Chocolate Semifreddo Recipe (2024)

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Light, airy and chocolatey this semifreddo recipe is absolutely delicious and requires no ice-cream machine! So simple to put together and looks so impressive to serve to guests or at the weekend for your family. Warning, there will be fights over who gets to lick the bowl clean.

Because who doesn't love chocolate ice-cream?

Chocolate Semifreddo Recipe (1)

Ok, so I currently have a freezer FULL of never-endingsemifreddo right now. I tested this Italian semifreddo recipe 4 times in one week to get it right and thankfully I was not defeated!

Of course, it's now the boyfriend's job to eat it all and leave me with an appropriate amount and let's face it that ain't really a hard task to ask, is it?

After four attemptsto get this semifreddo recipe just right I was able to create the lightest, smoothest and most decadent ice cream ever...seriously you NEED this in your life it tastes like heaven!

How To Make This Chocolate Semifreddo Recipe - Step By Step

First, you need to make the zabaglione (Italian frothy custard). Place the egg yolks and sugar in a large mixing bowl and whisk with an electric whisk until pale and thick (photo 1).

Place the bowl over a pot of hot water (don't let the water boil and don't let the bowl touch the water). Whisk with a hand whisk whilst slowly adding the marsala. Continue to whisk until the zabaglione is frothy, pale and doubled in size. Set the pot of water aside off of the heat with the zabaglionestill on top to keep warm (photo 2).

Tip: The zabaglione should be thick enough to see a trail from the whisk and no more.

Chocolate Semifreddo Recipe (2)

Next, melt the chocolate by using the same method as above (mixing bowl over simmering water) you can also melt the chocolate in a microwave heating it at 30-second bursts at a time whilst taking it out to stir with a wooden spoon.(photo 3).

Set the melted chocolate aside to cool and add the cream to a stand mixer (you can use a hand-held electric mixer or hand whisk to do this too) whip the cream to stiff peaks.

Slowly add the melted chocolate into the zabaglione until completely incorporated (photos 4 & 5 ). Add one third of the whipped cream into the chocolatemixture and fold it gently as if you were folding cake batter. Continue doing this adding 1 third at a time until the cream and custard are combined (photos 6 & 7).

Line a loaf tin with cling film and spoon the semifreddo mixture into the tin. Spread it out in an even layer and give it a gentle tap to get rid of any air holes (photo 8).

Cover the top with the rest of the cling film and freeze overnight (photo 9).

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Time To Serve Your Semifreddo

I love to decorate my semifreddo with fresh berries and drizzled with more melted chocolate if I'm serving it for guests. It looks so impressive and tastes aaaamazing!

If you do have an ice cream machine and love making homemade ice cream at home (it's so simple) then be sure to check out mychocolate hazelnut ice creamandTiramisu ice cream. Both are absolutely delicious recipes and the ice cream machine I use costs no more than $20 and it has never failed me!

Chocolate Semifreddo Recipe (3)

Extra Tips For Making This Chocolate Semifreddo Recipe

  • Whisk the egg yolks and sugar well with electric beaters before heating on the bain-marie, don't skip this step I tried and the custard was too thick and end results weren't great.
  • Make sure the custard/zabaglione and chocolate are cooled (not cold) before mixing together.
  • Heat everything slowly and gently, too much heat too quickly will end up in disaster.
  • Leave the semifreddo out of the freezer for 10-15 minutes before serving.
  • Always wrap back up in cling film before placing back in freezer.

More Easy Dessert Recipes To Try;

  • Boozy Baileys mini cheesecakes
  • No bake chocolate cheesecake
  • Chocolate panna cotta
  • Apple olive oil cake
  • Mini cannoli

If you've tried this chocolate semifreddo recipe or any other recipe on the blog then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME onFACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more delicious food and what I'm getting up to.

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Chocolate Semifreddo Recipe (4)

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5 from 4 votes

Chocolate Semifreddo Recipe

Light, airy and chocolatey this semifreddo recipe is absolutely delicious and requires no ice-cream machine! So simple to put together and looks so impressive to serve to guests or at the weekend for your family.

Course Dessert

Cuisine Italian

Servings 12 servings

Calories 292kcal

Author Emily Wyper

Ingredients

  • 5 large egg yolks
  • ½ cup (3.5 oz/100g) white sugar
  • ¼ cup (50ml) marsala
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 200 (200g) dark chocolate 70% cocoa
  • 2 cups (16 fl oz/450ml) heavy double cream

Special Equipment needed

  • 1 loaf tin , 10x5 inch
  • cling film

Instructions

  • First, you need to make the zabaglione (Italian frothy custard). Place the egg yolks and sugar in a large mixing bowl and whisk with an electric whisk until pale and thick.

  • Place the bowl over a pot of hot water (don't let the water boil and don't let the bowl touch the water). Whisk with a hand whisk whilst slowly adding the marsala and add the vanilla. Continue to whisk until the zabaglione is frothy, pale and doubled in size. Set the pot of water aside off of the heat with the zabaglionestill on top to keep warm.

