Semifreddo Recipes

SEMIFREDDO

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Line a 9 x 5 x 3-inch metal loaf pan with plastic wrap, leaving an overhang of several inches on all the ends. Chill the pan in the freezer. At least 20 minutes before you are ready to whip the cream , place the large bowl and the beaters of an electric mixer in the refrigerator.
• Pour the chilled heavy whipping cream and vanilla extract into the chilled bowl and whip the cream at high speed until soft peaks form, about 4 minutes. Return the bowl to the refrigerator while proceeding with the next steps.
• In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then cook, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is completely dissolved, 3 to 4 minutes.
• In another large mixing bowl, beat the eggs on medium speed until foamy, about 1 minute. With the mixer running, slowly add the hot sugar syrup into the eggs in a thin stream. Continue beating until the mixture is very light and fluffy and feels cool to the touch, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Gently fold the chilled whipped cream into the cooled egg-syrup mixture.
• Gently fold in the cookie crumbs and chopped almonds.
• Remove the prepared loaf pan from the freezer. Spoon the mixture into the pan. Cover securely with the overhanging plastic wrap and return to the freezer. Freeze until set, at least 8 hours, preferably overnight.
• Unwrap the top of the loaf pan. Invert onto a serving plate, lift off the pan and remove the plastic wrap. Sprinkle with the additional crushed cookies, if using, and the sliced almonds. Cut into slices and serve immediately.

CITRUS SEMIFREDDO

Steps:

• Spray a 9 by 5 by 3-inch metal loaf pan with nonstick spray. Line the pan with plastic wrap, allowing the excess to hang over the ends and sides.
• Combine the crushed amaretti cookies and the melted butter. Put in the lined pan and press down to firm and form a crust.
• Whisk 1/2 cup of the sugar, the egg yolks, lemon juice, lime juice, limoncello, and salt in a large metal bowl to blend. Set the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water (do not allow the bottom of the bowl to touch the water). Whisk the egg mixture until it is thick and creamy, and a thermometer inserted into the mixture registers 160 degrees F, about 5 minutes. Set the bowl of custard into another bowl of ice water to cool completely. Stir in the zest.
• Using an electric mixer, beat the cream and remaining 1/4 cup sugar in another large bowl until firm peaks form. Using a large rubber spatula, gently fold the whipped cream into the custard. Spoon the mixture onto the prepared crust. Fold the overhanging plastic wrap over the custard and freeze until frozen, at least 8 hours or up to 3 days.
• Unfold the plastic wrap. Invert the semifreddo onto a platter and peel off the plastic wrap. Cut the semifreddo into 1-inch slices and sprinkle with crushed amaretti cookies and serve.

MOCHA SEMIFREDDO

Steps:

• On the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan, center a piece of waxed paper slightly larger than the bottom (so it sticks out a bit). Assemble pan, keeping paper in place. Spray side of pan with nonstick spray; line with one long strip of waxed paper. Set aside.
• In a large heatproof bowl set over (not in) a saucepan of simmering water, combine 3/4 cup sugar with egg yolks and espresso powder. Whisking constantly, cook mixture until pale, thickened, and nearly doubled in volume, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; set aside to cool, about 10 minutes.
• In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat cream with remaining 1/4 cup sugar until stiff peaks form. Whisk 1/3 whipped cream into cooled egg-yolk mixture; with a rubber spatula, fold in remaining whipped cream. Transfer mixture to prepared springform pan. Freeze until firm, at least 3 hours and up to 1 week.
• Using a thin metal spatula, loosen semifreddo from paper, and carefully slide from pan to a chilled serving platter. Return to freezer until ready to serve. Just before serving, garnish with chocolate shavings and espresso beans.

CHOCOLATE SEMIFREDDO

Steps:

