Italian Chocolate Nutella Ice Cream Cake (Zuccotto)

I've been anxious to share this all week! Since it's Friday, let's end it on a sweet note with this Italian Chocolate Nutella Ice Cream Cake (Zuccotto). This was definitely a show stopper at the Tuscan Grill Party I hosted last weekend. In planning my Tuscan inspired menu, I looked through various Italian recipes. When I came across the idea of making a zuccotto for dessert, it was a done deal. What could be more perfect than cake and ice cream? This version of the Italian ice cream cake layers chocolate cake, vanilla bean ice cream and nutella whipped cream into a frozen bombe, for a gorgeous presentation of a delicious dessert!...

So, a zuccotto means 'little pumpkin' in Italian. This dessert is traditionally made in a pumpkin shaped mold but can also be made in a freezer safe bowl. It's a layered dessert of cake, which makes up the outer layer. Most of the recipes I came across called for a white or yellow sponge cake. To add my own twist, I baked a chocolate cake in a loaf pan instead. The next layer is vanilla ice cream. Feel free to make your own or if you want to save time, buy it from the store. Last layer (or the center of the bombe) is whipped heavy cream with Nutella and toasted almonds folded in. Then it's all wrapped in plastic wrap and frozen. The longer, the better so that the cake and ice cream layers will hold their shape for serving. This is a great summertime dessert on those hot days and will definitely be one that will impressed your guests!

Italian Chocolate Nutella Ice Cream Cake (Zuccotto)
recipe adapted from Giada De Laurentiis

Nonstick cooking spray
1 (12-ounce) chocolate loaf cake (chocolate cake baked in a loaf pan)
1 quart vanilla bean ice cream (homemade or store bought), softened
1/4 cup Nutella or chocolate hazelnut spread
1 1/2 cups chilled whipping cream
2 tablespoons powdered sugar + more for garnish
1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted

Spray a 1 1/2-quart bowl with nonstick cooking spray. Line the bowl with plastic wrap. Cut the loaf cake crosswise into 1/3-inch-thick slices. Line the bottom and sides of the prepared bowl with the cake pieces, cutting as needed to cover. Reserve the extra slices.

Next, carefully place the softened ice cream inside the cake lined bowl. Spread the ice cream around the sides and bottom of the bowl, keeping a well in the center.

Using an electric mixer or stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat 1 cup of cream until it is thick and fluffy. Fold in the Nutella/chocolate hazelnut spread and toasted almonds into the whipped cream, being careful not to over fold or mix. Transfer this Nutella whipped cream into the filled bowl, right in the well. Fill the well with this mixture and spread over the cake, covering completely and filling the well in the center.

Place the remaining cake slices over the filling to cover completely and trimming to fit, if necessary. Cover the cake with plastic wrap and place in freezer for at least 3 hours and up to 1 day.

When ready to serve, invert the cake onto a platter and let it sit for a few minutes to soften enough for easy removal from the bowl. Remove the bowl and the plastic wrap. Garnish by sifting powdered sugar over the cake and serve.