Orange-Almond Semifreddo

A Semifreddo is similar to ice cream, in that it can also contain eggs, sugar and cream, but differs in that it has the texture of a frozen mousse. And because of that, you don’t need an ice cream maker to create this deliciously frosty dessert!

Toast almonds in a dry skillet until lightly browned, then add a teaspoon of sugar. Once sugar dissolves, shake pan to fully coat the almonds. Pour onto a cutting board to cool, then chop (coarse or fine, as desired). Cool completely.

In a small bowl whip the egg whites until soft peaks form, set aside.
In a medium bowl beat together the yolks and sugar, then fold in the egg whites.
In a large bowl whip the crème fraiche until thick, then fold in the egg white mixture and Amaretto.

Pour half the mixture into a plastic lined loaf pan, spreading out evenly. Sprinkle over the caramelized almonds (reserve a few tablespoons for garnish), then cover with remaining mixture. Press another piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface, and freeze until solid.

For the sauce, drain oranges and pour liquid into a small skillet. Reserve half the oranges as garnish and puree the rest, and pour into skillet. Add Amaretto and bring to a boil, reducing mixture by half. Strain mixture or leave with the pulp in. Set aside to cool.

To serve, remove plastic wrap from ice cream, and cut into thick slices. Drizzle with orange sauce and top with reserved orange segments and candied almonds.

Orange-Almond Semifreddo

Marla Hingley

If you're making your own crème fraiche, be sure to make it 2 days in advance so it has plenty of time to set up.

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Prep Time 4 hrs

Cook Time 5 mins

Total Time 4 hrs 5 mins

Servings 8

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 2/3 cup blanched almonds whole or sliced
• 2/3 cup sugar divided
• 5 eggs separated
• 2 cups crème fraiche
• 2 Tbsp Amaretto

Sauce

• Small can of mandarin oranges
• ¼ cup Amaretto

Instructions

 

• Toast almonds in a dry skillet until lightly browned, then add a teaspoon of sugar. Once sugar dissolves, shake pan to fully coat the almonds. Pour onto a cutting board to cool, then chop (coarse or fine, as desired). Cool completely.
• In a small bowl whip the egg whites until soft peaks form, set aside.
• In a medium bowl beat together the yolks and sugar, then fold in the egg whites.
• In a large bowl whip the crème fraiche until thick, then fold in the egg white mixture and Amaretto.
• Pour half the mixture into a plastic lined loaf pan, spreading out evenly. Sprinkle over the caramelized almonds (reserve a few tablespoons for garnish), then cover with remaining mixture. Press another piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface, and freeze until solid.
• For sauce, drain oranges and pour liquid into a small skillet. Reserve half the oranges as garnish and puree the rest, and pour into skillet. Add Amaretto and bring to a boil, reducing mixture by half. Strain mixture or leave with the pulp in. Set aside to cool.
• To serve, remove plastic wrap from ice cream, and cut into thick slices. Drizzle with orange sauce and top with reserved orange segments and almonds.

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