Tartufo (Italian Ice Cream Dessert)
Tartufo, meaning "truffle" in Italian, is a delicious Italian frozen dessert, typically made from gelato or ice cream. This version is the easiest ever, and makes a lovely ending to a rich Italian dinner.Amaretto cherries can be purchased ready-made, or you can make your own by soaking maraschino cherries in amaretto liqueur overnight.
Ingredients
- 5-6 chocolate waffle cones or chocolate cookies
- 8 scoops vanilla ice cream
- 8 amaretto-soaked cherries *see recipe notes
- 12 ounces prepared hot caramel sauce such as Smuckers
- 1/3 cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Place the cones in a zip-top bag and pulverize them to fine crumbs with a rolling pin (you can also use a food processor). Place the crumbs in a bowl.
- Using a round ice cream scoop, scoop out a ball of ice cream. While the ice cream is still in the scoop, use the end of a knife to poke a hole in the ice cream ball to the center. Push an amaretto-soaked cherry into the hole. Use the end of the knife to push it into the center and then smooth the ice cream over the hole using the knife edge.
- Use the scoop trigger release to turn the ball out into the bowl of crumbs. Use a spoon to cover the ball in crumbs and then place the ball onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat the process 7 more times until you have 8 tartufi. Freeze for 4 hours, or until very firm.
- Before serving, warm the caramel sauce and place a little onto each of 8 small plates. Top each pool of caramel with a tartufo. Drizzle more caramel on top of each tartufo, if desired. Sprinkle with chopped nuts and serve immediately.
Notes
Make your own amaretto-soaked cherries: Soak maraschino cherries in amaretto liqueur overnight, or a minimum of 4 hours. The longer they soak, the better!
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!