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Home » Most Posts » Zuccotto al Gelato (with Ice Cream)

Zuccotto al Gelato (with Ice Cream)

Last Updated March 4, 2020. Published June 8, 2019 By Rosemary 4 Comments

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Zuccotto al Gelato is a Classic Italian dessert from Florence, made with an Italian Sponge Cake and 2 or 3 of your favourite ice cream flavours. Adding a chocolate drizzle brings it to the next level!

zuccotto al gelato on white plate with a slice on a small white plateZuccotto al Gelato

I have always been intrigued by this Italian Dessert, and since I just made an Italian Sponge Cake for my last blog post I decided it was time to make a Zuccotto. I usually make my Tiramisu Layer Cake but we were (or should I say I was) ready for a change!

There are many ways to make this dessert but since you can’t get much better than Ice Cream in the summer and considering my love for chocolate. I decided to use two different flavours of ice cream, dark chocolate and chocolate chip.

And why not give it a nice chocolate glaze just before serving?!

What is a Zuccotto?

A Zuccotto is an Italian dessert that originated in Florence. It started out as a chilled dessert made with an Italian Sponge Cake,  the Liqueur Alchermes, and a creamy Ricotta filling, although now there are several variations, such as a cream filling and of course an ice cream filling.

zuccotto on a white plate with 2 slices on white plates

How to make a Zuccotto:

  • The first thing to do is prepare your Italian Sponge Cake, let it cool completely, even out the top of the cake, then slice it into two layers.
  • With one of the cake layers make thin slices.
  • Using your round plastic (freezer safe) bowl (7×4 inch / 18x10cm) cut the size you need from the second cake layer (this will cover the top of the Zuccotto.
  • Wrap the inside of the bowl with plastic wrap, use two pieces, (make sure they are long enough to cover the top of the cake when completed) one overlapping the other so that every spot is covered.
  • Place the slices in the bowl touching but not overlapping, you need to cover the whole bowl.
  • Soak the layers with your favourite liquid, I used chocolate milk. You want the layers to be nice and moist.

how to make a zuccotto, slicing the cake, placing in the bowl and covering in liquid

  • Then choose your favourite ice cream flavours, you will be making three layers, so two different types are a good choice.
  • Make three layers of ice cream, evening out each layer before adding the next. Leave about 1/4 inch from the top of the cake free.

zuccotto how to make adding the 3 layers of ice cream

  • Place the second cake layer on top and gently push down so that it fits in the bowl (you may need to cut a bit more off).
  • Then soak this layer with more liquid.
  • Pull the overlapping plastic wrap over the cake and place in the freezer for at least 5 hours or overnight.

zuccotto how to make the top with liquid and wrapped to go in the freezer

  • Remove the Zuccotto from the freezer, pour melted chocolate over the top, let it sit for about 15 minutes, enough time so that it is easy enough to cut through.

zuccotto how to make on a white plate with 2 plates and forks

What liquids can you use to moisten the cake?

As I mentioned I used chocolate milk, but it also depends on your flavours of ice cream. You could make a Tiramisu and use coffee to moisten the cake, or use fruit ice cream and use juice. Italian also like to use a combination of sugar and water, or your favourite liqueur would be an interesting idea.

If you prefer to make your own Ice Cream / Gelato that works also. You could use the same instructions that I used to make this Easy Ice Cream Cake.

How to Store An Ice Cream Cake

Store the cake in an airtight freezer safe container. Glass containers are not a good idea because they will cause the dessert to freeze slower, which could cause freezer burn. The cake should be eaten within seven days.

Zuccotto

zuccotto al gelato on white plate with a slices on a small white plate

What to make with leftover Spongecake

After you cut the cake to make the slices and the top you may have some leftover cake, you could make cake pops, use it as a crumb topping on a sweet bread or coffee cake, make a trifle or do as the Italian does and dunk it in your morning caffe latte.

More Classic Italian Cakes

Italian Pastry Filled Lemon Cake

Easy Italian Apple Cake

Italian Lemon Plum Cake

Ciambella Romagnola Italian Cake

So if you are looking for something Traditionally Italian why not give this Zuccotto al Gelato a try, and let me know how you like it. Enjoy!

a slice of zuccotto on a white plate

a slice of zuccotto on a white plate
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Zuccotto al Gelato (with Ice Cream)

Zuccotto al Gelato is a Classic Italian dessert from Florence, made with an Italian Sponge Cake your favourite ice cream. Adding a chocolate drizzle brings it to the next level!
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Course Dessert
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Chilling Time 5 hours
Total Time 6 hours
Servings 8 servings
Calories 517kcal
Author Rosemary Molloy

Ingredients

  • 1 Italian Sponge Cake
  • 5 cups any flavour Ice Cream (400 grams)
  • 2 1/2 cups any flavour Ice Cream (200 grams)
  • 3 1/2 - 5 ounces dark or milk chocolate (melted) (100-150 grams)

Instructions

  • Make the Italian Sponge Cake or use store bought.
  • Let the cake cool completely, even out the top of the cake, then slice it into two layers. With one layer make thin slices, about 1/4 inch / 1 cm (see video or photos). Using your round plastic (freezer safe) bowl cut the size you need from the second cake layer (this will cover the top of the Zuccotto.
  • Wrap the inside of a plastic freezer safe bowl (I used a 7x4 inch / 18x10 cm size) with plastic wrap, use two pieces, (make sure they are long enough to cover the top of the cake when completed) one overlapping the other so that every spot is covered.
  • Place the slices in the bowl touching but not overlapping, you need to cover the whole bowl. Soak the layers with your favourite liquid, I used chocolate milk. You want the layers to be nice and moist.
  • Then choose your favourite ice cream flavours, you will be making three layers, so two different types are a good choice. Make three layers of ice cream, evening out each layer before adding the next. Leave about 1/4 inch from the top of the cake free.
  • Place the second cake layer on top and gently push down so that it fits in the bowl (you may need to cut a bit more off). Then soak this layer with more liquid. Pull the overlapping plastic wrap over the cake, add an additional layer of wrap if needed and place it in the freezer for at least 5 hours or overnight.
  • Remove the Zuccotto from the freezer, pour the melted chocolate over the top, let sit 15 minutes, enough time so that it is easy enough to cut through. Enjoy!

Notes

Do not let the melted chocolate cool or it will harden up too quickly on the ice cream and you won't be able to spread it to get a drip effect.

Nutrition

Calories: 517kcal | Carbohydrates: 70g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 93mg | Sodium: 305mg | Potassium: 371mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 56g | Vitamin A: 580IU | Vitamin C: 0.7mg | Calcium: 192mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @anitalianinmykitchen or tag #anitalianinmykitchen!

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    Filed Under: Cakes & Cupcakes, Desserts, Ice Cream & Frozen Desserts, Most Posts, Summer

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