Silky Semifreddo with Chocolate Crumbs Recipe

Dreamy Raspberry & Passion Fruit Semifreddo Recipe

Sun-drenched summer days call for a decadent raspberry & passion fruit semifreddo with chocolate crumbs that promises pure indulgence.

This Italian-inspired frozen dessert combines vibrant tropical flavors with rich chocolate undertones.

Creamy and luxurious, it melts softly on the tongue, delivering a symphony of sweet and tangy notes.

The delicate semifreddo balances silky passion fruit bright acidity with the deep, intense crunch of chocolate crumbs.

Each spoonful transports you to a Mediterranean coastal retreat, where desserts are an art form.

Fresh raspberries scattered throughout add bursts of color and natural sweetness.

Bold yet elegant, this dessert stands ready to become your new summer obsession.

Dive into this refreshing culinary adventure and savor every exquisite bite.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 6-7 hour

Calories: 285 kcal

Servings: 9

Ingredients for Raspberry & Passion Fruit Semifreddo

For Chocolate Base:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and helps create a crisp, crumbly texture for the chocolate base.
  • Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich, deep chocolate flavor and contributes to the dark, intense color of the crumbs.
  • Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a crisp texture when baked.
  • Cornstarch: Ensures a delicate, tender crumb and helps absorb moisture.
  • Unsalted Butter: Binds ingredients together and adds a luxurious, rich mouthfeel.
For Fruit Bases:
  • Passion Fruit Pulp: Brings vibrant, tropical tanginess and distinctive exotic flavor to the semifreddo.
  • Fresh Raspberries: Offers bright, sweet-tart flavor and beautiful natural color to the dessert.
  • Granulated Sugar: Balances fruit's acidity and helps create smooth, glossy fruit bases.
  • Corn Syrup: Prevents crystallization and provides silky, smooth consistency to fruit mixtures.
  • Amoretti Flavor: Enhances and intensifies the natural fruit flavors with concentrated essence.
For Creamy Mixture:
  • Whole Eggs, Egg Yolks: Creates a rich, silky custard base that provides structure and luxurious texture.
  • Heavy Cream: Adds lightness, volume, and creates the signature smooth, semi-frozen texture of semifreddo.
  • Salt: Subtly enhances and balances the overall sweetness of the dessert.

Kitchen Items for Raspberry & Passion Fruit Semifreddo

  • Loaf Pan: Essential for shaping and freezing the semifreddo with perfect structure.
  • Parchment Paper: Crucial for easy removal and clean lining of the pan.
  • Double Boiler: Key for gently heating eggs without direct flame contact.
  • Mixing Bowls: Necessary for preparing different components of the dessert.
  • Fine Mesh Sieve: Important for straining raspberry mixture and ensuring smooth texture.
  • Thermometer: Helps achieve precise egg mixture temperature.
  • Whisk: Perfect for beating eggs and mixing ingredients smoothly.
  • Spatula: Useful for folding and mixing delicate ingredients.
  • Small Saucepan: Needed for cooking fruit bases and syrups.
  • Cooling Rack: Helps cool chocolate crumbs evenly.
  • Baking Sheet: Required for preparing chocolate crumbs.

Steps to Prepare the Semifreddo with Chocolate Crumbs

Passion Paradise Semifreddo

  • Chocolate Crumb Foundation

Create a crispy base by mixing flour, cocoa, sugar, and butter. Spread thinly on a baking sheet and bake until perfectly crunchy. Let cool completely, creating a delightful texture foundation for your dessert.

  • Fruit Flavor Preparation

Gently simmer passion fruit and raspberries separately with sugar, creating intense, concentrated fruit essences. Strain and cool these vibrant liquid foundations that will transform into creamy layers.

  • Silky Egg Transformation

Whisk eggs and sugar over gentle heat, creating a luxurious, smooth mixture that becomes the magical binding element. Beat until pale and fluffy, developing a cloud-like texture that will give your semifreddo its signature lightness.

  • Cream Integration

Whip fresh cream to soft, pillowy peaks. Carefully fold cream into fruit bases, creating two distinct, luscious mixtures that will create beautiful layered magic in your dessert.

  • Freezing Adventure

Layer raspberry mixture into a parchment-lined pan, sprinkle with chocolate crumbs. Freeze briefly, then add passion fruit layer. Top with remaining crumbs. Freeze for several hours until firm and dreamy.

  • Serving Celebration

Remove from freezer, slice elegantly, and enjoy a dessert that tells a story of tropical flavors and creamy indulgence.

Tips for Semifreddo Success

  • Swap raspberries and passion fruit with seasonal alternatives like strawberries, blueberries, or mango for a personalized dessert experience.
  • Prepare the semifreddo up to 3 days in advance, storing it tightly wrapped in the freezer for convenient entertaining and stress-free dessert planning.
  • Replace heavy cream with coconut cream for a luscious vegan version that maintains the dessert's rich, creamy texture.
  • Experiment with different cocoa percentages or mix in toasted nuts like almonds or pistachios to add extra crunch and depth to the chocolate base.
  • Top the semifreddo with fresh berries, edible flowers, or a drizzle of melted dark chocolate just before serving to elevate the visual appeal and flavor complexity.

