Homemade Vanilla Semifreddo

a homemade vanilla semifreddo with blueberries, on a stylish dark blue plate

 Homemade vanilla semifreddo is a delightful, elegant Italian dessert that I can describe as being half way between a mousse and an ice cream. Literally meaning half frozen, semifreddo was born in Italy sometime in the early 1900’s. 

This elegant treat is a masterpiece of flavour and texture, perfect for impressing guests or just satisfying your own cravings.

What sets this dessert apart is its ethereal texture. Unlike traditional ice cream, semifreddo is semi-frozen, resulting in a velvety smoothness that melts effortlessly on your tongue. Each bite is a harmonious balance of creamy indulgence and refreshing coolness, leaving you craving more.

Made with a creamy custard base and infused with a real vanilla, every spoonful of semifreddo transports you to a place of pure decadence. The natural sweetness of the vanilla infused custard, creates a delicate, aromatic flavour profile that’s both comforting and luxurious.

Not only is homemade vanilla semifreddo a show-stopping dessert, but it is also surprisingly easy to make. With just 5 ingredients and a bit of patience, you can create a frozen masterpiece. To make a semifreddo you create a base mixture by combining eggs, sugar, and flavourings such as vanilla. Into this you fold whipped cream to add airiness and lightness.

Unlike traditional ice cream, homemade vanilla semifreddo does not require churning in an ice cream maker.  The freezing process firms up the dessert while retaining a semi-frozen, mousse-like consistency. The absence of churning makes semifreddo easier to prepare than traditional ice cream. It requires neither an ice cream machine nor frequent stirring. The satisfaction of crafting this delightful treat from scratch is truly rewarding, and your guests will be astounded by your culinary prowess.

Whether served at an elegant dinner party or enjoyed as a special treat at home, homemade vanilla semifreddo is a timeless classic. It never fails to captivate the senses. It’s a testament to the artistry of combining simple ingredients to create a dessert that is both visually stunning and utterly delicious.

Equipment: You’ll just need some basic kitchen tools including a set of Electronic scales, a Resealable and freezer-safe container and a set of Measuring spoons

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Homemade Vanilla Semifreddo Recipe

a homemade vanilla semifreddo with blueberries, on a stylish dark blue plate

Homemade Vanilla Semifreddo

A sublime, lusciously smooth frozen treat that strikes the perfect balance between the creamy richness of ice cream and a light, airy mousse
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Freezing Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 30 minutes
Course Dessert, Frozen Treat
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6 servings
Calories 460 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 5 yolks Egg
  • 150 gram Sugar (Caster or superfine)
  • 1 pod Vanilla (Seeds scraped out)
  • 350 ml Double Cream
  • 200 grams Mascarpone

Instructions
 

Prep

  • Separate egg yolks from the whites and place to the side in a bowl. Cover and refridgerate the whites to use in a meringue or mousse
  • Cut the vanilla pod in half length-ways and gently scrape out the tiny seeds with the back of a knife. Place both parts to the side (See recipe notes for suggested uses of the seedless pod)
  • Line a 1lt capacity straight edged, resealable and freezer-safe container with baking/ parchment paper (See recipe notes)
  • Weigh/ measure the other ingredients

To Make

  • Place a heatproof bowl over a pan of slowly simmering water (making sure the bowl does not touch the water) and vigorously whisk the egg yolks, sugar and a teaspoon or two of water. In 3-5 minutes, the mixture should have at least doubled in size and grown much paler. Take off the heat and whisk for 2-3 more minutes
  • In a separate bowl, whisk the cream until you can withdraw the whisk to leave a soft, falling peak
  • Using a spatula or a large spoon, gently fold the egg mixture into the cream mixture. Combine well but be careful not to knock out all of the air you've just whisked into both mixtures. Take your time
  • Scrape combined mixture into a resealable, freezer-proof container and freeze until firm, this should take about 6hrs or even overnight. Check the mixture after an hour to see if it needs a brief mix with a spatula or spoon, this will depend on how well you mixed it on the previous step

To Serve

  • Remove from the freezer 5-10 minutes before you wish to serve (depending on your ambient temperature) Run a knife between the edges of the paper liner and the container, place a plate or board on top and turn the whole thing upside down. Peel back the paper and slice the semifreddo into the desired size and serve. Alternatively, scoop the semifreddo our as you would with ice cream, if you're planning to do this there is no need to line your container

Notes

  • To line your rectangular or square container, turn the container upside down and lay the baking paper over it. Cut the paper so it’s just slightly bigger. From each corner of the paper cut diagonally towards the centre, make the cut roughly the same length as the height of the pan. Use the cuts to neatly push the baking paper into the corners and bottom edges of the container
  • Don’t throw away the vanilla pod! Here’s 3 delicious uses for it: 1) Infused Sugar: Place the empty vanilla pod in a resealable, airtight container of sugar to infuse it with a lovely vanilla flavour. The pod will continue to release its aroma and enhance the sugar, which can be used in baking or for a delicious vanilla coffee. 2) Homemade Vanilla Liquor: Place the empty vanilla pod in a bottle of alcohol, such as vodka, and let it steep for several weeks. This will create your own homemade vanilla vodka, what’s not to love! 3) Vanilla Syrup: Add the empty vanilla pod to a saucepan with water and sugar to create a vanilla-infused syrup. When cooled, this syrup can be used to sweeten drinks or desserts.
  • To line your container, turn it upside down and lay the baking paper over it. Cut the paper so it’s very slightly bigger than the container. From each corner of the paper cut diagonally towards the centre, make the cut roughly the same length as the height of the container. Use the cuts to neatly push the baking paper into the corners and bottom edges of the container
  • You may wish to serve semifreddo on a chilled plate or dish. Because of its texture it will soften quicker than ice cream and if presentation is important to you this will help it hold its shape longer

Nutrition

Calories: 460kcal
Keyword Frozen Dessert, Semifreddo, Sweet treats, Vanilla custard recipes, Vanilla desserts
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