Fresh and Creamy Coffee Semifreddo Dessert

This coffee semifreddo recipe is perfect for when you need a refreshing dessert on a hot day! It is a partially frozen dessert that is creamy and has the taste of coffee in it along with some chocolate on top.

To make the semifreddo, you first heat the coffee with sugar on the stove before whipping egg yolks and adding them to the hot coffee. Then, cream gets whipped in a bowl before being combined with mascarpone cheese and the egg yolk mixture. Once combined, it gets divided between glasses before being placed in the freezer. Served with melted chocolate and chocolate chips on top, it is a wonderful dessert!

What is Coffee Semifreddo?

Coffee semifreddo is a semi-frozen dessert containing coffee, sugar, mascarpone cheese, whipped cream, and egg yolks. It’s similar to ice cream in its ingredients but the process of making it is quite different and it tends to have a silkier, creamier texture. The beauty of semifreddo desserts is that you can make them ahead of when you plan to serve them, making them an excellent dessert to have for dinner guests.

Pro Tips

• When you add the hot coffee to the yolks, add it gradually as you whisk to make sure that the egg yolks don’t curdle.
• When you whip the cream, whip until it has stiff peaks but be careful not to overmix it.
• If you can’t find moka coffee, you can use whatever other coffee you have on hand.
• Serve the semifreddo in clear glasses so it is visible to your guests.
• If preferred, you can replace the dark chocolate with milk chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate for more sweetness.

What to Serve with Coffee Semifreddo?

This dessert doesn’t need anything served with it other than a hot cup of coffee or tea.

What Does Semifreddo Mean?

Semifreddo literally translates to “half cold” or “half frozen.” This is because it is frozen for only a few hours, just until it firms up part way but isn’t completely frozen.

What is Moka Coffee?

Moka is coffee that is brewed in a Moka pot, which is a metal pot that brews dark roast coffee using high pressure. If you don’t have a Moka pot, you can feel free to use other methods to brew your coffee instead.

Can I Replace the Mascarpone With Cream Cheese?

Yes, cream cheese is a good replacement for mascarpone cheese. However, it may set up the semifreddo into a more firm consistency as cream cheese tends to be slightly denser than mascarpone cheese.

How to Store Coffee Semifreddo

This coffee semifreddo should be stored in the freezer until you are ready to serve it. Ideally, you will only store it for around 4 hours before you serve it for the proper texture.

How to Make Coffee Semifreddo

Step 1: In a bowl, mix the sugar with the coffee until combined. Place the coffee mixture into a small pot and heat it to 249.8 F/121 C.

Step 2: In a bowl, whip the egg yolks before slowly mixing them into the hot coffee mixture.

Step 3: Whip the cream in a separate bowl until stiff peaks are formed.

Step 4: Beat the mascarpone cheese into the coffee mixture.

Step 5: Fold in the whipped cream.

Step 6: Divide the mixture between 4 glasses and place them in the freezer for at least 4 hours.

Step 7: Top each glass with melted chocolate and dark chocolate chips.

Step 8: Serve immediately!