Citrus Semifreddo

Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis

Show: Everyday ItalianEpisode: A Cut Above the Rest

Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (16)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(16)

Cook Time:
5 min
Level:
--
Yield:
8 servings

Times:

Prep: 20 min
Inactive Prep: 8 hr 0 min
Cook: 5 min
Total:: 8 hr 25 min

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Ingredients

Nonstick cooking spray
4 ounces purchased amaretti cookies, crushed (about 20 small cookies) plus more for sprinkling
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup sugar, plus 1/4 cup
8 large egg yolks
1/4 cup lemon juice
3 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons limoncello
Pinch salt
1 lemon, zested
1 lime, zested
1 cup whipping cream

Directions

Spray a 9 by 5 by 3-inch metal loaf pan with nonstick spray. Line the pan with plastic wrap, allowing the excess to hang over the ends and sides.

Combine the crushed amaretti cookies and the melted butter. Put in the lined pan and press down to firm and form a crust.

Whisk 1/2 cup of the sugar, the egg yolks, lemon juice, lime juice, limoncello, and salt in a large metal bowl to blend. Set the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water (do not allow the bottom of the bowl to touch the water). Whisk the egg mixture until it is thick and creamy, and a thermometer inserted into the mixture registers 160 degrees F, about 5 minutes. Set the bowl of custard into another bowl of ice water to cool completely. Stir in the zest.

Using an electric mixer, beat the cream and remaining 1/4 cup sugar in another large bowl until firm peaks form. Using a large rubber spatula, gently fold the whipped cream into the custard. Spoon the mixture onto the prepared crust. Fold the overhanging plastic wrap over the custard and freeze until frozen, at least 8 hours or up to 3 days.

Unfold the plastic wrap. Invert the semifreddo onto a platter and peel off the plastic wrap. Cut the semifreddo into 1-inch slices and sprinkle with crushed amaretti cookies and serve.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Citrus Semifreddo
Jackie Cleveland, OH 08-21-2009
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Perfect summer dessert - crowd pleaser
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Made this as a quick treat for a casual weekday dinner. It was a hit. Simple to prepare, made a half recipe in a mini... loaf pan. Did not bother with cookies. Sliced the semifreddo and topped with thin slices of nectarines, a drizzle of limoncello and a mint garnish- YUM! Can't wait to make again.Read more
recipe Citrus Semifreddo
Anne-Marie Oakville, ON 03-19-2009
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delicious
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Made half the recipe in a mini loaf pan, turned out great. It's sweet enough and not tart at all.
recipe Citrus Semifreddo
Char Sequim, WA 11-12-2008
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FABULOUS
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This was the best dessert recipe I have ever tried. The only thing I did different was I could not find the amaretti cookies... so my friend suggested using almond roca.I put 8 of them in my food processor and ground them to my liking and sprinkled them in my lined dish. Doesn't take much. I did it just lightly and saved the rest to sprinkle on top when served. It was the best. You should try this I think you will like it. Thanks Giada CharRead more
recipe Citrus Semifreddo
Courtney birmingham, MI 08-07-2008
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Light and totally addicting!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

First off, Im was never a huge lemon fan. I am now learning to enjoy it. So if you don't like lemon, this probably isnt the... dessert for you as many of my co-workers thought it was a tad over tart. However, I truly enjoyed this dessert and chose to break it into 3 small loaf pans that I had to take to different places. I cannot stop eating this. It's very light in texture, and very flavorful at the same time. I left out the lemonchello and even forgot to add the zest last minute and it still turned out great. The cookie crunch on the top gives it an added zing! Love it, thanks Giada!Read more
recipe Citrus Semifreddo
Anonymous 07-14-2008
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An easy dessert for entertaining
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Great citrus flavor, delicious and richly flavored, though light tasting at the same time. A relatively easy dessert that,... best of all, can and should be prepared in advance.Read more
recipe Citrus Semifreddo
kim NYC, NY 06-30-2008
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Delicious, but a few kinks.
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

This was a delicious recipe!! Giada did it again! my only complaints were these: 1) I made this on a very hot day and that... made the double boiling really tedious and hot. 2) Although the recipe says it can be left in the freezer from 8 hours to 3 days, if you don't want a frozen block of custard then I suggest taking it out in maybe 4 or 5 hours. 3) Also the recipe was a little different then the way Giada actually made it on TV. For example, the recipe says to wisk the ingredients over the boiler, while on TV Giada uses an electric mixer. And the recipe tells you to line the bottom of the pan with cookie crumbs, while on TV Giada just crumbles them on top when it come out of the freezer. All and all, it was delicious (which is why I gave this dish 4 stars instead of 3). The fabulous flavor won out over the difficulties I had. And ginger snaps are the ideal substitute cookie for the amaretti ones. Almost perfect!!!Read more