Zuppa Inglese

Zuppa Inglese is not a soup in the traditional sense, but a typical Italian spoon dessert that vaguely recalls the English trifle. Its preparation involves the use of ladyfingers or sponge cake, custard cream, and Alchermes liqueur for the characteristic red coloring. Here’s how to prepare Zuppa Inglese:

Ingredients

• A sufficient quantity of ladyfingers or sponge cake to make one or more layers in your container
• 500 ml of custard cream
• Alchermes, as needed (enough to soak the biscuits or sponge cake)
• Unsweetened cocoa powder for dusting (optional)
• (Optional) Dark chocolate shavings or candied fruit for garnishing

Preparation

1. Prepare the custard cream following the classic recipe and let it cool.
2. If you don’t have ladyfingers or sponge cake already, you can make them or buy them ready-made.
3. Soak the ladyfingers or sponge cake slices in Alchermes so that they absorb the liquor without falling apart.
4. In a baking dish or dessert container, lay a layer of Alchermes-soaked ladyfingers or sponge cake.
5. Spread a layer of custard cream over the ladyfingers.
6. Add another layer of soaked ladyfingers and continue alternating layers until the container is filled.
7. Finish with a layer of custard cream.
8. Sprinkle the surface with unsweetened cocoa powder and, if desired, decorate with dark chocolate shavings or candied fruit.
9. Allow to rest in the fridge for at least a few hours before serving, so that the flavors blend well together.

Zuppa Inglese is a dessert that is also well suited to be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator until it’s time to serve.

Curiosity

The name “Zuppa Inglese” actually does not come from England, but is a corruption of “soup in glass,” referring to the fact that it was originally served in tall glasses. The spread of this dessert in Italy is often linked to the Emilia-Romagna region, although there are many regional variations.