  • Tip: The zabaglione should be thick enough to see a trail from the whisk and no more.

  • Next melt the chocolate by using the same method as above (mixing bowl over simmering water) you can also melt the chocolate in a microwave heating it at 30-second bursts at a time whilst taking it out to stir.

  • Set the melted chocolate aside to cool and add the cream to a stand mixer (you can use a hand-held electric mixer or hand whisk to do this too) whip the cream to stiff peaks.

  • Slowly add the melted chocolate into the zabaglione until completely incorporated. Add one third of the whipped cream into the chocolatemixture and fold it gently as if you were folding cake batter. Continue doing this adding 1 third at a time until the cream and custard are combined.

  • Line a loaf tin with cling film and spoon the semifreddo mixture into the tin. Spread it out in an even layer and give it a gentle tap to get rid of any air holes.

  • Cover the top with the rest of the cling film and freeze overnight.

Notes

Tips

  • Do not allow the water to boil and don't let the bowl touch the water when thickening the zabaglione and melting the chocolate. If the eggs are heated too quickly they will scramble and the chocolate will split or burn.
  • Keep the zabaglione warm but don't continue to heat it. Turn the heat off and remove it from the burner. Keep it on top of the warm water as you melt the chocolate.
  • Always set the chocolate aside off the burner to cool slightly as you whip the cream. This will make sure it's cool enough to be mixed with the zabaglione.
  • I used a non-stick loaf tin size 10x5 inches.

Extra Tips For Making This Chocolate Semifreddo Recipe

  • Whisk the egg yolks and sugar well with electric beaters before heating on the bain-marie, don't skip this step I tried and the custard was too thick and end results weren't great.
  • Make sure the custard/zabaglione and chocolate are cooled (not cold) before mixing together.
  • Leave the semifreddo out of the freezer for 10-15 minutes before serving.
  • Always wrap back up in cling film before placing back in freezer.

Nutrition Facts

Chocolate Semifreddo Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 292Calories from Fat 198

% Daily Value*

Fat 22g34%

Saturated Fat 13g81%

Cholesterol 133mg44%

Sodium 21mg1%

Potassium 159mg5%

Carbohydrates 17g6%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 12g13%

Protein 3g6%

Vitamin A 665IU13%

Vitamin C 0.2mg0%

Calcium 46mg5%

Iron 2.2mg12%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition

Calories: 292kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 133mg | Sodium: 21mg | Potassium: 159mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 665IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 2.2mg

Helpful Info for All Recipes

  • I always use extra virgin olive oil in all of my recipes unless stated otherwise
  • When I use canned or jarred tomatoes of any kind I always use Cirio or Mutti brands for the best results and flavour.
  • All vegetables are medium sized unless stated otherwise
  • All recipes are tested and developed using a fan (convection) oven
  • Find out more about how nutrition is calculated.
  • Check out our must have Italian Pantry Staples.
  • You can also find all our Essential Kitchen Tools for Italian Cooking.

Did you try this recipe?Mention @insidetherustickitchen or tag #insidetherustickitchen! We'd love you see what you're getting up to in the kitchen!

More Italian Desserts

  • Pastiera Napoletana
  • Italian Mimosa cake (Torta Mimosa)
  • Crema Fritta (Deep Fried Custard)
  • Amaretto Red Wine Poached Pears

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Bani

    Thanks for great recipe,just i have a question.
    What can we use instead of marsala?unfortunately i don’t have it 🙁
    Thanks

    Reply

    • Inside the rustic kitchen

      Hi Bani, you can omit it altogether or use something like sherry or even a nut liqueur. Enjoy!

      Reply

  2. Marlee

    Now that is a gorgeous semifreddo! I haven't had it in a long time and I'm now going to make myself some this summer! Gorgeous!

    Reply

  3. Albert Bevia

    This semifreddo looks and sounds amazing, I do need this in my life!!! great recipe and I love the pictures with the instructions...superb work

    Reply

    • Inside the rustic kitchen

      Thanks so much Albert, so kind!

      Reply

  4. Cindy @ The Sweet Nerd

    I love the strawberries and melted chocolate drizzled on top. Nice touch.Chocolate Semifreddo Recipe (9)

    Reply

    • Inside the rustic kitchen

      Thanks Cindy, easy things to do and they make it look so impressive!

      Reply

  5. Diana

    This looks absolutely amazing! You just made crave chocolate mousse and it's so late at night here. Beautiful photography too!

    Reply

    • Inside the rustic kitchen

      Haha sorryyy, thanks so much Diana have a great night!

      Reply

  6. Maria

    This is amazing! Usually, I would hesitate to make something like this because it seems such a complicated recipe but you made it look so simple with the step-by-step pictures.Chocolate Semifreddo Recipe (10)

    Reply

    • Inside the rustic kitchen

      Thanks so much Maria, so happy the photos are helpful. I hope you give it a go it's so delicious!

