Chocolate Espresso Semifreddo
41 comments » 
Do you like those slushy, cold drinks that Starbucks sells? I believe Mocha Frappuccino is the name? Those, along with the hot chocolate, are the only drinks I enjoy from Starbucks. I know, I know, I’m in the minority. In any case, this dessert tastes like one of those drinks, spread over an Oreo cookie crust and popped into the freezer. In other words, absolutely freaking delicious. Now I had heard of semifreddo before and have even watched Giada DeLaurentiis make a couple, but I wasn’t sure what exactly classified a particular frozen dessert as a semifreddo, so I did some Googling. According to Wikipedia:
Semifreddo (Italian for “half cold”) is a class of semi-frozen desserts,
typically ice cream cakes, semi-frozen custards, and certain fruit tarts.
It also refers to an ice cream sandwich, in which the bread
is a lightly toasted croissant. It has the texture of frozen mousse.
This definitely qualifies as a semi-frozen custard and certainly has the texture of a frozen mousse.
Annie and I had planned on making this recipe waaaay back last summer, but we somehow got sidetracked and never did it. Well, good things come to those who wait, and this is definitely a good thing. It does require a number of steps: making the crust, making the custard, mixing cream cheese and cream, heating egg whites, whipping egg whites, lots of folding… and finally freezing. Ironically, even though it required a number of steps, it didn’t seem as though it took very long to put together, maybe an hour at most.
Notes on the recipe:
♦ I cut this recipe into ¼ and made it in a miniature 4-inch springform pan.
♦ The original recipe calls for mascarpone cheese, rather than cream cheese. I just couldn’t justify spending a ton of money on mascarpone when my gut told me that cream cheese would be just as good. And it was, it added a fabulous flavor. Plus I already knew I liked the coffee/cream cheese combination from making the Coffee-and-Espresso Layered Cheesecake, and it was just as good this time around.
♦ The egg whites seemed to take forever to get to 145°F. I was admittedly annoyed. I think next time I will buy pasteurized eggs that have already been heated to that temperature remove bacteria. This is what I did when I made Tiramisu that required raw eggs.
♦ I’m messy when I drizzle chocolate, I think it’s more fun that way.
♦ Serving this with a raspberry coulis would be scrumptious. Unfortunately, I just thought of that this very second. Ahh, hindsight!
In the mood for a frozen treat that doesn’t involve multiple steps? Try this Classic Vanilla Ice Cream. Simple, creamy, and delicious. Perfect with pies, warm brownies, or all by itself!
1 Year Ago: Eclairs and Cream Puffs
Chocolate Espresso Semifreddo
Yield: 8 to 12 servings
Prep Time: 30 minutes (active) 4 hours (inactive)
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 5 hours
Ingredients:
For the crust:
1¾ cup chocolate cookie crumbs
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, meltedFor the semifreddo:
3 ounces espresso
4 large eggs, separated
2 tablespoons sugar
1/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 tablespoon Kahlua or coffee liquor
4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped
16 ounces cream cheese
2 ounces heavy creamDirections:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly butter the bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform pan.
2. Combine the cookie crumbs and melted butter and press into the bottom of the springform pan. Bake for 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.
3. Over a double boiler, whisk together the yolks and 2 tablespoons of sugar until it is pale yellow and thick. Add espresso, Kahlua, and vanilla. Place over simmering water and whisk continuously and vigorously until liquid coats the back of a spoon and the mixture is thick and foamy.
4. Remove from the heat and add the chocolate. Stir until melted and continue stirring until cooled.
5. In a separate bowl, stir together the cream cheese and heavy cream until smooth. Do not overstir.
6. Place egg whites and 1/3 cup sugar in a mixing bowl. Gently whisk together over a simmering double boiler until it reaches 145°F. Remove from the heat and set the bowl on the mixer with the balloon whisk attachment. Whip on medium high until stiff peaks form. Reduce the speed to medium and mix until the bowl is cool to the touch.
7. Fold the cream cheese mixture into the chocolate mixture until there are no streaks left.
8. Fold ¼ of the meringue (egg white mixture) into the chocolate-cream cheese mixture. Fold in the remaining meringue in three parts. Do not overmix.
9. Spread the mixture over the baked crust in the pan. Tightly cover with plastic wrap and freeze for at least 4 hours.
10. When ready to serve, run a warm, dry knife around the sides of the pan, then loosen and remove the sides of the pan. Decorate with a drizzle of melted chocolate and fresh berries, if desired. Serve cold and cut slices with a warm, dry knife.
