Chocolate and Hazelnut Semifreddo

Chocolate and hazelnut semifreddo is a refined and delicious dessert, perfect for concluding a dinner or for a special occasion. Here is how you can prepare it:

Ingredients

• 200 grams of high-quality dark chocolate
• 100 grams of toasted and coarsely chopped hazelnuts
• 3 egg yolks
• 2 egg whites
• 100 grams of caster sugar
• 250 ml of fresh cream to whip
• 1 pinch of salt
• Whole hazelnuts for decoration

Preparation

1. Begin by melting the chocolate in a double boiler or in the microwave, being careful not to burn it.
2. In the meantime, use an electric whisk or a stand mixer to whip the egg yolks with half of the caster sugar until a light and foamy mixture is formed.
3. In another bowl, whip the egg whites to firm peaks with a pinch of salt, gradually adding the remaining sugar until you achieve a glossy and stable meringue.
4. Whip the fresh cream until it is very firm as well.
5. When the chocolate is melted and slightly cooled, gently fold it into the mixture of egg yolks and sugar.
6. Add the toasted and chopped hazelnuts to the chocolate mixture.
7. At this point, gradually and gently fold the whipped egg whites into the mixture, alternating with the whipped cream, trying not to deflate the mixture.
8. Pour the mixture into a loaf tin lined with cling film or a mold of your choice.
9. Cover with cling film and place in the freezer for at least 4 hours or until the semifreddo has solidified.
10. Before serving, take the semifreddo out of the freezer and let it rest for about 10-15 minutes at room temperature.
11. Invert the mold onto a serving plate, remove the cling film, and decorate with whole hazelnuts or with additional melted chocolate or chocolate shavings.

Did you know?

The term “semifreddo” refers to a dessert that is served cold, but not frozen like ice cream. Its consistency is creamier and softer. The word itself means “half cold” in Italian, which evokes this intermediate characteristic between ice cream and mousse. The versatility of semifreddo allows for playing with a great variety of flavors and ingredients, making it one of the most beloved cold desserts.