Serve the Raspberry Passion Fruit Semifreddo Right

  • Elegant Dessert Plating: Create a stunning presentation by slicing the semifreddo into clean, precise wedges. Arrange each slice on a chilled white plate, drizzling extra passion fruit sauce around the edges for a professional touch.
  • Fruity Garnish Paradise: Top each serving with fresh raspberries and passion fruit seeds. Scatter some additional chocolate crumbs for texture, creating a colorful and appetizing dessert that looks as amazing as it tastes.
  • Complementary Drink Pairing: Serve alongside a crisp prosecco or a light champagne to enhance the semifreddo's delicate fruit flavors. The bubbly drink will cut through the creamy texture and add a sophisticated element to the dessert experience.
  • Temperature Serving Tips: Remove the semifreddo from the freezer 5-10 minutes before serving to allow it to soften slightly. This will help develop the rich, smooth texture and make each bite more enjoyable and easy to slice.

How to Keep the Semifreddo Fresh

  • Chilling Strategy: Prepare the semifreddo up to 3 days before your event, keeping it tightly wrapped in the freezer to maintain optimal texture and flavor intensity.
  • Slice and Serve Technique: Remove the semifreddo from the freezer 5-10 minutes before serving to allow slight softening, which enhances the creamy consistency and makes cutting easier.
  • Portion Perfect: Cut clean slices using a knife dipped in hot water, wiping between each cut to create elegant, restaurant-style presentation that impresses guests.
  • Smart Leftover Management: Store any remaining semifreddo in an airtight container with a layer of plastic wrap directly on the surface to prevent ice crystals and flavor absorption from other freezer items.
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Silky Semifreddo with Chocolate Crumbs Recipe

Silky Semifreddo with Chocolate Crumbs Recipe


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4.8 from 30 reviews

  • Total Time: 6-7 hour
  • Yield: 9 1x

Description

Delightful raspberry & passion fruit semifreddo creates a luxurious Italian-style dessert that balances tangy and sweet flavors. Chocolate crumbs add rich texture, inviting you to savor each refreshing spoonful of this elegant frozen treat.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 large egg yolks, room temperature
  • 1.25 cups (296 ml) heavy whipping cream
  • 0.5 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
  • 0.25 tsp fine sea salt
  • 1 cup (150 g) fresh raspberries, thawed if frozen
  • 0.25 cup (59 ml) strained passion fruit pulp
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) corn syrup for raspberries
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) corn syrup for passion fruit
  • 1 tbsp (20 g) granulated sugar for raspberries
  • 1 tbsp (20 g) granulated sugar for passion fruit
  • 1 tsp Amoretti Natural Raspberry Artisan Flavor
  • 1 tsp Amoretti Natural Passion Fruit Artisan Flavor
  • 0.33 cup (79 ml) all-purpose flour
  • 0.33 cup (79 ml) dark or Dutch-processed cocoa powder, sifted
  • 0.25 cup (50 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) cornstarch
  • 0.25 tsp fine sea salt
  • 3 tbsps (45 ml) unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

  1. Chocolate Crumb Creation: Blend dry ingredients with melted butter to form a coarse, sandy mixture, then spread evenly on a baking sheet and bake at 300°F until crisp and dark, creating a crunchy foundational element.
  2. Fruit Reduction Preparation: Simultaneously simmer passion fruit pulp and raspberries with sugar separately, reducing each to a concentrated, vibrant sauce that captures the intense tropical and berry essences.
  3. Egg Base Development: Construct a silky custard foundation using a double boiler technique, whisking eggs and sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and reaches a safe 160°F temperature.
  4. Flavor Integration: Gracefully fold the warm egg base into each fruit reduction, ensuring distinct flavor profiles are maintained while creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.
  5. Cream Incorporation: Whip cream to soft, billowy peaks, then gently fold into each fruit mixture, preserving the delicate airiness and creating a luxurious, smooth consistency.
  6. Layered Assembly: Pour raspberry mixture into a parchment-lined loaf pan, sprinkle with chocolate crumbs, freeze briefly, then add passion fruit layer and top with remaining crumbs, allowing the semifreddo to set completely in the freezer.

Notes

  • Master Temperature Control: Use a candy thermometer to precisely heat egg mixture to 160°F, ensuring food safety while creating a smooth, silky base without scrambling eggs.
  • Fold with Finesse: Incorporate whipped cream gently using a figure-eight motion to preserve air bubbles, maintaining the semifreddo’s light, luxurious texture.
  • Chill for Perfection: Allow semifreddo to freeze for at least 6 hours or overnight, enabling flavors to meld and texture to set into a dreamy, creamy consistency.
  • Serving Secrets: Remove semifreddo from freezer 10-15 minutes before serving to soften slightly, making slicing easier and enhancing the dessert’s smooth, velvety mouthfeel.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 9
  • Calories: 285
  • Sugar: 24 g
  • Sodium: 90 mg
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 12 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
Mia Reynolds

Mia Reynolds

Food Writer & Home Cooking Specialist

Expertise

Easy Home Baking, Recipe Writing and Storytelling, Local and Seasonal Ingredients, Baking for Beginners

Education

New England Culinary Institute (NECI), Montpelier, Vermont

  • Certificate: Baking and Pastry Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Hands-on baking skills, pastry basics, and creating delicious, approachable baked goods.

Community College of Vermont, Winooski, Vermont

  • Degree: Certificate in Food and Beverage Management
  • Focus: Essential knowledge of recipe development, ingredient sourcing, and food business basics.

Mia Reynolds fell in love with baking as a teenager experimenting in her family kitchen. Her passion took her to New England Culinary Institute, where she learned practical pastry techniques, and later to Community College of Vermont to deepen her understanding of food management.

Mia combines clear, simple baking instructions with heartwarming stories, making home baking approachable for everyone.

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