How to Make ‘Tartufo,’ an Italian Layered Ice Cream Dessert
Updated: Jun. 03, 2022
This dome-shaped dessert hails from Calabria, in Southern Italy. It's made with ice cream, filled with cookies and enrobed in rich dark chocolate.
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Served all over Italy, this shareable ice cream surprise is easy to make. You’ll need two flavors of ice cream, some toppings and a small glass bowl. Having eaten this Italian dessert many times as a child, I was excited to make tartufo at home so I could choose the flavor profile.
Don’t miss our full list of indulgent desserts from around the world.
What Does Tartufo Mean in Italian?
Tartufo is the Italian word for “truffle.” The expensive mushroom foraged in the Italian countryside might come to mind, but this word also refers to a delicious ice cream confection made with layers of ice cream, chocolate, cherries and cookie crumbs with a chocolate shell finish.
Cracking into the hard chocolate shell is the best part as it uncovers the riches inside!
How to Make Tartufo
This recipe makes one tartufo that serves two people.
Ingredients
- 1 cup chocolate ice cream, softened
- 5 Amarena cherries
- 1 tablespoon jarred hot fudge
- 12 amaretti cookies, crushed
- 1 cup vanilla ice cream, softened
Topping:
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips
- 3 tablespoons virgin coconut oil
- 1/4 crushed hazelnuts
Editor’s Tip: You can easily find imported Amarena cherries on Amazon.
Directions
Step 1: Press ice cream into a bowl
Place a 5-inch glass bowl on the counter and line with a large piece of cling wrap. You want at least 3 inches of overhang.
Scoop the chocolate ice cream into the bowl and spread so the top is flat.
Editor’s Tip: Move the ice cream from the freezer to the refrigerator to soften about 20 minutes before using.
Step 2: Add cherries, fudge and cookies
Place the cherries on top and press into the chocolate ice cream.
Spoon the fudge on top, then add 2 tablespoons of the crushed cookies. Spread and flatten up to the sides of the bowl.
Step 3: Add another layer of ice cream
Add the vanilla ice cream and spread in an even layer. Press the rest of the cookie crumbs into the vanilla ice cream to create a cookie base.
Fold the cling wrap up over the top of the tartufo and place the bowl in the freezer overnight.
Step 4: Make the topping
The next day, make the chocolate shell topping. Melt the chocolate with coconut oil, then mix to combine.
Step 5: Plate the tartufo
Remove the bowl from the freezer and carefully remove the molded ice cream from the bowl. First, unwrap the cling wrap and place a small piece of parchment on top of the bowl.
Flip the molded ice cream onto a wire rack on top of a baking sheet. You may need a butter knife to help the ice cream release.
Carefully remove the cling wrap and pour the chocolate sauce all over the tartufo. It will harden within a minute so quickly cover with crushed nuts and place it back in the freezer until ready to eat!
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Originally Published: June 03, 2022
