White Chocolate and Coffee Semi Freddo

Before we check out the recipe it is very important to know what is a Semi Freddo!It is a classic Italian dessert and Wikipedia describes it as

“The principal ingredients are usually eggs, sugar and cream. It has the texture of frozen mousse”

which means that it is essentially a kind of delicious Ice Cream!

But this recipe DOES NOT CONTAIN EGGS which is the first thing unique and it can be made in 30 minutes provided you have everything ready at hand!

However there is one ingredient which is used here which is exotic and that is Mascarpone Cheese which can be got at any of the big departmental stores selling imported products.In case you do not get Mascarpone,then proceed to make a custard either from store bought Vanilla flavour custard powder,for those who prefer eggs,they can make a normal custard with eggs,sugar and milk or a simple procedure with cornflour,milk Vanilla essence and sugar!

Recipe for Custard

Use 1 cup milk,2 tbsp cornflour,2 tsp Vanilla essence and 4 tbsp sugar.Mix the Cornflour with 1/4 cup of cold milk and blend well to dissolve any lumps.Heat the remaining milk and sugar and when it reaches boiling point,add the milk and cornflour mix.Stir well over low heat till it starts to thicken.Take off heat and let it cool for 30 minutes.Put a piece of clingfilm over the custard to prevent a “skin” from forming over it.After cooling to room temperature,add the vanilla essence and mix well.Use in in place of the Mascarpone Cheese!

I have used White cooking Chocolate which is easily available as “Morde” in big stores.You can use Milk Chocolate but Dark Chocolate would give a bitter taste and combined with the coffee would not love up to the taste of a classic semi freddo thereby I do not recommend Dark Chocolate!You can also use branded White/Milk Chocolates like Lindt,Cadbury’s or Nestle!
I have used normal cream like Nestle or Amul!
I have used whipping cream which is a little difficult to find but you can use the whipping cream powder now easily available or non diary creams like Tropolite!
Ensure that all ingredients are at room temperature before proceeding to the recipe!

How the Semi Freddo looks like…

So let us start making this delicious dessert!

Preparation Time : 30 – 45 minutes

Chilling Time : 4 – 5 hours

Makes : 7 – 8 Servings

INGREDIENTS

200 gms Mascarpone Cheese

1 tbsp Instant/Espresso Coffee Powder mixed with 2 tbsp hot water and cooled to room temperature

20 gms Icing sugar

75 gms White/Milk Chocolate (grated)

3 tbsp Cream

200 ml whipping cream

2 tbsp powdered/Castor sugar

For garnish :

2 tbsp grated Milk Chocolate

2 tbsp grated White Chocolate (if using)

1 tbsp Cocoa Powder

1/2 tbsp Instant Coffee/Espresso Powder

2 tbsp reserved whipping cream

METHOD

Take the Mascarpone and Icing sugar in a bowl and whisk till smooth and creamy and till the sugar is amalgamated.Add the coffee liquid and whisk again till everything is mixed well.

Reserve 1 tbsp of the grated Chocolate and add the rest to the Mascarpone mixture.

Whisk the whipping cream with 2 tbsp powdered sugar till it forms stiff peaks.Keeping aside 2 – 3 tbsp to garnish,fold(mix with an up and down movement to incorporate as much air as possible) the rest into the semi freddo mixture.Refrigerate the reserved cream immediately!

Pour this into a Ceramic/glass/tupperware airtight container and freeze for 4 – 5 hours or till set.

After setting the Semi Freddo…

To serve use Coffee cups for a great presentation or normal Ice Cream cups.Take the Semi Freddo out of the freezer and place in the refrigerator compartment 20 minutes before serving.Place 2 scoops of Semi Freddo in a Coffee/Ice cream cup.Spoon 1 tbsp whipped cream on top.Garnish with Cocoa Powder,Coffee Powder and grated Milk and White chocolate.

Serve as a classic dessert on every special occasion with lots of good wishes!