Chocolate Ice Log

The chocolate ice log is a delicious and attractive dessert. Here’s how to prepare it:

Ingredients

• 200 g dark chocolate
• 100 g sugar
• 4 eggs
• 300 ml whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 2 tablespoons chocolate or coffee liqueur (optional)
• Cocoa powder for decoration

Preparation

1. Start by melting the chocolate in a double boiler together with the milk. Once the chocolate is completely melted, remove it from the heat and let it cool.
2. Separate the egg yolks from the whites. Beat the yolks with the sugar until you obtain a frothy and pale mixture.
3. Add the melted chocolate to the beaten yolks and mix gently.
4. In another bowl, whip the egg whites to stiff peaks.
5. Whip the cream as well, but be careful not to overwhip it; it should remain soft.
6. Fold the whipped egg whites into the chocolate and yolk mixture, stirring gently from top to bottom to avoid deflating the mixture.
7. Add the whipped cream to the mixture, combining with the same care.
8. If desired, you can flavor your log with two tablespoons of chocolate or coffee liqueur, incorporating it gently into the batter.
9. Pour the mixture into a loaf pan lined with plastic wrap. This makes it easier to remove the ice cream once it has solidified.
10. Place in the freezer for at least 4 hours, or until the log has completely solidified.
11. Before serving, turn the log out onto a serving plate and remove it from the pan. Dust the surface with cocoa powder for a finishing touch.

Trivia

The ice log, also known as semifreddo, is a very versatile dessert that you can customize by adding dried fruit, chocolate chips, or crushed cookies inside. During the holidays, especially at Christmas, it is traditional to serve a Christmas log, or “Bûche de Noël” in French, which resembles the shape of a piece of wood burning in the fireplace and symbolizes warmth and light during the winter solstice.