Name: Christmas Semifreddo with Nuts and Raisins Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 8 h 38 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 4 egg yolks; 60 ml water; 60 g granulated sugar; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; ¼ tsp ground cloves; pinch nutmeg; 1 tsp vanilla paste or seeds from 1 vanilla pod, or 1 tsp vanilla extract, or 1 tsp vanilla essence; 40 g almonds; 40 g walnuts; 30 g golden raisins, chopped; 30 g regular raisins, chopped; 250 ml cold whipping cream (whip with 4 tbsp icing sugar if skipping the raisins); Chopped almonds; Chopped walnuts; Chopped raisins; Icing sugar for dusting

There’s something about the creamy texture and gentle spice of this dessert that instantly feels like Christmas. This Christmas Semifreddo with Nuts and Raisins Recipe is a festive treat you’ll want to make again and again—it's rich, nutty, and just sweet enough to satisfy your holiday sweet tooth without being overwhelming.

The image shows a rectangular light beige dessert on an old silver tray with delicate patterns, sitting on a white marbled surface. The dessert looks like it is one solid layer with a fluffy, slightly rough texture. The top surface is covered with a mixture of chopped nuts and golden raisins, sprinkled with powdered sugar. In the background, there is a soft focus of stacked white plates and a white cloth, adding a gentle, calming effect. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Semifreddo with Nuts and Raisins Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Semifreddo with Nuts and Raisins Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Semifreddo with Nuts and Raisins Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I first tried this Christmas Semifreddo with Nuts and Raisins Recipe a few holidays ago, and it quickly became a beloved tradition in my kitchen. If you’re looking for a show-stopping dessert that’s as beautiful as it is flavorful, this is it.

Perfect balance: The marriage of toasted nuts and sweet raisins folded into creamy semifreddo makes every bite perfectly festive.
No oven required (mostly): Besides roasting the nuts, you can prepare this chilled dessert without a complex bake.
Make-ahead friendly: You can assemble this well before the party, giving you stress-free hosting.
Customizable: You can swap nuts or raisins for your favorites, making it your own very easily.

A rectangular cream-colored dessert sits on an ornate silver tray with floral patterns and two handles. The dessert has one visible layer covered with chopped nuts and raisins on top, lightly dusted with powdered sugar that also sprinkles the tray and nearby white cloth. The dessert looks smooth and creamy with a light tan color beneath the topping. The tray, cloth, and dessert are placed on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

I love how each ingredient in this Christmas Semifreddo with Nuts and Raisins Recipe brings its own magic. The spices add warmth, the nuts give texture and crunch, and the raisins give a natural sweetness that pairs beautifully with the creamy base.

Flat lay of whole brown eggs with clean shells, small white ceramic bowl of clear water, small white ceramic bowl of granulated sugar, small white ceramic bowl of ground cinnamon powder, small white ceramic bowl of ground cloves powder, small white ceramic bowl with a pinch of nutmeg powder, small white ceramic bowl with vanilla seeds, a handful of whole raw almonds, a handful of whole raw walnuts, small white ceramic bowl of golden raisins, small white ceramic bowl of dark raisins, small white ceramic bowl of cold whipping cream, small white ceramic bowl of icing sugar, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Egg yolks: They create that silky, custard-like base that makes semifreddo so luscious.
Granulated sugar: Dissolves into a syrup for smooth sweetness and to stabilize the egg yolks.
Ground cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg: Classic Christmas spices that bring festive warmth and depth.
Vanilla (paste, extract, or seeds): Adds aromatic sweetness that complements the nuts and spices.
Almonds and walnuts: Toasted to deepen flavor and provide a delightful crunch to contrast the creamy semifreddo.
Golden and regular raisins: Chopped for bursts of chewiness and natural sweetness.
Whipping cream: Whipped gently to airy perfection, balancing richness and lightness.
Baking paper and just a tiny bit of oil: Essential to help unmold your semifreddo perfectly.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the things I adore about this Christmas Semifreddo with Nuts and Raisins Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. Over the years, I’ve swapped the nuts for pecans or pistachios and sometimes add a splash of rum-soaked raisins for an extra festive kick.

Variation: Adding a touch of orange zest or a splash of brandy enhances the holiday flavor and adds a surprising citrus note that guests love.
Dairy-free option: You can try coconut cream instead of whipping cream to make it suitable for those avoiding dairy.
Nut-free version: Swap nuts for chopped candied ginger or dried cranberries to maintain texture and festive flavors.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Semifreddo with Nuts and Raisins Recipe

Step 1: Toast the Nuts for Maximum Flavor

Start by roasting the almonds and walnuts in a preheated oven at 180°C / 350°F for about 5 to 8 minutes. Keep an eye on them—they should turn a lovely golden brown and smell toasty. This step unlocks their full flavor, and you’ll notice a huge difference compared to using raw nuts. Once cool, chop them roughly so they add great texture in every bite.

