Spumoni

This is a simplified Spumoni recipe using store-bought ice cream in cherry, chocolate (or vanilla), and pistachio flavors. The combination of these three flavors is unbelievably good! The ice creams are alternately layered in a lined bread loaf pan, creating a vibrant and flavorful dessert. To serve, the Spumoni is sliced into bars, offering a wonderful blend of flavors in every bite. This recipe is a quick, easy dessert option, perfect for impressing guests or for a fun family treat.

What Is Spumoni?

Spumoni is a type of Italian dessert that originates from Naples. It’s traditionally made with different layers of ice cream, usually including flavors like pistachio, cherry, and chocolate or vanilla. Each layer also often contains candied fruits and/or nuts.

After the ice cream is layered and frozen, the dessert is typically sliced and served in slices (rather than scooped).

The BEST Easy Dessert!

My introduction to Spumoni was at a popular local Italian restaurant. It was a love-at-first-taste experience for me! If you’re unfamiliar, spumoni is a layered Italian dessert typically made with three flavors of ice cream, and enhanced with the addition of fruits and nuts between each layer. The traditional flavor combination is cherry, pistachio, and either chocolate or vanilla gelato or ice cream.

I’m convinced that this trio was concocted with my taste buds in mind – I cannot think of any other flavor combination that I’d love more. So, I’m thrilled to share my own take on spumoni today. The beauty of this dessert lies not just in its incredible flavor, but also in its simplicity.

You won’t have to fuss over preparing three different ice cream mixtures. Instead, you’ll pick up cherry, pistachio, and chocolate ice creams from the store and prepare this dessert by alternating scoops of each ice cream into a bread pan. Once the pan is filled, your base is ready. Really, it’s that easy!

How Is Spumoni Different from Ice Cream?

Spumoni differs from regular ice cream primarily in its layered nature, flavor combination, and use of additional ingredients like candied fruits and nuts. While regular ice cream is typically enjoyed in scoops with a single or a couple of flavors, spumoni is a more complex dessert with multiple layers of different flavors and textures. 

Also, while spumoni can be made with either gelato or ice cream, traditionally it’s made with gelato. Gelato differs from ice cream in that it is churned at a slower speed than ice cream, leading to a denser and smoother texture because it incorporates less air. Gelato is also typically served at a slightly warmer temperature than ice cream, which allows for a richer flavor.

A Fun Addition: Oreo Cookie Crust

I like to add a fun twist to my Spumoni recipe with an optional chocolate cookie crust base. While the crust adds a great texture and flavor to the Spumoni, it’s entirely optional. Even without the crust, this dessert remains a delicious treat. If you’re looking to infuse additional texture, flavor, and pizzazz into your dessert, though, consider whipping up a quick Oreo crust! It’s a simple task, requiring just two ingredients: crushed Oreos and melted butter.

Here are a few tips:

• Choose the right Oreos: Regular Oreos® work best for making the crust. Avoid the Double Stuf Oreos or any flavored Oreos (use plain).
• Crush the Oreos fully: It’s important that your cookies are finely crushed to ensure the crust holds together well. Large cookie chunks keep the bars from cutting nicely.
• Firmly press the mixture: When you’re pressing the mixture into your pan, apply firm and even pressure to help the crust stick together. A flat-bottomed cup or measuring cup can be useful to ensure uniform thickness and firmness.
• Chill or bake: While this recipe calls for baking the crust, you can also chill it instead. This will depend on your preference. Baking the crust will give it a toasted flavor and firmer texture, but if you prefer a softer crust, chilling in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes will do the job.
• Cool before filling: If you’ve baked your crust, make sure it’s completely cool before filling to prevent the ice cream from melting. 

How To Make Spumoni (Tips)

• Use high-quality ice cream: A good ice cream significantly enhances the flavor and texture of this dessert. Premium ice cream typically uses better ingredients, which means a richer flavor. It also has a creamier texture due to higher fat content and less air. This means it melts slower– crucial for layered desserts like Spumoni. Using high-quality ice cream creates a more indulgent dessert!
• Firmly press ice cream layers: Press each ice cream scoop firmly into the loaf pan to remove any air pockets. This will give a solid, even slice when serving.
• Use parchment: Lining your loaf pan with parchment paper will make the Spumoni easier to remove from the pan after freezing. It also helps with cleanup.
• Freeze completely before serving: Make sure the Spumoni is fully frozen before serving. This will make it easier to cut into neat slices, and it will hold its shape better when served.
• Slice with a warm knife: Run your knife under hot water and quickly dry before each slice. This will make it easier to cut through the frozen dessert and give you cleaner slices.

Optional: Spumoni Toppings

Consider garnishes: Chopped pistachios or chocolate curls not only make the dessert more visually appealing but also add a fun textural contrast.

If you’re a fan of dessert sauces, this tart cherry sauce recipe is a must-try. It pairs beautifully with Spumoni bars:

Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 cups tart cherries (pitted), thawed if frozen
• 6 tablespoons white sugar
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 teaspoon water

Instructions:

1. Combine the tart cherries and sugar in a medium-sized saucepan. Heat over medium, simmering for 10 minutes while stirring occasionally.
2. In a separate small bowl, whisk cornstarch and water until smooth.
3. Stir this mixture into the sauce, cooking until it begins to thicken, about 2 more minutes.
4. Strain the sauce through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, pressing it through with the back of a wooden spoon.
5. Allow the sauce in the bowl to chill in the fridge until fully cooled.
6. Drizzle this cooled sauce over Spumoni bars for a fun flavor add.

More Ice Cream Treats:

• Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream Cake with a graham cracker crust
• Ice Cream Pie only three ingredients!
• Brownie Oreo Ice Cream Bars with hot fudge sauce
• Mississippi Mud Pie with coffee ice cream
• Ice Cream Sandwich Cake using ice cream sandwiches