Orange Creamsicle Vegan Semifreddo That Will Impress Every Guest

Semifreddo, which means semi-frozen, is the greatest way to churn up a frozen treat without an ice cream maker. It’s a classically Italian dessert that’s typically rich in dairy and eggs. But this vegan semifreddo is made from a whipped coconut mousse and tastes remarkably like a childhood favorite: orange creamsicle pops.

Orange Crème perfectlyfree bites take center stage in this restaurant-worthy vegan semifreddo. They have a rich coconut crème center wrapped in a vibrant orange sorbet to double down on the creamsicle experience.

It’s a delicious grown-up version that’s also a treat for the eyes. But don’t just save the recipe for special occasions. This creamy chilled dessert is easy enough to add sweetness to any day, and is loved by kids and adults.

Perfectlyfree non-dairy frozen bites currently come in five fun flavors: Mint Chocolate, Salted Caramel Vanilla, Cocoa Vanilla, Raspberry Chocolate, and the Orange Crème used in this vegan semifreddo.

Each bite is made without artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors. And they contain just 30 calories, 1 gram of fat, and about 3 grams of sugar for a decadent portion-controlled treat.

Perfectlyfree non-dairy frozen bites recently received vegan certification from Vegan.org. They are also free of the top 8 allergens, but do contain coconut. This vegan semifreddo recipe uses cashews, but we’ve provided a nut-free options so everyone can enjoy this creamy frozen dessert.

This post is sponsored by perfectlyfree, but we only work with products that we love! The recipe and photos are by Hannah Kaminsky, a Go Dairy Free team member, professional photographer, and vegan cookbook author. 

Special Diet Notes: Orange Creamsicle Vegan Semifreddo

By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, optionally nut-free, peanut-free, soy-free, vegan, and vegetarian.

5.0 from 3 reviews

Orange Creamsicle Vegan Semifreddo

 

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Prep time

45 mins

Total time

45 mins

 

This sweet citrusy twist on a childhood favorite has a delicious surprise in the middle! Please note that the Prep time reflects the hands on time only. It does not including soaking and chilling times, so this is a great make ahead recipe!

Author: Hannah Kaminsky

Serves: about 8 servings

Ingredients

Vegan Semifreddo

• 1 (14-ounce) can full-fat coconut milk
• ½ cup raw cashews (see below for Nut-Free Option)
• ¼ cup dairy-free lemon or vanilla yogurt alternative
• ⅓ cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon orange liqueur
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 16 perfectlyfree orange crème bites

Orange Coulis

• 1 cup orange juice
• 1 teaspoon agar powder
• 2 tablespoons vanilla dairy-free milk beverage

Instructions

Vegan Semifreddo

1. Place the coconut milk can in the refrigerator, and a mixing bowl with beaters in the freezer. Put the cashews in a bowl and cover with water. Let all of these sit for 4 to 6 hours.
2. Open the can of coconut milk without shaking it. Scoop out the solidified layer of cream and place it in your chilled mixing bowl. You should get around ⅔ cup of spoonable coconut cream. Save the leftover coconut water for another use, like smoothies.
3. Begin mixing the coconut cream on low speed and gradually turn it up to high. Whip the cream until firm, fluffy peaks form, which could take as long as 8 to 10 minutes.
4. Drain the cashews and place them in your blender or food processor. Add the yogurt and sugar and puree until completely smooth. Add the liqueur, zest, and vanilla extract, and pulse to incorporate.
5. Gently fold about one-third of the cashew mixture into the whipped coconut cream to avoid deflating the whip. Repeat with another third, and then the final third, until creamy and smooth. It should have the consistency of a citrus-coconut mousse.
6. Spoon the semifreddo base into large square silicone ice cube molds or individual ramekins until about three-fourths of the way full. Gently press one orange crème bite into the center, and then a second on top. The second bite should peek about halfway out of the top.
7. Carefully move the molds into your freezer and freeze the vegan semifreddo for at least 8 hours, or until fully solidified.
8. If there are any leftover perfectlyfree bites, enjoy them while you wait. You've earned it!

Orange Coulis

1. Whisk together the orange juice and agar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a boil. Immediately pour the mixture into a heat-proof container, let cool, and then refrigerate. The mixture will set to a firm gel.
2. Place the orange gel in your blender or food processor. Add the milk beverage and puree until it turns into a smooth, thick sauce.
3. To serve, spoon a generous amount of the orange coulis onto the bottom of a dish, pop out one of the individual semifreddos, and place it in the center. Let it thaw slightly at room temperature for about 5 to 10 minute before digging into this decadent dessert!

Notes

Nut-Free Option: Substitute ½ cup young Thai coconut meat for the cashews OR chill a second can of full-fat coconut milk. Scoop ½ cup of the thick coconut cream to use in place of the cashews.

3.5.3229

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