Semifreddo. . .oh how I wish I had realized how amazing you were earlier! Really, it is so easy! And it is the subject of the this month’s Blue Ribbon Challenge hosted by Anna, at Crunchy, Creamy, Sweet. I have seen many recipes for semifreddo but had always thought that they were complicated.
If you have followed my blog for any length of time, you know that I am all about uncomplicated recipes! I sure was fooled! This recipe, while it takes some thought ahead of time, is really quite simple. It is a beautiful dessert that tastes incredible! (Please pardon the “melty” pictures. Our poor kitchen was quite warm yesterday and the dessert instantly started melting as soon as I took it out of the freezer.)
Most semifreddo recipes call for heavy whipping cream as the base. While heavy cream tastes great, healthier substitutions can be made for the base that taste just as wonderful. In this case, I substituted evaporated milk and saved 31 calories and 3.5 grams of fat per tablespoon. That’s a savings of 744 calories and 84 grams of fat in this dessert!
The one down-side of the substitution is that you need to work quickly and make sure that your ingredients and equipment are thoroughly chilled because evaporated milk does not whip up as stiff and will not hold its form for as long as heavy cream. Aside from that, it still yields a rich, creamy goodness! 🙂
The gingersnaps and peaches were a perfect, refreshing combination for the creamy, vanilla base. I added some ginger and nutmeg to give it a bit more spice. Drizzle on some of the salted caramel sauce and you are in semifreddo wonderland!
Ginger Peach Semifreddo with Salted Caramel Sauce
Loosely adapted from: Tyler Florence – Food Network
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
- For the Semifreddo
- 15 gingersnaps
- 1 1/2 C evaporated milk, chilled
- 1/3 C confectioner’s sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 C plain Greek yogurt
- 1 large peach, peeled and cut into small pieces
- For the Sauce
- 1/3 C brown sugar
- 2 tbsp water
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Place whisk attachment of mixer and bowl in freezer for 30 minutes to chill. Spray a baking pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a food processor, pulse gingersnaps until they become fine crumbs. Pour and gently press half of the crumbs into bottom of baking pan.
- Pour evaporated milk into bowl and whisk for 1 minute or until frothy. Add confectioner’s sugar, vanilla extract, ginger, and nutmeg. Beat about two minutes or until mixture becomes stiff.
- Gently fold in yogurt and peaches until combined. Pour half of the mixture on top of gingersnap crumbs. Sprinkle the remaining crumbs on top. Top with remaining whipped mixture. Smooth top. Freeze for 4 to 6 hours or until set.
- Add brown sugar and water to a small saucepan. Dissolve sugar over medium-high heat. Continue heating until caramel turns dark brown and starts to boil, making sure to stir constantly to avoid burning. Add butter and salt. Stir to combine and remove from heat.
- Invert semifreddo onto plate. Slice into six pieces. Drizzle caramel sauce over the top.
- Store leftovers in freezer.
baking.serendipity
Monday 30th of July 2012
I adore the gingerbread and peach combo...definitely wouldn't have thought of that! And anything with salted caramel is perfection :)
minnie@thelady8home
Friday 27th of July 2012
What an innovative recipe! Salted caramel...I must try this. Awesome!!!!
Zachary and Sarah @ HHG
Friday 27th of July 2012
This looks so good! Thanks for following my blog girl. I returned the follow and I can't wait to see what's comin' next! :)
Jennie @themessybakerblog
Friday 27th of July 2012
Um, my mouth is so watering for a slab of this semifreddo. It looks divine.
Amy (Savory Moments)
Friday 27th of July 2012
I don't think I have words to describe how delicious this looks! I wish I had some right now for my dessert!