4.4 from 52 votes
Lemon Semifreddo Recipe
Lemon Semifreddo is a frozen Italian dessert featuring a light, airy lemon custard folded into whipped cream and topped with toasted sliced almonds. The recipe creates a lemon curd from egg yolks, sugar, lemon juice, zest, and salt, gently cooked and cooled before folding into whipped cream. The semifreddo is chilled to set, resulting in a smooth, refreshing dessert with citrus brightness and crunchy almond texture.
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
8 hrs 25 mins
Servings:
10
servings
Calories:
282 kcal
Course:
Dessert
Ingredients
- 7 egg yolk
- ½ cup lemon juice fresh
- 2 Tbsp lemon zest fresh
- 1 ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ¾ cup heavy cream chilled or pre-made whipped cream
- ¾ cup almond sliced; toasted
Instructions
- Prepare a 9x5-inch loaf pan by lining the bottom with parchment paper and adding a strip of parchment paper around the edges. Set it aside.
- In a small saucepan, combine the egg yolks, sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, and salt. Heat over medium-low heat, whisking constantly until the mixture thickens. If you have a candy thermometer, insert it into the mixture and remove it from the heat when it reaches 170 degrees F or 77 degrees C (this should take about 4 minutes).
- Remove the lemon curd from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Then strain the lemon curd through a fine mesh sieve and put it into the bowl of an electric mixer. Now, beat the curd until it’s cool and becomes very fluffy.
- In a separate bowl, use an electric mixer or whisk to whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
- Use a rubber spatula to gently fold the cooled lemon curd into the whipped cream.
- Pour the lemon cream into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
- Sprinkle the top with sliced almonds, pressing them gently onto the surface. This will create the semifreddo "crust."
- Wrap the loaf pan completely with plastic wrap and freeze the semifreddo for at least 8 hours, or overnight if possible.
- Once frozen, remove it from the freezer and take off the plastic wrap. Then run a sharp knife around the edges of the loaf pan between the parchment paper and the pan. Now, flip the dessert onto a serving tray or plate.
- Slice and serve while cold!
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Serving
120g
Calories
282kcal
(14%)
Carbohydrates
28g
(9%)
Protein
3g
(6%)
Fat
18g
(28%)
Saturated Fat
11g
(55%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
(6%)
Monounsaturated Fat
5g
(25%)
Cholesterol
183mg
(61%)
Sodium
76mg
(3%)
Potassium
68mg
(1%)
Fiber
0.2g
(1%)
Sugar
27g
(54%)
Vitamin A
795IU
(16%)
Vitamin C
7mg
(8%)
Calcium
46mg
(5%)
Iron
0.4mg
(2%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 10 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 282
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 120g | |
| Calories | 282kcal | 14% |
| Carbohydrates | 28g | 9% |
| Protein | 3g | 6% |
| Fat | 18g | 28% |
| Saturated Fat | 11g | 55% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Cholesterol | 183mg | 61% |
| Sodium | 76mg | 3% |
| Potassium | 68mg | 1% |
| Fiber | 0.2g | 1% |
| Sugar | 27g | 54% |
| Vitamin A | 795IU | 16% |
| Vitamin C | 7mg | 8% |
| Calcium | 46mg | 5% |
| Iron | 0.4mg | 2% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.