Recipe

Coffee Tortoni with Chocolate Sauce

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Photo by gluttonforlife

This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Italian Dessert
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gluttonforlife's Notes: My mother kept a record of her prolific entertaining—who was invited, what was served—on 4x5 file cards in one of those old wooden recipe boxes with the hinged lid. I recently came across...
My mother kept a record of her prolific entertaining—who was invited, what was served—on 4x5 file cards in one of those old wooden recipe boxes with the hinged lid. I recently came across an Italian-themed dinner party menu that included tortoni, a childhood favorite I had completely forgotten. Allegedly invented in 1911 by an Italian restaurateur in Paris, this rich dessert straddles the line between ice cream and soufflé, managing to be both decadent and light.

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Serves 10

For the tortoni::

3 egg whites (at room temp) Ask a question about this ingredient

1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar Ask a question about this ingredient

1 cup sugar, divided Ask a question about this ingredient

2 cups heavy cream Ask a question about this ingredient

1/2 cup cold espresso Ask a question about this ingredient

3 tablespoons Kahlua Ask a question about this ingredient

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract Ask a question about this ingredient

3/4 cups slivered almonds, toasted Ask a question about this ingredient

1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted and chopped very fine Ask a question about this ingredient

In a mixing bowl beat egg whites with cream of tartar to soft peaks. Gradually add 1/2 cup sugar and continuing beating to form stiff peaks. Set aside.
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In another bowl whip 2 cups heavy cream with remaining 1/2 cup sugar and 1/4 cup coffee until stiff peaks form. With motor still running on low speed, add remaining 1/4 cup coffee, Kahlua and toasted almonds. Fold into beaten egg whites.
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Spoon mixture into an 8-inch springform pan, cover with plastic wrap and wrap entire pan with foil to catch any leaks. Freeze overnight.
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Chocolate Sauce:

4 ounces bittersweet chocolate Ask a question about this ingredient

1/3 cup heavy cream Ask a question about this ingredient

2-3 tablespoons agave nectar (or corn syrup) Ask a question about this ingredient

1/2 teaspoon almond extract Ask a question about this ingredient

pinches sea salt Ask a question about this ingredient

Melt the chocolate in a double boiler and stir in remaining ingredients, mixing well and allowing to thicken. (Add sweetener in increments and stop when it's where you like it.) Cool.
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To serve tortoni, unwrap and remove springform ring. Pour chocolate sauce into a squeeze bottle and create decorative swirls on top, or simply drizzle with a spoon. Sprinkle with chopped almonds. Slice into wedges.
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4 Comments on Coffee Tortoni with Chocolate Sauce

Naked Beet added over 2 years ago

What a simple and elegant dessert.

Naked Beet added about 1 year ago

I made it!!! It was absolutely divine. I had to make substitutions for the alcohol (added 1/2 cup more of cream) and used 1/2 cup white sugar and 1/4 whole cane sugar, which was perfectly sweet enough for me and actually lent a great unique flavor, colored it a coffee color, too. I served kahlua as a topping and everyone loved it.Thanks so much for the introduction, it's going to be a great dessert staple in our house as it's so easy to make.

CattyA added over 2 years ago

My mother used to make this too, in single serving cupcake papers, for her ladies luncheons. Yum!