juice in a small saucepan. Bring mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Cook until mixture is slightly thickened and registers 240 degrees on a candy thermometer, about 8 minutes; wash down sides of pan with a pastry brush dipped in water to prevent crystals from forming. Remove from heat, and let mixture cool 2 to 3 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat egg whites and remaining tablespoon sugar on medium-high speed until stiff but not dry peaks form. With mixer still running, slowly drizzle syrup mixture into egg whites; continue beating until meringue has cooled slightly and the bowl is cool to the touch.
• In another large mixing bowl, whip cream with remaining 3 tablespoons confectioners? sugar until soft peaks form. Fold whipped cream into cooled lemon mixture; fold in egg white mixture. Mixture should be very smooth. Place rum in a small bowl.
• Fit one of the cake layers in the bottom of each prepared loaf pan. Using a pastry brush, lightly moisten top of cake with rum. Using an offset spatula, evenly spread 1 1/2 cups lemon filling over each. Repeat process, making another layer of cake, rum, and filling; cover each with one of the remaining cake layers. Place in freezer at least 5 hours or overnight.
• Just before serving, remove pans from freezer, and turn cakes out of pans; remove parchment paper. Slice into pieces.

ITALIAN LEMON CREAM CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray the bottom of a 10-inch springform pan with cooking spray.
• Measure 1 cup cake mix; set aside for crumb topping. Place the remaining cake mix in a large bowl; add 3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon milk, eggs, and oil. Beat cake mix mixture using an electric mixer until batter is thoroughly combined, about 2 minutes. Pour batter into the prepared pan.
• Mix melted butter and vanilla extract together in a bowl; stir in reserved 1 cup cake mix until mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle crumbs over top of cake batter.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Cool cake to room temperature in the pan.
• Beat cream cheese, 1/3 cup confectioners' sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest together in a bowl until smooth and creamy. Beat cream and remaining 1/3 cup confectioners' sugar together in a separate bowl using an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Fold cream cheese mixture into whipped cream.
• Remove cake from springform pan. Cut cake horizontally into 2 layers using a serrated knife; remove top layer. Spread filling onto the bottom cake layer; place top cake over filling. Refrigerate cake for at least 4 hours. Dust cake with more confectioners' sugar before serving.

LEMON-BLACKBERRY SEMIFREDDO

Steps:

• Make lemon curd: Put egg yolks, eggs, 3/4 cup sugar, and lemon juice in a medium heatproof bowl; set over a pan of simmering water. Whisk until mixture is very thick and smooth and temperature registers 165 degrees on an instant-read thermometer, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; whisk in butter. Pour through a fine sieve into a medium bowl; cover with plastic wrap, pressing wrap directly on surface of curd. Refrigerate until cool and firm, about 1 hour.
• Put egg whites in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment; beat on low speed. Meanwhile, bring 1/3 cup sugar and 2 tablespoons water to a boil in a small saucepan over high heat. Swirl pan to dissolve sugar. Wash down sides of pan with a wet pastry brush to prevent crystals from forming. Boil until syrup registers 248 degrees on an instant-read thermometer. Raise mixer speed to medium high; beat until egg whites have formed almost-stiff peaks. With mixer running, slowly pour in syrup; beat until mixture has cooled and stiff, glossy peaks have formed, about 4 minutes. Set meringue aside.
• Stir mascarpone in a large nonreactive bowl with a rubber spatula until smooth. Fold in lemon curd and lemon zest. Fold in meringue.
• Pulse berries and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar in a food processor until berries are broken up but not smooth. Fold into lemon mixture, leaving it slightly swirled. Freeze until slightly firm, about 20 minutes. Use immediately.