Brown Butter Semifreddo with Candied Clementines

By OcadoLife
If you have guests coming over, a make-ahead dessert is a great option. This Brown Butter Semifreddo with Candied Clementines from pastry chef and bakery owner Anna Higham needs 48 hrs of chilling for the clementines,…
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Time and servings

Total time
Servings
Prep time
Cooking time

Ingredients

9 total
  • 6 clementines, finely sliced into rounds (reserve any juice)
  • 180g caster sugar, plus extra for the candied clementines
  • 100g salted butter, roughly diced
  • 75g panko breadcrumbs
  • 30g light muscovado sugar
  • 4 large egg whites
  • 300g double cream
  • 75g crème fraîche
  • ½ tsp vanilla paste

Method

8 steps
  1. Step 1

    In a container, mix the clementine slices and any juice with an equal weight of caster sugar. Cover and chill for 48 hrs or up to 2 weeks.

  2. Step 2

    Melt the butter in a pan over medium heat for 5 mins (approx.) until browned and nutty, whisking constantly. Pour into a heatproof bowl, scraping in all the caramelised solids. Leave to cool slightly.

  3. Step 3

    Preheat the oven to 170°C/150°C fan/gas 3. Mix the breadcrumbs and muscovado sugar in a bowl; stir in half the browned butter to coat. Spread onto a lined baking tray; bake for 15 mins (approx.) until golden, then leave to cool.

  4. Step 4

    For the semifreddo, mix the 180g caster sugar and egg whites in a heatproof bowl and place over a pan of gently simmering water. Whisk continuously for 3 mins, until the sugar has dissolved. To test, rub a little of the mixture between your fingers – if you can’t feel the grains, it’s ready.

  5. Step 5

    Remove from the heat and beat with an electric whisk on high speed for about 5 mins until stiff and glossy. Reduce to low speed and whisk in the remaining browned butter, along with all the solids from the base of the bowl, until combined.

  6. Step 6

    In a separate bowl, whisk the double cream, crème fraîche and vanilla to medium-stiff peaks. Gently fold the egg whites mixture into the whipped cream mix with two-thirds of the caramelised breadcrumbs.

  7. Step 7

    Line a 900g loaf tin with baking paper and scatter the remaining breadcrumbs evenly into the base. Spoon in the semifreddo mixture; smooth the top and gently tap the tin on your worktop once or twice to settle it. Cover and freeze overnight (it will keep well for up to 3 months).

  8. Step 8

    To serve, turn out onto a serving plate and top with the candied clementines and some of the syrup. Bring to the table and slice with a knife dipped in hot water.