Lemon and Almond Semifreddo

Lemon and almond semifreddo is a fresh and fragrant dessert, perfect for finishing a meal lightly. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

• 250 ml of fresh whipping cream
• 4 egg yolks
• 100 g of granulated sugar
• Grated zest of 2 organic lemons
• 60 ml of fresh lemon juice
• 30 g of finely chopped almonds
• Sliced almonds for garnishing (optional)

Preparation

1. Begin by whipping the cold cream from the refrigerator until it becomes soft and fluffy. Once ready, keep it in the fridge.
2. In a bowl, whip the egg yolks with the sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
3. Grate the zest of the lemons and add it to the mixture of yolks and sugar.
4. Add the lemon juice and chopped almonds to the mixture and stir until all the ingredients are well mixed.
5. Gently fold the whipped cream into the mixture, taking care not to deflate it.
6. Pour the mixture into a loaf pan lined with parchment paper or into a semifreddo mold, then place in the freezer for at least 4 hours, until the semifreddo is well set.
7. Before serving, take it out of the freezer and let it soften for a few minutes. If desired, you can garnish with toasted sliced almonds.

The lemon and almond semifreddo can be further personalized by adding, for example, a spoonful of amaretto liqueur to give an extra touch of flavor to the almonds.

Curiosity

Semifreddo is a cold dessert typically consumed in summer or on special occasions for its freshness and its delicate texture reminiscent of a rich and full-bodied ice cream. Its name, which in Italian means “half cold,” refers to the fact that it has a softer consistency compared to ice cream and does not require the use of an ice cream maker for its preparation.