Did Someone Say Spumoni?

Traditionally, Spumoni is three flavors of gelato molded into layers to create a unique dessert. The creamy creation often includes candied fruits and nuts in two layers and with a third chocolate layer.

However; in America most spumonis are made with ice creams and not gelato. These include a cherry layer with cherry bits, a layer of pistachio ice cream and a layer of chocolate ice cream. Americans have expanded Spumoni ice creams to include hazelnuts, strawberries and even pineapple layers just to name a few.

We’ve gone even further – classifying anything with pistachio, chocolate and cherries served together as a Spumoni Inspired dessert. This is anything from ice creams to cookies and even cheesecakes. So in that spirit of the Italian Gelato creation, I give you a cookie based Spumoni Bar. Enjoy!

Spumoni Bars
Pistachio Layer
1/2 cup Pistachio Nuts
1 (16.5 oz) roll refrigerated Sugar Cookie Dough
1/4 teaspoon Green Gel Food Color

Heat oven to 350-degrees. Line 9-inch square pan with foil, extending foil over edges, set aside.

Shell and chop Pistachio Nuts. Place in a medium bowl. Add sugar cookie dough and food coloring. Stir together, then kneed until well-blended. Press dough evenly in bottom of the prepared pan.

Bake cookie layer for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and cool completely, about 1 hour.

Cherry Layer
1/3 cup Maraschino Cherries
1/4 cup Butter
1/4 cup White Chocolate Instant Pudding (from 4-serving box)
2 cups Powdered Sugar
1 tablespoon Maraschino Cherry Juice

Chop cherries, set aside.

In medium bowl, melt butter in the microwave. Let butter cool slightly. Add pudding mix and stir until well blended. Stir in maraschino cherries, powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon maraschino cherry juice. If necessary, add more cherry juice, 1 teaspoon at a time, until smooth and creamy.

Spread filling evenly over cooled cookie base. Set aside.

Chocolate Topping
1 cup Semisweet Chocolate Chips
1/4 cup Butter

In small microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips and butter together uncovered on High for about 45 seconds in 15 second intervals, stirring each time. Repeat until smooth and spreadable without turning to a liquid. Spread chocolate evenly over filling. Refrigerate about 1 hour or until set.

Lift Spumoni Bars from the pan, cut into squares and arrange on a serving platter. Serve and enjoy.

---

Looking for more? Here are a few ideas for Spumoni Day from the past.

Spumoni Ice Cream Terrain
Spumoni Swirled Cake
Spumoni Brownie Lush

• 

• 

•