Zuppa Inglese is indeed a popular Italian dessert that translates to “English Soup.” It’s a delicious layered dessert made with sponge cake soaked in liqueur, custard, and sometimes chocolate. Here’s a basic recipe to make Zuppa Inglese at home:
Ingredients:
For the Custard:
– 2 cups whole milk
– 4 large egg yolks
– 1/2 cup granulated sugar
– 1/4 cup cornstarch
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Assembly:
– 1-2 packages of sponge cake
– 1 cup strong coffee or espresso
– 1/4 Flavored Syrups: Substitute the alcohol with flavored syrups such as vanilla syrup, almond syrup, or hazelnut syrup. (optional)
– Cocoa powder or grated chocolate, for garnish
Instructions:
1. Prepare the custard: In a saucepan, heat the milk until steaming but not boiling.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch until smooth and pale.
3. Slowly pour the hot milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly to prevent curdling.
4. Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the custard thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
5. Remove the custard from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Let it cool slightly.
Assembly:
1. Line the bottom of a serving dish (a trifle dish or glass bowl works well) with a layer of sponge cake.
2. Mix the coffee or espresso with the rum or liqueur if using, then drizzle some of the mixture over the cake to soak them.
3. Spread half of the custard over the soaked cake.
4. Repeat the layers: another layer of cake, soaked with coffee and liqueur, followed by the remaining custard.
5. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to allow the flavors to meld and the dessert to set.
6. Before serving, dust the top of the Zuppa Inglese with cocoa powder or grated chocolate for garnish.
7. Serve chilled and enjoy!
Feel free to adjust the recipe according to your taste preferences. Some variations include adding layers of fruit (such as berries or sliced bananas) or substituting different types of liqueur for the coffee soak.
