Almond, Chocolate, and Pistachio Spumoni

A luxurious Italian-style frozen dessert featuring three distinct layers of creamy custard: almond-studded vanilla, pistachio-flecked green, and rich chocolate. This homemade spumoni combines the classic flavors into an elegant frozen treat.

8 servings
10 hr 25 min

Ingredients

  • 6 cups whole milk
  • 8 large egg yolks
  • cups sugar
  • ½ cup cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon pure almond extract
  • 2 drops green food coloring
  • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • cup whole blanched almonds
  • ½ cup unsalted shelled pistachios
  • 1 piece ice cream maker

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Bring milk to a simmer in a 4-quart heavy saucepan over medium heat. Whisk together yolks, sugar, cornstarch, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Whisk in milk, then transfer mixture to saucepan.

    10 min

  2. 2.

    Bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking constantly, then boil, whisking constantly, 2 minutes. Immediately strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl. Divide custard among 3 bowls. To make almond base, whisk 1/2 teaspoon vanilla into 1 bowl; for pistachio base, whisk almond extract and food coloring into another bowl; for chocolate base, whisk cocoa and remaining 1/2 teaspoon vanilla into third bowl.

    15 min

  3. 3.

    Cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally. Chill custards, surfaces covered with parchment paper (to prevent a skin from forming), until cold, at least 6 hours.

    360 min

  4. 4.

    Freeze each custard in ice cream maker, 1 batch at a time (white, then green, then brown). Fold almonds into vanilla custard, then fold pistachios into green custard. Transfer to a shallow 2-quart container or 3 smaller containers and put in freezer to firm up, about 4 hours.

    240 min

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