• Line the bottom and sides of a 9x5-inch loaf pan with plastic wrap, allowing 4 to 5 inches to extend over all sides.
• Stir cookie crumbs and almonds together in a bowl. Set aside.
• Place chopped bittersweet and semisweet chocolate in a large bowl and set a fine wire-mesh strainer over the bowl; set aside.
• Whisk eggs, sugar, and salt together in a medium bowl until well combined.
• Heat 1/2 cup cream and water in a small saucepan over medium heat until mixture begins to simmer, 3 to 4 minutes. Slowly whisk hot cream mixture into egg mixture until completely combined. Return mixture to the saucepan and attach a candy thermometer to the pan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly with a rubber spatula and scraping the bottom of the pan, until mixture is slightly thickened and registers 160 to 165 degrees F (70 to 74 degrees C), 4 to 5 minutes. Do not let mixture simmer.
• Immediately pour into the strainer over the chocolate. Discard any solids left in the strainer. Let chocolate mixture stand for 5 minutes. Whisk until chocolate is melted and smooth; whisk in vanilla and almond extracts. Let stand until completely cool, about 15 minutes.
• Beat remaining 1 1/2 cups cream with an electric stand mixer, using the whisk attachment, on medium-high speed until soft peaks form, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes.
• Whisk 1/3 of whipped cream into chocolate mixture until completely combined. Gently fold remaining whipped cream into the chocolate mixture using a rubber spatula until incorporated and no streaks of whipped cream remain. Spoon mixture into the prepared pan and smooth evenly with a small offset spatula. Sprinkle evenly with cookie crumb mixture.
• Pull excess plastic wrap at sides tightly over cake, gently pressing down on cookie crumb mixture. Freeze, 12 to 24 hours.
• Lift semifreddo from pan, using plastic wrap as handles, and transfer to a serving plate. Let stand for 15 minutes. Cut semifreddo into 8 slices, using a serrated knife dipped in hot water and wiped dry after each slice.

CREAM CHEESE SEMIFREDDO

Steps:

• Line an 8-inch loaf pan with plastic wrap and set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat heavy cream on high until stiff peaks form. Transfer the whipped cream to a bowl and chill in the refrigerator. Wash the mixing bowl and whisk attachment and set aside. (You'll need them again.)
• In a medium heat-proof bowl, combine the yolks, sugar, vanilla, salt and rum, if using. Whisk continuously, otherwise the sugar and alcohol will cook the egg, making the mixture grainy.
• In small saucepan, bring about an inch of water to a very low simmer. Place the bowl with the yolks on top of the saucepan to create a double boiler. (The bowl should not touch the water.) Whisk the yolk mixture continuously until the yolks are glossy, and have lightened in color and doubled in volume, about 5 minutes. The mixture should feel warm to the touch, and the sugar should be completely dissolved.
• Remove the bowl from the heat and continue to whisk until the mixture cools to room temperature, 8 to 10 minutes. (It will thicken a bit as it cools.) Transfer the yolk mixture and the cream cheese to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat on medium speed, until completely smooth, about 3 to 4 minutes, scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.
• Very gently fold the cream cheese mixture into the chilled whipped cream using a silicone spatula, being careful not to deflate the mixture. Stop earlier than you think because transferring the semifreddo to the loaf pan will continue to mix it together.
• Carefully pour the semifreddo into the prepared loaf pan. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for at least 12 hours and up to overnight. Mixture should be frozen solid.
• When ready to serve, carefully remove the semifreddo from the mold (you may need to run the base of the loaf pan under warm water for a few seconds to aid removal) and transfer to a chilled cutting board or platter. Peel off the plastic wrap. Using a clean knife that's been run under hot water then wiped dry, slice the semifreddo into 1-inch-thick slabs. Place onto a chilled plate, top with a spoonful of maple syrup, a drizzle of cherry surette or balsamic vinegar, and a sprinkle of flaky salt.

COFFEE SEMIFREDDO

Steps:

• Oil and line a 1-litre loaf tin with cling film. Put the coffee, Tia Maria or brandy, egg yolks and sugar in a bowl and stir to dissolve the coffee. Put the egg whites in a large bowl and pour the cream in another.
• Beat the egg whites until stiff with an electric whisk, then quickly beat the egg yolk mixture until thick and leaving a trail. Now beat the cream until it holds its shape. If you beat everything in this order, you don't need to wash the whisks in between.
• Fold the cream into the coffee mixture, then carefully fold in the whites. Fold through the Toblerone and tip into the loaf tin. Lightly cover the surface with cling film. When frozen, overwrap in foil and freeze. Will keep for up to 6 weeks. You can make the chocolate curls (see video link, above, for instructions) and keep them in a airtight container or freeze.
• To serve, unwrap and turn onto a platter. Strip off the cling film and serve topped with the chocolate curls.

SEMIFREDDO

Steps:

• In a mixer with a whisk attachment, whisk the cream into medium peaks. Add 1 cup of the sugar to the cream and continue to whisk until stiff peaks form. Turn the cream out into a large bowl. Clean the bowl and whisk attachment. Add the egg yolks and the remaining 1 cup sugar. Whisk until the yolks are pale yellow and tripled in volume. Add the yolks to the whipped cream. Add the almond or vanilla extract and begin to fold the yolks into the cream. Add the pistachios and turn the mixture out into a glass serving dish. Freeze overnight. To serve: Cut the semifreddo into desired size pieces. Place individual pieces in a serving bowl and top with berries and chocolate sauce. Garnish with powdered sugar and a sprig of mint.