Semifreddo
Italian frozen dessert
Semifreddo
CourseDessert
Place of originItaly
Main ingredientsEgg white, sugar, cream
  •   Media: Semifreddo

Semifreddo (Italian: [ˌsemiˈfreddo]; lit. 'half-cold' or 'half-frozen') is a class of frozen desserts prepared mainly with egg whites, sugar, and cream.[1][2] It has a light, airy texture likened to mousse or light cake that is created by whipping air into the mixture before freezing.[2][3][4][5] Some recipes place cake, nougat, sliced fruit, caramelised fruit, jelly, or pudding at the core and base of the semifreddo.[5]

It differs from ice cream in that the semifreddo is frozen in molds (not churned), is lighter in texture, uses egg whites (whereas ice cream and custard uses the yolks), and uses more cream and sugar to create a fluffier consistency.[2]

Etymology

The origin of the word 'semifreddo' is not clearly defined, although it is supposed to indicate that it is only partially frozen.[6][7][8] The Italian semifreddo is supposed to have been based on the French parfait and Italian gelato, and became popular around the 20th century as a simpler alternative to ice cream and gelato.[7][8] The earliest recorded mention of the semifreddo is in Antonio Nebbia's Il Cuoco Maceratese (1779), in which he describes the semifreddo di latte as a "mixture of milk, sugar, and cream that is chilled until it reaches a consistency similar to frozen custard."[8]

Method of preparation

The preparation of a semifreddo incorporates elements from classic desserts such as Italian or French meringue. Traditional semifreddo is made by caramelising sugar to 248°F, whishing it into egg whites, and then folding the mixture into whipped cream. The mixture is then piped into molds and frozen until firm (typically 6-8 hours or preferably overnight).[9][10] To make 8 servings, 2 cups heavy whipping cream, 1 cup sugar, and 6 egg whites are required.[9]

The dessert can be elevated by adding a base (of cake, nuts, or fruit) and a core (of nougat, jelly, or pudding). The semifreddo can also be flavoured using vanilla extract or beans, lemon curd, chocolate (called semifreddo al cioccolato), or small pieces of fruits and nuts. [11][12]

Despite being a simple dessert with only three main ingredients, its preparation is considered technical because incorrect techniques can cause the dish to become too dense, split, or harder than desired. The mixture must be sufficiently aerated, else it will collapse on itself in the freezer and take on the dense consistency of mousse. However, over-whipping will cause the cream to become grainy after freezing.[13] Flavouring agents must be incorporated into the whipped eggs, not the cream lest is seize and split.[13] Similarly, the mixture and additional elements must be cooled before being folded into the cold cream to prevent it from splitting.[14][13] Lastly, the semifreddo should be lightly piped into parchment-lined or silicone molds so that it stays fluffy and can be easily removed.[13]

Similar desserts

Parfait differs from semifreddo in that it contains only pâte à bombe and neither Italian meringue nor whipped cream.[15]

Biscotto ghiacciato contains, in addition to Italian meringue, semi-whipped cream and fruit purée.[16]

See also

References

  1. ^ Abigail Rose (22 June 2021). "Semifreddo Is the Easy Answer to Making Homemade Ice Cream Without a Machine". Allrecipes. Retrieved 2022-08-02.
  2. ^ a b c MasterClass (19 March 2025). "How to Make Semifreddo: Homemade Semifreddo al Cioccolato Recipe". MasterClass. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  3. ^ Sharon Tyler Herbst; Ron Herbst (2009). The Deluxe Food Lover's Companion. Barron's snippet. p. 392. ISBN 978-0-7641-6241-1.
  4. ^ Charles Sinclair (2009). Dictionary of Food: International Food and Cooking Terms from A to Z. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 1202. ISBN 978-1-4081-0218-3.
  5. ^ a b nonnabox (2019-12-11). "How to Make Italian Lemon Semifreddo Recipe". Authentic Italian Recipes from Nonna Box. Retrieved 2020-07-13.
  6. ^ MasterClass (19 March 2025). "How to Make Semifreddo: Homemade Semifreddo al Cioccolato Recipe". MasterClass. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  7. ^ a b nonnabox (2019-12-11). "How to Make Italian Lemon Semifreddo Recipe". Authentic Italian Recipes from Nonna Box. Retrieved 2020-07-13.
  8. ^ a b c Bryce, Nolan (20 May 2025). "Unveiling the Origins of Semifreddo: A Journey Through Time and Taste". Table and Spoon. Archived from the original on 16 December 2025. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  9. ^ a b MasterClass (19 March 2025). "How to Make Semifreddo: Homemade Semifreddo al Cioccolato Recipe". MasterClass. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  10. ^ nonnabox (2019-12-11). "How to Make Italian Lemon Semifreddo Recipe". Authentic Italian Recipes from Nonna Box. Retrieved 2020-07-13.
  11. ^ MasterClass (19 March 2025). "How to Make Semifreddo: Homemade Semifreddo al Cioccolato Recipe". MasterClass. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  12. ^ nonnabox (2019-12-11). "How to Make Italian Lemon Semifreddo Recipe". Authentic Italian Recipes from Nonna Box. Retrieved 2020-07-13.
  13. ^ a b c d Taylor, Ava (19 May 2025). "Gordon Ramsay Chocolate Semifreddo Recipe". Chef Ramsay Recipes. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  14. ^ Bryce, Nolan (20 May 2025). "Unveiling the Origins of Semifreddo: A Journey Through Time and Taste". Table and Spoon. Archived from the original on 16 December 2025. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  15. ^ "Parfait, semifreddi e mousse: scopriamo insieme questi dolci". Primo Chef (in Italian). 2019-08-06. Retrieved 2022-06-14.
  16. ^ Preti, G. (1985). Il gelato artigianale italiano: 214 ricette (in Italian). Hoepli Editore. ISBN 978-88-203-1338-8.
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