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Zuppa Inglese, a Lighter Version of an Italian Classic for Feast of the Seven Fishes

Zuppa inglese, which literally translates to “English soup”, is essentially a type of Italian trifle.

Slice of Zuppa Inglese

Zuppa inglese a great choice for dessert when preparing a traditional Italian Christmas Eve dinner celebrating the Feast of the Seven Fishes (or nine or thirteen, whichever you celebrate).

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Brought to America from Southern Italy where it is all but forgotten, the Feast of the Seven Fishes is a meal eaten by Italian ­Americans that features (at least) seven fish/seafood dishes.

Along with our hosts, Heather from All Roads Lead to the Kitchen and Lora from Savoring Italy, a dozen food bloggers have come together to share menu ideas for your Seven Fishes feast. Along with the traditional seven fish and seafood dishes, we’ve included a few side dishes, a palate cleanser, a dessert, and a cocktail.

Salmon Rillettes from Karen’s Kitchen Stories

Marinated Shrimp Salad from A Healthy Life For Me

Pistachio Crusted Baked Cod from Cravings of a Lunatic

Pasta con le Sarde from Savoring Italy

Tuscan Seafood Stew from Food Done Light

Mixed Seafood Risotto from All Roads Lead to the Kitchen

Linguine with Scallops and Broccoli from Kudos Kitchen By Renee

Brussels Sprouts Risotto from Eats Well With Others

Marinated Roasted Vegetables from That Skinny Chick Can Bake

Limoncello Sorbet from Creative Culinary

Cranberry Limoncello Spritzer from Snappy Gourmet

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As many Italians know, what is known by one name in one region of Italy, may be known as many other names in other regions, which I discussed in my post on frappe (or chiacchiere, or cioffe, etc.) My family’s version of zuppa Inglese is made more like a stand-up tiramisu than a trifle, as it’s not made in a bowl, but on a plate. It’s also not the prettiest dessert, but I can assure you that what it lacks in beauty, it makes up in flavor.

What is Zuppa Inglese?

Translated in English, it means English soup. Don’t get put off, though, it’s a lovely, tiramisù-esque Italian dessert.

Zuppa Inglese is made with Marsala wine soaked biscuits/cookies which are layered with plain and chocolate custard fillings. When left in the fridge overnight, the biscuits become a soft, almost cake-like layer, and the combination is truly top-notch for such a simple dessert!

Christina's Zuppa Inglese

My family’s version of this dessert is made with crema pasticcera, which is a custard-like pudding (made with flour) used for filling many Italian desserts. Half of the crema is plain, and the other half is flavored with chocolate. However, I have the recipe for pistachio crema pasticcera, so you could even use this!

However, I’ve taken liberty in making this dessert with a lighter filling. My mother used Nutella instead of chocolate the last time she made zuppa Inglese and raved about it, so I also added Nutella into the whipped cream.

Can you make Zuppa Inglese in Advance?

Not only CAN you make it in advance, you NEED to make it in advance, just like tiramisù! The biscuits need time to soak up the marsala, so a few hours in the fridge is the minimum time it needs before it’s served.

Can you Freeze Zuppa Inglese?

Although I haven’t frozen zuppa inglese, I would assume that it would freeze well for a short time since it’s similar to tiramisu (which freezes well.) Let us know in the comments below if you’ve frozen this dessert.

Christina's Zuppa Inglese recipe
Don’t worry about this looking perfect, it never does.

Christina’s Zuppa Inglese Recipe

this is how my family makes this dessert.          serves 4 to 6

FULL PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW

Ingredients

  • tea biscuits/cookies similar to these

Tea Biscuits

  • sweet marsala (I love Marsala all’Uovo, but unless you’re in Canada or Europe it will be almost impossible to find)

Marsala all'Uovo

  • one recipe of homemade custard, made with the same ingredients, but using only 3/4 cup milk (6 oz)
  • Nutella or Nocciolata
  • whipping cream
  • chocolate sprinkles, or chocolate curls

Directions

Whip the cream until stiff and fold half into the cooled custard.

Put the chocolate hazelnut spread into the other half and fold until evenly blended.

Pour some Marsala into a shallow bowl and begin dipping the biscuits/cookies into the liqueur. Place three in a row on a serving plate, then spread half of the plain custard over the top.

Making Christina's Zuppa Inglese
Continue dipping biscuits in the Marsala (adding more wine to the dish as needed), but place the biscuits in the opposite direction (cutting the biscuits to fill out the layer, after they’ve been dipped). As I said in the photo above, the dessert never looks perfect, but it will be fine in the end. This process ensures the dessert won’t tip over.

Layering biscuits for Zuppa Inglese

Next, spread a layer of the chocolate cream, and repeat the process two more times, so you end up with this. Use half of the creams for each layer.

Christina's Zuppa Inglese

To finish the top, spread a thin layer of the custard and dust with chocolate sprinkles, or curls. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight, before serving.

Serving of Zuppa Inglese

Buon Natale!

Zuppa Inglese slice on a plate
Slice of Zuppa Inglese

Zuppa Inglese (English Soup)

Servings: 6
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Chilling time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
A tiramisù-style Italian dessert made with cookies and two flavors of pastry cream, which is often served at Christmastime.
No ratings yet

Ingredients

  • 8 oz whipping cream
  • 1 c crema pasticcera (using 1/2 quantities of my recipe below)
  • 3 Tbsp chocolate hazelnut spread (without palm oil, preferably)
  • 15 tea biscuits rectangular (like Nice tea biscuits)
  • ¾ c Marsala wine sweet (preferably Marsala all'Uovo)
  • 1 Tbsp chocolate sprinkles (or flakes or curls)

Instructions

  • Whip the cream until stiff and fold half into the crema pasticcera. (Reserve 1 tablespoonful, and set aside.)
  • Put the chocolate hazelnut spread into the other half and fold until evenly blended.
  • Pour some Marsala into a shallow bowl and begin dipping the biscuits/cookies into the liqueur.
  • Place three in a row on a serving plate, then spread half of the plain crema pasticcera over the top.
  • Continue dipping biscuits in the Marsala (adding more wine to the dish as needed), but place the biscuits in the opposite direction (cutting the biscuits to fill out the layer, after they've been dipped).
  • Next, spread a layer of the chocolate whipped cream, and repeat the process two more times, using half of the cream for each layer.
  • Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight.
  • To finish the top, spread the reserved tablespoonful of cream thinly over the top and sprinkle with chocolate sprinkles, or chocolate curls just before serving.

Notes

  • Use a liqueur or spirit, like rum, if you can't find sweet Marsala.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 362kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 43mg | Sodium: 105mg | Potassium: 123mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 577IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 1mg

zuppa Inglese slice

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 Feast of the Seven Fishes Menu

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37 Comments

  1. Please don’t think I am a copycat! I am planning a Zuppa Inglese post very soon! I love yours using the biscuits! Mine will NOT be a lighter version! Hope you are ready for Christmas!

    1. I would never think you’re a copycat, David! It’s part of blogger territory; happens all them time! Can’t wait to see yours, but I am so NOT ready for Christmas! :(

  2. What I love most is that this is a delicious dessert that’s so easy, Christina. And just perfectly pretty at this time of year! What a super idea for you to get together and come up with a lovely looking Italian Christmas Eve feast. That menu looks super! s

  3. Christina, this is gorgeous and I love your explanation about the regions of Italy and how words mean different things. I’ve actually been contacted by Italian readers of my blog when I make mistakes about the Italian bread I bake! Stunning dessert and perfect for this Feast!