Peppermint Semifreddo

Are you guys aware that I am obsessed with peppermint? If you had any way of perusing the bookmarks on my web browser, you would see definite evidence of it, thanks to the endless barrage of pepperminty holiday recipes that are cluttering my hard drive. White chocolate peppermint mochas have been my go-to Starbucks drink for the past month, most often accompanied by a peppermint brownie cake pop. After I finish consuming those, I pop peppermint Altoids like there’s no tomorrow. And then I go home and make peppermint semifreddo, because that’s a totally normal thing to do.

Maaaaybe I’m exaggerating a bit, but there’s no doubt that peppermint is my favorite flavor of the Christmas-y season this year. I went through an odd pumpkin streak last year, and a gingerbread one before that, but I think peppermint is going to be a perennial favorite. Which gives me the perfect opportunity to chat with you about peppermint semifreddo and all it’s creamy wonders.

For a quick rundown on the whole “semifreddo” business, it’s very simple. Semifreddo is an Italian dessert consisting of heavy cream, egg yolks, egg whites, sugar, and various flavors. Thanks to the whipped egg whites and whipped cream, this treat–although frozen–maintains a consistently soft and semi-frozen texture.

Semi-frozen…semifreddo…see where I’m going?

While I’ve seen many a semifreddo dealing with chocolate, coffee, and the like, this peppermint version really intrigued me. Plus, it’s a great holiday dessert to share with you guys, since it’s (a) yum yum yummy and (b) it can be made ahead of time, leaving plenty of time to spend with friends and family, rather than hovering over a double boiler while everyone’s opening presents.

Chilly, light, and creamy, peppermint semifreddo is a really delicious way to take a break from the heavier desserts that populate the holiday season. It’s got a subtle, minty kick that wakes up your taste buds and keeps you coming back for more, preferably as a midnight snack silently stolen from the freezer. Whatever sort of holiday desserts you’ve already got planned, this peppermint semifreddo makes for a fantastic and unexpected addition to the Christmas menu.

Because it was the website that sparked my holiday foodie bookmarking spree, again, you can find this recipe at Martha Stewart.