      Reply

  7. Dannii

    What a beautiful looking dessert. This would be perfect for a dinner party, especially with those strawberries.Chocolate Semifreddo Recipe (11)

    Reply

    • Inside the rustic kitchen

      Thanks so much Dannii it would be great for a dinner party, so easy to prep ahead!

      Reply

  8. Jessica Robinson

    Looks like testing the recipe 4 times paid off!! I usually send the samples to my husband's work for them to taste test! Oh my goodness, chocolatey fluffy heaven! Love the idea of this Italian chocolate custard. Looks do delish!Chocolate Semifreddo Recipe (12)

    Reply

    • Inside the rustic kitchen

      Ha yes, I had to get it as light and creamy as can be. Thanks so much Jessica! P.S totally doing that in future

      Reply

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Chocolate Semifreddo Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between semifreddo and ice cream? ›

Semifreddo—Italian for "half-cold" or "half frozen"—got its name because of its unique texture. Even though it's technically frozen, the Italian dessert stays soft and creamy. Unlike ice cream, semifreddo isn't churned. Whereas ice cream is scooped, semifreddo is molded and sliced, usually in a metal loaf pan.

Why is it called Semifreddo? ›

Semifreddo is not churned in a batch freezer, but instead is simply frozen in a mold. Semifreddo means “semi-cold,” and it earned its name because, thanks to its formulation, it feels less cold than it actually is.

What kind of frozen dessert is also known as Semifreddo? ›

Semifreddo (Italian: [ˌsemiˈfreddo]; lit. 'half-cold') or perfetti is a class of frozen desserts similar to ice cream. It is derived from the French parfait introduced in Italy during the 19th century. The main ingredients are egg yolks, sugar, and cream.

What is a semifreddo cake? ›

Semifreddo is the adult alternative to ice cream cake. Originating in Europe, Semifreddo is an Italian dessert meaning “half frozen” and is like ice cream cake in texture but is deliciously smooth and creamy.

What does semifreddo mean in Italian? ›

It roughly translates to “half cold” in Italian, meaning that you should expect a frozen treat brought to your table! Semifreddo refers to a collection of frozen desserts that bear a striking resemblance to ice cream, but aren't quite the same thing.

What is a semifreddo in Italian? ›

Semifreddo (in Italian means 'half-cold' or 'half-frozen'), is a frozen dessert, texture-wise, it is similar between ice cream and mousse.

What is the difference between spumoni and semifreddo? ›

In Italy, it's traditionally a semifreddo-like molded dessert, while in the US it's more ice cream-like and scoopable. Spumoni has two main distinguishing characteristics: the inclusion of nuts and/or candied fruit, and the tendency to layer different flavors, Neapolitan-style, into a single batch.

How long can you keep semifreddo in freezer? ›

You can store semifreddo in the freezer for several weeks and up to 2 months. However, for the best quality and taste, you should consume it within the first 2 weeks. Over time, the texture and flavor may change, so it's a good idea to mark the date you prepared it and keep an eye on the storage time.

What do Greeks call ice cream? ›

Ice cream in its modern form, or pagotó (Greek: παγωτό), was introduced in Greece along its development in Europe in the beginning of the 20th century.

What is similar to semifreddo? ›

Italian semifreddo is often compared to French parfait. But true Italian semifreddo is made by folding whipped cream into Italian meringue (which is where the egg whites are whipped with boiling hot sugar syrup, which cooks them and stabilises them).

What is Italy's famous frozen dessert called? ›

Gelato is a frozen dessert of Italian origin, similar to ice cream. In fact, “Gelato” simply means “ice cream” in Italian. However, this ice cream has a softer, more velvety texture than American ice cream.

What is brownie and ice cream called? ›

Sizzling brownie is a dessert available in India, made popular by cafes and restaurants of Mumbai, Kerala and Bihar. It is a chocolate brownie with a scoop of ice cream on top served with a generous pouring of melted chocolate on the ice-cream.

What is a Tom Selleck cake? ›

Tom Selleck – Sometimes Better Than Sex Cake or Robert Redford is a Midwest dessert that is a shortbread crust, chocolate pudding layer, and cream top. I cannot tell you why this dessert is called Tom Selleck.

What is a godfather cake? ›

A two-tier Godfather themed cake featuring all hand-modeled and edible elements from the classic movie. The cake is lemon chiffon with a delicious raspberry butter-cream filling, covered in dark chocolate ganache and LMM fondant.

What is cake bomb? ›

WHAT IS A CAKE BOMB®? Cake Bombs® are miniature flavored cakes with the. flavor in the cake base as well as the glaze.

What is semifreddo made of? ›

Like ice cream, the most common ingredients are eggs, sugar, milk and heavy cream. The technique for creating semifreddo varies from recipe to recipe. Some recipes will come together by combining whipped cream, whipped egg whites and beaten egg yolks, and sugar.

What do Italians call ice cream? ›

In Italian, gelato is the generic word for ice cream and means simply 'frozen', independent of the style, so every kind of ice cream is referred to as such.

What are the four types of ice cream? ›

There's gelato, there's frozen yogurt, there's sorbet, and there's just plain ol' ice cream.

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