Name: Milk Chocolate Semifreddo with Star Anise Carrot Cake
Yield: Makes 6 to 8 servings
Ingredients: 8 ounces milk chocolate, chopped; 1 cup heavy cream; 2 egg whites; 1 cup sugar; 2 large eggs; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar; 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt; 3/4 cup whole-wheat flour; 1 1/2 teaspoons ground star anise; 1/8 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 2 cups shredded carrots, with greens reserved (for garnish, optional); 2 cups fresh carrot juice; 2 tablespoons cornstarch; 1 tablespoon sugar; Pinch coarse salt

Image may contain Plant Food Dish Meal Pottery Jar Cutlery Spoon and Vase

Milk Chocolate Semifreddo with Star Anise Carrot CakeEllen Silverman

Charlie Trotter, Charlie Trotter's, Chicago, Illinois
Lee Jones, The Chef's Garden, Huron, Ohio (carrots)

A semifreddo is basically an ice cream cake, and Chef Trotter uses carrots, chocolate, and spices as unexpected partners in his version. Star anise enhances the sweetness in the carrots and adds a distinctive hint of licorice to the rich chocolate. There are no egg yolks in this recipe—it's the meringue that gives the semifreddo a smooth texture.

Recipe notes

See Related Recipes and Cooking Tips

34 No-Churn Frozen Desserts
No ice cream maker? No worries—these semifreddo, granita, sorbet, and creamy popsicle recipes don't need one.
14 Recipes for Easier-Than-You-Think Italian Ice Cream
The Italian dessert Semifreddo means "semi-frozen." It doesn't require an ice cream maker yet is equally cool, creamy, and satisfying.

Caramelized Onion Pasta

Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.

Our Favorite French Onion Soup

Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.

Béchamel Sauce

This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.

Okonomiyaki Tater Tots

Crispy tots topped with savory-sweet sauce, mayonnaise, furikake, scallion, and katsuobushi.

Butternut Squash–Kale Salad With Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette

Round out these autumn greens with tart pomegranate seeds, crunchy pepitas, and a shower of Parmesan.

Sheet-Pan Chicken Souvlaki

Tender, juicy chicken skewers are possible in the oven—especially when roasted alongside spiced chickpeas and finished with fresh tomatoes and salty feta.

Mascarpone Cheesecake

An extra-silky filling (no water bath needed!) and a smooth sour cream topping make this the ultimate cheesecake.

Crispy Salmon With Avocado Sauce

You’ll want to put this creamy (but dairy-free) green sauce on everything and it’s particularly sublime under crispy-skinned salmon.

Recipe notes

34 No-Churn Frozen Desserts

14 Recipes for Easier-Than-You-Think Italian Ice Cream