Hello People, Austin Carter here from Beyond the Bayou Blog There are two things that I just love. One of them is coffee–which I can drink all day long, and the other is pecan pralines. Combine them together and you have the perfect pick-me-up for breakfast. Combine them as a cool treat with chocolate-covered espresso beans, well, now that is just sinful! Semifreddo has been on my “to-do” list and I finally have gotten around the making one. Super quick to make and the perfect cool-down dessert for hot summer days or really any day.
Semifreddo is a semi-frozen dessert. The main ingredients are eggs, sugar, and cream. The texture is light and airy and there are many ways you can achieve this. Some recipes I read used whipped egg whites to make a meringue that was then folded into the yolks, which is good if you do not want to waste the whites. The particular recipe I used did not incorporate the egg whites but instead used heavy cream that was whipped to soft peaks that were then folded into the cooked yolks. For the yolks, they were cooked over a double boiler with sugar and super strong coffee–I used Community Coffee with Chicory. After they reached the
Some recipes I read used whipped egg whites to make a meringue that was then folded into the yolks, which is good if you do not want to waste the whites. The particular recipe I used did not incorporate the egg whites but instead used heavy cream that was whipped to soft peaks that were then folded into the cooked yolks. For the yolks, they were cooked over a double boiler with sugar and super strong coffee–I used Community Coffee with Chicory. After they reached the
After they reach the internal temperature of 170 degrees, they are then whipped until cool, thick, and doubled in volume.
Coffee Semifreddo Recipe
Equipment
- Medium-sized Pot
- Candy thermometer
- Large Bowl
- Electric or stand mixer
- Glass bowl
- Large saucepan
- 9x5x3-inch metal loaf pan
- Plastic Wrap
- Sheet pan
- Wax paper
- Crumbled pecan pralines (for layering)
- Chocolate-covered espresso beans (crushed)
Ingredients
- Pecan Pralines:
- 1 cup cane sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup evaporated milk
- a pinch of kosher salt
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
- a candy thermometer
- Coffee Semifreddo:
- 1 3/4 cups heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup cane sugar
- 8 large egg yolks
- 1/2 cup strong brewed coffee cooled
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- crumbled pecan pralines
- 1 cup chocolate-covered espresso beans crushed into pieces
Instructions
- Prepare the Pecan Pralines: Line a sheet pan with wax paper. Cook cream, cane sugar, brown sugar, and salt in a pot until it reaches 240°F. Stir in butter, vanilla, and pecans. Spoon onto the prepared pan to form 6-8 pralines.
- Prepare the Semifreddo Pan: Line a 9x5x3-inch loaf pan with plastic wrap, leaving an overhang. Sprinkle the bottom with crumbled pecan pralines and chocolate-covered espresso beans.
- Make the Custard: Mix egg yolks, cooled coffee, cane sugar, and salt in a glass bowl. Place over simmering water and whisk until thickened and reaches 170°F. Beat until cool and doubled in volume.
- Whip the Cream: Beat heavy cream with powdered sugar until soft peaks form. Refrigerate.
- Combine and Layer: Fold the whipped cream into the cooled custard mixture. Layer the mixture in the loaf pan, alternating with crumbled pralines and crushed espresso beans. Tap to remove air pockets.
- Freeze: Fold the plastic wrap overhang over the top to cover. Freeze for at least 8 hours or overnight.
Nutrition
Tips that Are Worth Your Attention!
- Precise Candy Temperature: For the pecan pralines, use a reliable candy thermometer. Accuracy is key here—cooking the mixture to exactly 240°F ensures the right consistency and texture. Too low, and the pralines may not set; too high, and they can become too hard.
- Cooling the Pralines: Once you spoon the pecan praline mixture onto the wax paper, let it cool completely before handling. This will prevent them from becoming too soft or sticky.
- Egg Yolks for Custard: When preparing the custard, constantly whisk the egg yolks mixture over simmering water to prevent them from scrambling. It’s essential to keep the bowl’s bottom from touching the water to ensure even cooking.
- Chilling the Custard: After beating the custard mixture, ensure it cools completely before folding in the whipped cream. This helps maintain the light, airy texture of the semifreddo.
- Consistent Whipping Cream: Beat the cream until just reaching soft peaks. Overwhipping can make it too stiff and affect the smooth texture of the semifreddo.
- Layering Technique: When layering the semifreddo mixture, alternate between the custard and toppings gently. This ensures a balanced distribution of flavor and texture throughout.
- Freezing Tips: For an even freeze, place the semifreddo in the coldest part of your freezer. Ensure it is completely covered with plastic wrap to avoid freezer burn and maintain a creamy texture.
- Serving Suggestions: Let the semifreddo sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving to soften slightly. This makes it easier to slice and enhances the creamy texture.
These tips will help you achieve a semifreddo with a perfect texture and balanced flavors. Enjoy your delicious creation!
What to Serve with Coffee Semifreddo?
