Name: Christmas Semifreddo with Nuts and Raisins Recipe
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 9 h 10 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 whipping cream, cold (whip with 4 tbsp icing sugar if skipping the raisins); chopped almonds; chopped walnuts; chopped raisins; icing sugar for dusting

Imagine a velvety, slightly frozen dessert bursting with festive spices, crunchy nuts, and sweet raisins — that’s exactly what you get with this Christmas Semifreddo with Nuts and Raisins Recipe. It’s a perfect make-ahead treat that brings warmth, texture, and holiday spirit to your table.

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

This Christmas Semifreddo with Nuts and Raisins Recipe isn’t just any dessert — it’s a celebration of texture and spice wrapped in creamy coldness. I first made it when looking for something lighter than the usual Christmas pudding and instantly fell in love with its elegant simplicity and rich, festive flavor.

Festive Flavor Blend: The warming notes of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg make it instantly Christmas-y without overpowering.
Perfectly Balanced Texture: Crunchy toasted nuts mix with chewy raisins and smooth semifreddo for a delightful bite every time.
Make-Ahead Miracle: It needs at least 8 hours to freeze, making it an ideal dessert you can prep in advance, reducing your holiday stress.
Elegant Yet Simple: It looks impressive, tastes like a treat, and doesn’t require fancy ingredients or complex steps.

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

The magic in this Christmas Semifreddo with Nuts and Raisins Recipe comes from combining classic semifreddo texture with the cozy flavors and textures of toasted nuts and plump raisins. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in resulting in a silky, festive dessert.

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 the custard base that holds the air and richness essential for silky semifreddo.
Water & Sugar: Make a simple syrup that gently cooks and stabilizes the egg yolks to a safe, fluffy texture.
Ground Cinnamon, Cloves & Nutmeg: These Christmas spices add warmth and depth, making every bite smell like the holidays.
Vanilla Paste or Extract: Adds a sweet, aromatic undertone that complements the spices and nuts beautifully.
Almonds & Walnuts: Toasting them enhances their nuttiness which contrasts perfectly with creamy semifreddo.
Golden and Regular Raisins: Their natural sweetness and chewiness bring surprising bursts that keep it interesting.
Whipping Cream: Whipped to glossy peaks, it lightens and aerates the custard base for that melt-in-the-mouth feel.

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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 best things about the Christmas Semifreddo with Nuts and Raisins Recipe is how easily you can personalize it. Over the years, I’ve tweaked the nut ratios and experimented with adding orange zest or a splash of rum to boost the festive vibe. Feel free to make this your own!

Variation: Once, I substituted pecans for walnuts and added chopped dried cranberries instead of raisins — it totally changed the flavor profile and made for a lovely tart contrast.
Dairy-free option: You can swap whipping cream for coconut cream to keep it creamy but dairy-free.
Extra Spice Boost: Adding a pinch of ground ginger or cardamom amps up the holiday spices without being overwhelming.
No raisin version: If raisins aren’t your thing, just increase the nuts and add a touch more sugar to balance the texture.

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

Step 1: Toast and prep your nuts and pan

Start by roasting the almonds and walnuts in a 180°C (350°F) oven for 5 to 8 minutes — just until they turn lightly golden and release their aroma. Let them cool completely; this step really brings out their flavor. Meanwhile, line a bread pan (about 22x11cm) with baking paper. I like to lightly oil the pan first, then press the paper in place so it fits perfectly—this helps when it's time to unmold your semifreddo.

Step 2: Make the warm sugar syrup and whip egg yolks

Place the egg yolks in a bowl and stir briefly just to prevent that skin from forming on top. Next, bring water and sugar to a boil over medium heat, stirring until the sugar fully dissolves. Once boiling robustly (there’s no need to thicken it), pour the hot syrup slowly down the side of the bowl while beating the yolks on high speed. Keep whipping until the mixture triples in volume and cools to room temperature—this step creates that lovely fluffy custard base.

