MASTERCLASS
Baci semifreddo

Baci semifreddo

You’ll need to begin this recipe a day ahead.

Serves 10

Cooking Time Prep time 30 mins, cook 35 mins (plus freezing)



9   egg yolks
250 gm   caster sugar
Scraped seeds   of 1 vanilla bean or 1 tsp vanilla paste
20 ml   Frangelico
200 gm   dark chocolate (55% cocoa solids), melted, plus extra to serve
2 tbsp   Dutch-process cocoa, sieved
600 ml   thickened cream
250 gm   crème fraîche
150 gm   roasted hazelnuts, skins removed, coarsely chopped
To serve:   maraschino cherries (optional)


1 Line a 2 litre-capacity mould with plastic wrap or baking paper.
2 Whisk yolks, sugar, vanilla seeds and Frangelico in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water until mixture is tripled in volume, thick and pale and holds a ribbon (4-5 minutes).
3 Transfer semifreddo mixture to an electric mixer and whisk until cool (2-3 minutes). Add chocolate and cocoa and mix to combine.
4 Meanwhile, whisk cream and crème fraîche in a bowl until soft peaks form.
5 Fold one-third into egg mixture to loosen mixture, then fold through remaining cream and hazelnuts.
6 Spoon into container, cover, freeze until firm (6 hours-overnight). Makes about 2 litres.
7 Serves scoops of Baci semifreddo drizzled with extra melted chocolate and topped with a maraschino cherry, if you like.

This recipe is from the January 2010 issue of Australian Gourmet Traveller.

RECIPE Lisa Featherby PHOTOGRAPHY Jason Loucas STYLING Lisa Featherby


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