Step 2: Prepare Your Pan Carefully

Line your loaf pan (approximately 22x11cm) with baking paper cut to size. To get the paper to stick nicely inside the pan, rub a little vegetable oil on the surface and press the paper firmly in place. This helps when it’s time to unmold your semifreddo so everything slides out effortlessly.

Step 3: Make the Egg Yolk Syrup and Whip It Up

Place the egg yolks in a mixing bowl and start beating them gently just so a skin doesn’t form. Meanwhile, heat water and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat until the sugar fully dissolves and it reaches a rolling boil. Don’t worry about thickening the syrup. Slowly pour the hot syrup down the side of the bowl while whisking the egg yolks on high speed. Keep whipping until the mixture triples in volume and cools to room temperature. This will give you a beautifully light and fluffy base.

Step 4: Fold in Nuts, Raisins, and Whipped Cream

Gently fold your toasted nuts and chopped raisins into the egg yolk mixture using a spatula. Then, whip the cold cream until it’s glossy but not overdone—soft peaks are perfect here. Fold that whipped cream into your yolk and nut mixture carefully. Patience here is key! You want to keep as much air as possible to keep the semifreddo light.

Step 5: Freeze and Garnish

Pour the mixture into your prepared pan, smooth the top gently, then cover and freeze for at least 8 hours—overnight is best. When you’re ready to serve, use the paper sling to lift it out of the pan. If your pan wasn’t lined, try dipping the base quickly in warm (not hot) water to loosen it. Garnish generously with chopped almonds, walnuts, raisins, and a dusting of icing sugar to really make it festive.

Top Tip

From my testing and holiday hosting, I’ve learned some tips that make this Christmas Semifreddo with Nuts and Raisins Recipe foolproof and show-worthy every time.

Don’t skip the roasted nuts: Toasting is a game changer for flavor and crunch.
Use a kitchen thermometer: I always check my sugar syrup temperature to avoid overcooking—it should be hot but not caramelized.
Gentle folding technique: Fold your whipped cream in slowly to keep the semifreddo airy and light.
Freeze overnight: The texture improves, and you’ll have easier slicing for perfect portions.

How to Serve Christmas Semifreddo with Nuts and Raisins Recipe

Christmas Semifreddo - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I stick to chopped almonds, walnuts, and golden raisins for garnishing—it keeps the look rustic and inviting. A light dusting of icing sugar adds that snowy, festive touch I can’t resist. Sometimes I throw in a sprig of fresh mint for color and freshness, especially if serving after a rich meal.

Side Dishes

This semifreddo is a dessert star on its own, but I love pairing it with a hot espresso or mulled wine to complement the spices. If you want to add fruit, a spiced poached pear or orange slices with cinnamon are stellar partners.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I’ve sliced the semifreddo into elegant rectangles and served on festive plates garnished with edible gold leaf and candied orange peel. Another time, I layered it in individual glasses with crushed gingerbread for a stunning parfait effect. Both got rave reviews!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers keep beautifully in the freezer wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container. I always label mine with the date so nothing overstays its welcome. When properly wrapped, the texture and flavor stay true for up to two weeks.

Freezing

This dessert freezes wonderfully thanks to its high cream content. I recommend freezing it solid for at least 8 hours or overnight. Avoid freezing it longer than two weeks to keep fresh flavors.

Reheating

No reheating needed here! I let the semifreddo sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes before slicing to soften slightly. This makes cutting cleaner and serving easier without melting the whole dessert.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I substitute the nuts in this Christmas Semifreddo with Nuts and Raisins Recipe?

Absolutely! While almonds and walnuts give the classic flavor and crunch, you can use pecans, pistachios, or even hazelnuts depending on your preference or allergies. Just toast them lightly for the best flavor.

How long can I store this semifreddo in the freezer?

When wrapped well and stored airtight, this semifreddo keeps happily frozen for up to two weeks without losing texture or taste. Beyond that, it’s still safe but may develop some ice crystals.

Can I prepare this dessert ahead of time for a party?

Yes! This dessert is ideal for make-ahead. Prepare it a day or two before your gathering and keep it frozen. Just remove it from the freezer 10-15 minutes prior to serving to soften it enough to slice nicely.

What’s the best way to serve Christmas Semifreddo with Nuts and Raisins Recipe?

I recommend serving it sliced with a light dusting of icing sugar and some extra chopped nuts and raisins on the side. Pairing with spiced coffee or a glass of sweet dessert wine rounds out the flavors beautifully.

Final Thoughts

I always end up making this Christmas Semifreddo with Nuts and Raisins Recipe when I want a dessert that tastes special but doesn’t require me to work all day in the kitchen. It’s festive, creamy, and comforting with the perfect blend of spices and texture—and it’s something I’m sure you’ll find yourself reaching for every holiday season. Give it a try, and I promise it’ll be a new family favorite before you know it!