(Adapted from use real butter)
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Definitely going on my list to make for my next dinner party. Seems like a perfect summer treat with a beautiful presentation!
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I’m in the minority too, haha
Love your variation of the semifreddo!
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I absolutely love what you have here, and I’d take those dripping (they look great)
Makes perfect dessert to cool down the summer heat! Kudos
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Looks yummy… now if I only liked coffee more…
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That just looks too good to be true! I am sitting here with nothing in the house and craving something sweet and I find this! Damm you anyway
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Woman with a Whisk – Thank you! A dinner party would be a perfect occasion for this!
VeggieGirl – Thanks! Glad I’m not the only one not enamored with Starbucks!
TammyJo – I am definitely not a coffee lover, but this dessert is fabulous! The espresso definitely lends a coffee flavor, but paired with the chocolate, it’s great!
Niall – Sorry! Maybe you can make this tomorrow!
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Anything that involves a coffee ice cream-like taste and texture is A++++ in my book! Looks divine!
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Gorgeous and the perfect dessert for summer! I love the raspberries and drizzle chocolate on top!
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I could go for some of this! Looks fabulous!
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This looks like a dessert that calls for a special event, so I think I’ll plan a special event so I can make it:) I love your recipe tips, really helps.
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Heidi – Good call on creating a special event for making this! I’m glad that you found my tips helpful, thanks so much for the feedback!
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I love frappaccinos, this dessert looks amazingly delicious. I will have to make this soon.
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Oh my! This looks fabulous! I can’t wait to try this. Your photos are gorgeous.
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This looks just amazing! So beautiful! Love your blog.
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Cookin’ Canuck – Thanks for the compliment on the photos!
Food Librarian – Thank you! So happy that you enjoy my blog; yours is one of my favorites!
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If it tastes like the frappuccino, count me in!
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Gorgeous job Chelle!
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This looks absolutely wonderful! I’m a big fan of the pasteurized shell eggs and love to use them in recipes like this. (BTW you can get great coupons if you go to the safeeggs.com site and fill out the short survey.) I think I’ll make it this weekend.
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Bette – Thanks for the tip on coupons! If you make it this weekend definitely let me know how you liked it!
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wow that looks totally decadent! sorry i haven’t been around much, life has been super busy… haven’t even been on the WC board for a while now. hope you’re doing well
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Hi Jaime – no need to apologize! I saw that you are expecting a baby girl – congratulations!
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Wow this is stunning!
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145 degrees for the egg whites is also (if you don’t have a thermometer) the point at which the sugar is completely dissolved into the egg whites. so, while whisking over the heat, dip your finger in — if it still feels a little grainy, keep heating. It is a PITA, but ensures that all the sugar is completely incorporated, and that your meringue will be fluffier.
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Hi Joanne – Thanks so much for the additional information on heating the egg whites and dissolving the sugar. Great info!
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Beautiful pictures! I love the messy chocolate. This is one for my menu. Thanks for sharing!
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…Saved to my recipe box- This looks delicious!
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Beautiful photos and I love the way you drizzled your chocolate! I don’t make desserts often but this looks too good not to try!
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I loved making this with you! Can’t wait to see what you pick next
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Oooh I can’t wait to make this! Looks great! And I love frappuccinos too, you aren’t alone!
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delicious .I love chocolat and eclairs and semifreddo.
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Decided to make this last minute for a dinner party. Was very tasty and everyone liked it. I was happy I was able to eat more then a few bites unlike the peanut butter torte(Although I’m not complaining). I’m glad I followed your idea with the smaller 4inch spring forms. Keeps me from making a total pig of myself
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I’d love to feature your blogpost for this month’s Tasty Tools, where we are highlighting springform pans. Would it be okay to give you some blog link love and include you in the round up with a picture of your dish?
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Jacob – So glad that you and your guests enjoyed this! I am definitely a huge fan of the mini springform pans!
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I made this for our Valentine’s Day dessert tonight. It was fantastic! Thanks for this great recipe.
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this looks delicious..yummi..i look for inspiration cause i have a lot of oreo cookies at home,so i will be making some sweets.please come in and check my blog at
http://smulansbakblogg.blogspot.com
welcome,and see ya there
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