It's time for our second Blue Ribbon Challenge!!
Are you excited? Did you like the theme?
I sure did! I have to admit, it was my first time making semifreddo. Why, oh why, haven't I made this dessert before? No idea. It's no-bake, so versatile and a real treat in this hot weather. I went with my current theme, Black Forest, which is basically a cherry and chocolate combo. Can't go wrong here, if you ask me. I made my base as you would for a classic semifreddo. Eggs, sugar and cream. I added a layer of my favorite cocoa and Biscoff cookie crust and freshly chopped cherries. And..... I topped it all with my go-to cherry sauce. HEAVEN!
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Black Forest Semifreddo
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs separated
- 1 c heavy cream
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 ½ oz graham crackers
- ½ teaspoon instant coffee granules
- 3 tablespoon butter melted
- 2 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 6 oz pitted cherries
- ¼ c granulated sugar
- ½ c water
- 2 oz about 10 chopped cherries
Instructions
To make the cherry sauce:
- Place cherries, sugar and water in a medium saucepan.
- Cook until cherries burst and the sauce thickens. Cool completely.
to make the cookie layer:
- In a food processor, crush cookies to crumbs. Add coffee granules, both sugars and cocoa powder.
- Pulse for 30 seconds. Add melted butter. Pulse for about a minute.
- Transfer into a small bowl. Set aside.
assembly:
- Line a loaf pan with a plastic wrap, making sure you have a nice overlap that will make pulling our the ready semifreddo out easy.
- Spray with cooking spray. Set aside.
- Prepare 3 bowls.
- In one bowl, beat egg yolks with sugar and vanilla until pale.
- In a second bowl, beat cream until soft peaks form.
- In a third bowl, beat egg whites with salt until stiff peaks form.
- Add cream mixture to egg yolk mixture and gently fold in just a couple of times.
- Now, add the egg whites mixture and fold in until everything is uniform.
- Do not overmix, or you will beat the whole air out.
- Pour half of the semifreddo mixture into your lined pan.
- Sprinkle half of the cookie crumbs mixture over it. Top with chopped cherries.
- Pour the rest of your semifreddo mixture over the cherries layer. Smooth it out.
- Sprinkle the rest of your cookie crust over the top. Press gently.
- Cover with a plastic wrap and place in the fridge for at least 8 hours or overnight.
- Slice and serve with cherry sauce.
Notes
Nutrition
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I will be making this dessert again for sure! My Hubby already has a suggestion for the next flavors combo!
Now, onto the challenge! Please link up below. This time, I chose a different linky tool for a couple of reasons. One, to encourage everyone to actually go and visit the blogs participating and because when the other linky tool expired, I lost all the links... Lesson learned. To vote, please leave the name of your favorite entry in the comments below. The voting is open till midnight on Friday. The results will be announced on Saturday, on my Weekend Wrap-Up post.
Ok! Let's start the challenge! Show me whatcha got! 🙂
Dina says
wow that looks divine!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Thanks, Dina!
Stephanie says
Very impressive - they all look fantastic! I've never tried a semifreddo, but I'm feeling very inspired by all the wonderful recipes. I love the flavor combinations and the different textures in each recipe. Great challenge!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Thank you, Stephanie!
Cathy says
How yummy is this! The Biscoff crust has me sold!!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Thanks, Cathy! It's my new obsession 🙂
All That I'm Eating says
Love your new site! Semifreddo is one of my favourites but have never made it myself! I will enjoy having a look through what turns up.
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
I hope you will give it a go! Thank you for stopping by my new site!
Ramona says
Darn! I think I missed the boat on this one.... I would have joined otherwise. Everyone's semifreddo looks fabulous!! I have never heard of a semifreddo before anyway... does my graham cracker cherry cheesecake pie work? I don't think so... Oh well... will keep a look out for the next blue ribbon challenge. 🙂 Good luck to everyone! 🙂
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Maybe next time! Thanks, Ramona!
Jen says
So many great choices I totally cop out on voting! That crust has me absolutely swooning - I love the idea of adding a little coffee and cocoa to it!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Hi Jen! The crust is so good you will want to eat it with a spoon 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by my new site! xoxo
Terry says
Yummm!!! Pinning.
Love the new website!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Thanks, Terry!
Baking Serendipity says
I am definitely into no-bake these days too, and this looks fantastic!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Hi Sarah! Thank you so much for stopping by! Your salad sounds fabulous! xoxo
Words Of Deliciousness says
Wow, your Black Forest Semifreddo looks fantastic! I finally have my recipe posted and linked up.
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Thank you so much for participating! It looks divine!
Liz says
Beautifully done, Anna! What a great challenge....and your chocolate cherry theme gets my approval. YUM!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Thanks so much, Lizzy! I appreciate you stopping by!
Zoe says
Hi Anna, Your new site looks very impressive! Due to the wintery weather, I've not been making any ice cream or semifreddo lately and sorry that I can't make anything for your event.
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Please, do not feel bad, Zoe! I actually envy you the cool weather 🙂 I am craving a freshly baked pastry and a cup of hot chocolate... 🙂 Maybe next time! xoxo
Anne says
I love your black forest version of this semifreddo Anna! I love the little extra texture of the cookies and the cherry sauce looks just heavenly! Again, your photos just blow me away! I really had fun playing and I can't wait to see what you will challenge us with next month! : )
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
You guys brought your best game forward this time! I love all the entries! Thank you so much for participating, sweet Anne! Your ladyfinger semifreddo sounds heavenly! xoxo
Ann P. says
Beautiful! I have a book on semifreddos, but it's in french 🙁
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Awww, that's too bad... Maybe next time? Thanks, Ann!
Emily Lynne says
It looks divine!!! Wow! I checked out the (currently only two) other entires and they both look delish. My vote is with Anne's Lemon Ladyfinger.... reminds me of something I had in Italy and looks soooo yummy!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Thank you so much for voting, Emily! xoxo
Minnie says
Anna, that is a TERRIFIC dessert!!! Wow!!
I have never made semifreddo either. I read up on it, and it says anything that is semi frozen, but still soft enough to cut through.
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Yep! It's decadent indeed! Thanks, Minnie 🙂
Cakewhiz says
I heard about this blue ribbon challenge through liz. I think i will join in next month... It sounds like fun!
Your semifreddo loos very yummy!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Looking forward to it! Thank you for stopping by!