Vietnamese Coffee Semifreddo Parfait

Vietnamese Coffee Semifreddo Parfait

This Vietnamese Coffee Semifreddo Parfait transforms the bold, chicory-rich essence of traditional Vietnamese coffee into a sophisticated, yet approachable, frozen dessert. Layers of intensely flavored coffee semifreddo are paired with a delicate, airy whipped cream and a sprinkle of crunchy toasted coconut. Each elegant parfait glass offers a melt-in-your-mouth experience, blending the comforting familiarity of strong coffee with the refined texture of Italian semifreddo. It's a perfect street-eat inspired treat, elevated for a special occasion or a refreshing end to any meal, providing a vibrant, energizing coffee kick in a cool, elegant package.

Preparation time
30 min
Cooking time
10 min
Total time
10 hrs
Servings
6

Instructions

Prepare the Coffee Semifreddo Base

  1. 1Whisk egg yolks and granulated sugar in a heatproof bowl. Place the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water (bain-marie), ensuring the water does not touch the bottom of the bowl.
  2. 2Whisk continuously for 5-7 minutes until the mixture is pale, thick, and has increased in volume. Remove from heat and continue whisking until cooled.
  3. 3Gently fold in the cooled strong brewed coffee and sweetened condensed milk into the egg yolk mixture until just combined.
  4. 4In a separate cold bowl, whip 8 3/7 fl oz of heavy cream until medium peaks form. Carefully fold the whipped cream into the coffee-egg yolk mixture until smooth and uniform.

Assemble and Freeze the Parfaits

  1. 1Spoon a layer of the coffee semifreddo mixture into the bottom of 6 parfait glasses or small dessert cups. Freeze for 30 minutes to set slightly.
  2. 2While the first layer chills, prepare the whipped cream topping: In a chilled bowl, whip 6 3/4 fl oz cold heavy cream with confectioners' sugar and vanilla extract until soft peaks form.
  3. 3Remove the semifreddo from the freezer. Add a layer of whipped cream on top, then another layer of semifreddo. Repeat layers if desired, ending with semifreddo.
  4. 4Cover parfaits loosely with plastic wrap and freeze for a minimum of 6 hours, or preferably overnight, until firm but still creamy.

Serve

  1. 1Before serving, remove parfaits from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes to soften slightly.
  2. 2Garnish generousy with toasted coconut flakes and serve immediately.

Nutrition Information

Calories
381 kcal
Protein
5 g
Fat
22 g
Carbs
40 g
NutrientPer serving
Calories381 kcal
Protein5 g
Fat22 g
Carbs40 g

Tips

  • Ensure your brewed coffee is very strong and cooled completely before mixing, as this is essential for the rich Vietnamese coffee flavor.
  • Do not skip the bain-marie step for the egg yolks; it pasteurizes them and creates a stable base for the semifreddo, ensuring a smooth, airy texture.

By Chef Michael Ilin