Cantaloupe Grappa Semifreddo

A luxurious Italian-style frozen dessert combining sweet cantaloupe with grappa liqueur and whipped cream. This elegant semifreddo has a silky-smooth texture and delicate melon flavor, perfect for a sophisticated summer dessert.

8 servings
5 hr 19 min

Ingredients

  • 1 pound cantaloupe
  • cup sugar
  • ¼ cup grappa
  • teaspoon salt
  • 5 large egg yolks
  • ¾ cup heavy cream
  • equipment

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Line loaf pan with plastic wrap, leaving an overhang at each end. Purée melon with 1/3 cup sugar, grappa, grenadine (if using), and salt in a blender until smooth. Transfer to large metal bowl and stir in yolks. Set bowl over a saucepan of simmering water and beat with mixer until pale, thick, and tripled in volume and registers 170°F on an instant-read thermometer, about 8 minutes.

    8 min

  2. 2.

    Remove bowl from saucepan and set in a large ice bath. Continue to beat until cold, about 6 minutes.

    6 min

  3. 3.

    Beat cream with remaining 2 tablespoons sugar in other large bowl using cleaned beaters until it just holds soft peaks. Fold whipped cream into cantaloupe mixture gently but thoroughly.

    5 min

  4. 4.

    Pour mixture into pan and freeze, loosely covered with plastic wrap, until firm, at least 5 hours. Uncover top and invert semifreddo onto a plate.

    300 min

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