Easy Mocha Semifreddo Recipe

This Mocha Semifreddo Recipe cuts down the steps of making a zabaione and a meringue!

A delicious dessert that is like ice cream and needs no churning is Semifreddo.

We love coffee, given a choice, I will eat, drink and breathe coffee and chocolate with coffee is our favourite combination. So there was nothing not to like in this semifrío or an ice cream cake! Coffee, chocolate and whipped cream! Can it get any better?

I was like a kid in the candy store right now the variety is mind-boggling and I knew nothing about it!!

Thanks to Sasmita at FirstTimer Cook’s, whose amazing pictures floor you is our hostess this week. Do check her Instant Bread Vada Recipe it is delicious. Sasmita's suggested we show our #245 Love for Coffee for Foodie Monday Blog Hop.

Honestly speaking I had not heard of Semifreddo. I just happened to stumble on it. I was hunting for a coffee recipe since I have already made dalgona coffee I did not want anything similar, cake or frappe were my last options. When I saw this Mocha Semifreddo.

The benefit of making Semifreddo is that you do not need an ice cream maker.
A little practice to master the technique and the right recipe like I said the varieties are, for the want of a better word, vast.
Your whisk, pots and pans are more than enough. A true Semifreddo is served sliced.
in this method of making Semifrio you need not make the zabaione, a meringue, and whipped cream. The first 2 steps are clubbed.

Chef John ( from whose post I have copied this recipe) in his post said that,

”The classic procedure is a little bothersome since you need to make three separate components – a zabaione, a meringue, and whipped cream – so, I decided to simply use the eggs whole, and make a 'zabaringue.' I knew I wouldn't get as much volume, but I didn't care."
Chef John

How is this Semifreddo recipe different from the Classic one?

Now, making the ‘zabaringue’ or custard with whole eggs can be tricky for you are heating the whole eggs on a flame, not a double boiler.
I kept putting the pan off the low flame often as my arm got tired whisking. Also, I wanted to make sure I am not overcooking the eggs.
But once I reached the ribbon stage without any problems I was thrilled! After that, it was easy to put the dessert together.

Eggs: I have used the whole eggs. Unfortunately, I cannot think of any replacement for eggs,
Sugar: use regular white sugar,
Coffee: instant coffee that you have at home,
Coffee Liqueur: Since I do not have liqueur I have used 1 teaspoon instant coffee powder with 2 tablespoon of water,
Cocoa Powder: what is mocha without cocoa in it. Use unsweetened cocoa powder,
Whipping cream: I use Tropolite Whipping Cream it does not need sugar in case you are using some other whipping cream then please check and use about a tablespoon of sugar.

Method of making Semifreddo

Put a dry metal bowl and the dry beaters in the refrigerator with the whipping cream.
In a metal bowl, I used my steel kadhai/wok. Add the eggs, sugar, coffee, in case you are using liqueur use that or the substitute and cocoa powder. Whisk well, the egg bolk should break and you should have a homogeneous mixture.
Place it on low flame and keep whisking the mixture till the mixture thickens. Hold the bowl firmly and keep whisking continuously; you do not want the eggs to scramble. Get the bowl off the flame if your arm tires or you need to check on the custard.
Once your whisk starts leaving ribbons in the custard, get it off the flame to cool completely. You can if you are in a hurry set the bowl on an ice bath.
On another ice bath set the bowl of whipping cream add sugar if your cream is not sweetened. Beat the cream till you get stiff peaks.
Mix the cool egg custard in the cream till combined.
Transfer to bowls or in case you plan to use a loaf pan line it with cling film then add the combined cream and custard.
Cover the bowls, pan with cling film and set in the freezer to firm for a minimum 8 hours. Overnight is fine too.
To serve, drizzle a little whipped cream, sprinkle with cocoa powder.

Difficulty Level?

I have to rate the difficulty level for Mocha semifreddo I will say intermediate for making the custard with whole eggs is the hurdle. After that its a breeze!

Recipe Card:

Making Semifreddo a delicious desset in an easier way does not compromise the deliciousness!

4.77 from 13 votes

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Course: Desserts

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: Dairy Recipes, Italian Cuisine

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 8

Freezing time: 8

Total Time: 8 18

Servings: bowls

Calories: 279kcal

Author: ArchanaPotdar

Ingredients

2 large eggs
2 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon coffee-flavoured liqueur see notes for substitution
1 ½ teaspoon instant coffee
1 teaspoon cocoa powder unsweetened
¼ cup whipping cream ice cold
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon whipped cream for garnish optional
1 pinch unsweetened cocoa powder for dusting optional

Instructions

Dry the beaters and bowl then add the whipping cream in it, add sugar if needed.
In a steel kadhai/wok whisk the sugar, eggs, coffee powder, cocoa powder, water.
On low flame heat, the mixture whisking continuously till there are ribbons in the custard. Set aside to cool on an ice bath.
Now, remove the bowl and beaters from the fridge and put on an ice bath.
whip the cream till you get stiff peaks. About 5 minutes is more than enough.
Mix the whipped cream in the egg mixture using a spatula till well combined.
I have used bowls to set my Semifreddo so added it directly to the individual bowls. If you want to set it as a loaf then line the loaf pan with cling film and add all the mixture.
Smoothen the top, cover with plastic cling and freeze till firm for about 8 hours. I froze them overnight.
To serve garnish with whipped cream and a dusting of cocoa powder.

Notes

In case you do not have coffee-flavoured liqueur use 1 teaspoon of coffee and 2 tablespoon of water.

Pin for Later:

Semifreddo/semifrío/ ice cream cake simple yet delicious

Comments

4.77 from 13 votes (2 ratings without comment)