Step 3: Fold in spices, nuts, raisins and whipped cream

Gently fold in the ground cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and vanilla. Then add your chopped toasted nuts and both kinds of raisins, folding carefully to avoid deflating. In a separate bowl, whip the cold cream until it’s glossy but not stiff—soft peaks are perfect here. Slowly fold the cream into your egg yolk mixture until everything is beautifully combined.

Step 4: Freeze and garnish

Pour the mixture into your prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Pop it in the freezer for at least 8 hours, or overnight. When ready to serve, use the baking paper to lift it out carefully, then unstick the paper from the sides, flip it onto your serving plate, and peel off the paper. I always finish with a shower of chopped nuts, raisins, and a dusting of icing sugar for that extra festive sparkle.

Top Tip

Making this Christmas Semifreddo with Nuts and Raisins Recipe my go-to dessert taught me a few things that can help you nail it every time. Here are the key tips I swear by:

Temperature Matters: Make sure your syrup is boiling hot when you add it to the yolks—that heat cooks the eggs and creates a safe custard with body.
Toast Nuts Thoroughly: Don’t skip roasting your nuts; it enhances flavor and adds that crunch that contrasts so beautifully with the creamy semifreddo.
Whip Cream Just Right: Stop at soft peaks — overwhipping turns it grainy and underwhipping loses the light texture.
Patience Freezing: Freeze long enough for the semifreddo to hold shape but not hard like an ice cream block. Overnight is best for clean slices.

How to Serve Christmas Semifreddo with Nuts and Raisins Recipe

Christmas semifreddo - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping the semifreddo with extra toasted almonds, walnuts, and a few scattered golden and regular raisins—they add a festive sparkle and give a hint of what’s inside. A light dusting of icing sugar always makes it look like a holiday treat straight from a bakery window.

Side Dishes

This dessert shines on its own but pairs wonderfully with a warm cup of spiced mulled wine or chai tea to keep your guests cozy. If you want more, try serving it alongside a simple berry compote or a drizzle of dark chocolate sauce for an indulgent contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

For special gatherings, I’ve served the Christmas Semifreddo with Nuts and Raisins Recipe in a loaf shape as described, but also in elegant individual glasses layered with spoonfuls of fruit preserves. This makes it look extra sophisticated and means less fuss when serving guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once you’ve sliced and served your semifreddo, any leftovers should be returned to an airtight container and kept in the freezer. I usually place parchment paper between slices if I pre-cut some beforehand to prevent sticking.

Freezing

This dessert freezes beautifully, making it a great option for preparing ahead of time. Just be sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap after removing from the pan to avoid freezer burn or absorbing other odors.

Reheating

No reheating needed here—the beauty of semifreddo is in its chilled, creamy texture. Let any leftovers sit at room temperature for about 5–10 minutes before serving to soften slightly for the best mouthfeel.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Christmas Semifreddo with Nuts and Raisins Recipe in advance?

Absolutely! In fact, it needs at least 8 hours, preferably overnight, to freeze properly. This makes it a perfect dessert to prepare ahead of your Christmas celebration, freeing up time on the day.

Can I substitute the nuts or raisins for other ingredients?

Yes, this semifreddo is very versatile. You can swap nuts like almonds and walnuts for pecans or hazelnuts. Raisins can be replaced with dried cranberries, chopped dates, or even chopped candied orange peel for a different flavor twist. Just be mindful of sweetness and texture.

Is it safe to use raw egg yolks in this semifreddo recipe?

Good question! The hot sugar syrup is poured over the egg yolks while beating, effectively cooking them and creating a safe custard base. Make sure the syrup is boiling and add it slowly to the yolks while whipping to ensure safety.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Definitely! You can substitute the whipping cream with chilled coconut cream. Whip it just as you would with regular cream to get that same airy texture, and the semifreddo will still have a wonderful mouthfeel and flavor.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Semifreddo with Nuts and Raisins Recipe holds a special place in my holiday traditions. It’s one of those desserts that feels both indulgent and comforting without being heavy or complicated. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do—and maybe it will become a sweet highlight of your festive celebrations, too!