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Zuppa Inglese

Zuppa Inglese

Zuppa Inglese is a classic Italian layered dessert featuring soft savoiardi biscuits soaked in Alchermes liqueur and layered with rich vanilla and chocolate custards. This luscious treat balances creamy textures and vibrant flavors, making it a festive and elegant finale to any meal.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Chilling Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 320
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 egg yolks
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 4 tbsp all-purpose flour or cornstarch
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 vanilla bean or 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp cocoa powder or 2 oz dark chocolate
  • 18 savoiardi or sponge cake slices
  • 1 cup Alchermes or substitute: Amaretto + juice
  • Water for diluting liqueur

Method
 

  1. Whisk egg yolks, sugar, and flour. Heat milk with vanilla. Gradually pour hot milk into egg mixture, whisking constantly. Cook gently until thickened. Cool completely.
  2. Take one-third of custard and stir in cocoa powder or melted chocolate until smooth.
  3. Dilute Alchermes with water. Quickly dip savoiardi 1–2 seconds per side; avoid sogginess.
  4. In a glass bowl, layer soaked savoiardi, vanilla custard, soaked savoiardi again, then chocolate custard. Repeat, finishing with vanilla custard.
  5. Cover and refrigerate 2–3 hours to meld flavors and soften biscuits. Serve chilled.

Notes

Use glass bowls or cups to showcase the beautiful layers. Chill well to achieve the ideal texture and flavor blend. Garnish with fresh berries, cocoa powder, or whipped cream for elegance. Serve with espresso or sweet liqueur to complement richness. Avoid soaking savoiardi too long to keep layers intact.