Indulge in a Creamy Spumoni Dessert

Why settle for an ordinary dessert when you can indulge in a creamy, dreamy spumoni treat?

A creamy spumoni dessert offers flavor variety with layers of rich chocolate, cherry, and pistachio pudding! Perfect for special occasions or nostalgic treats.

creamy spumoni dessert

Creamy Spumoni Bliss: A Crowd Pleasing Classic Dessert! Perfect for potlucks and family gatherings.

spumoni layered dessert

Why Spumoni Still Matters:

  1. Nostalgia & Vintage Food Trends – Spumoni harks back to the mid-century supper club era, making it a perfect fit for the current revival of vintage dining experiences and comfort foods.

  2. Flavor Fusion & Customization – With its mix of textures and flavors, spumoni aligns with today's love of unique food combinations. Modern variations include dairy-free versions, gelato-based spumoni, and even deconstructed spumoni desserts like cakes and parfaits.

  3. Cultural Appreciation & Heritage Baking – As people explore their culinary roots, spumoni remains a symbol of Italian-American traditions, celebrated during National Spumoni Day (August 21) and served at family gatherings.

  4. Instagram-Worthy Aesthetic – The colorful layers of spumoni make it a visually appealing dessert, perfect for social media and retro-inspired food photography.

  5. Holiday & Seasonal Appeal – With its mix of red (cherry), green (pistachio), and brown (chocolate), spumoni is a festive dessert that fits seamlessly into holiday and seasonal menus.

spumoni creamy dessert

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The Original Neapolitan

Before Neapolitan ice cream became the go-to trio, spumoni was the real layered ice cream, packed with nuts, fruit, and flavor!

spumoni dessert layered
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Ingredients:

items for recipe
cherry

A 1950s Supper Club Favorite

Many classic supper clubs and steakhouses in the 1950s and '60s served spumoni as an elegant dessert.

Spumoni is an Italian dessert made of layered gelato, often including flavors like chocolate, pistachio, and cherry.

It usually contains bits of candied fruit and nuts, giving it a unique texture.

cherry and pudding

Creamy Spumoni Dessert Recipe

Notes:

Prep time: 20 minutes

  1. Chill time (for the puddings to set): 30 minutes

  2. Garnish and final assembly: 10 minutes

  3. Optional additional chill time before serving: 30 minutes

  4. For this recipe, a 2 to 3-quart glass or trifle dish would be ideal. This size will allow you to layer the puddings properly while leaving room for the garnishes. If you want to serve individual portions, consider using small dessert cups or bowls, each holding about 1 cup of dessert. The glass containers will also allow the beautiful layers to show off, adding to the presentation.

Ingredients:

  • 3 boxes (3.4 ounces each) of Jello pudding mix:

    • Pistachio

    • Vanilla

    • Chocolate

  • 2 teaspoons almond extract

  • 1 tablespoon of maraschino cherry juice

  • 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips

  • 1 tablespoon chopped pistachios

  • 1 tablespoon chopped maraschino cherries

  • 10 maraschino cherries (for garnish)

  • Milk (as directed on pudding box)

  • Mini marshmallows (for garnish)

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Puddings:
    In three separate bowls, prepare each flavor of Jello pudding mix according to the package instructions, using the required amount of milk.

  2. Flavor the Puddings:

    • In the chocolate pudding, stir in the mini chocolate chips.

    • In the vanilla pudding, add the almond extract, chopped maraschino cherries, and 1 tablespoon of maraschino cherry juice.

  3. Chill and Set:
    Place all three bowls in the fridge for 30 minutes, allowing the puddings to set.

  4. Prep Garnishes:
    While the puddings set, chop the pistachios and halve the 10 maraschino cherries for garnish.

  5. Layer the Pudding:
    In a small to medium glass dish, begin layering the pudding:

    • Start with a layer of chocolate pudding.

    • Follow with a layer of cherry vanilla pudding.

    • Finish with a layer of pistachio pudding.

  6. Garnish:
    Top the layered dessert with mini marshmallows, chopped pistachios, and halved maraschino cherries. As pictured below.

  7. Serve and Enjoy!
    Chill for an additional 30 minutes if desired, then serve your creamy, layered spumoni-inspired dessert

Storage

A spumoni dessert made with pudding (rather than ice cream) should be stored as follows:

  • Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container or cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap. Keep it in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 days to maintain freshness.

  • Layer Protection: If your spumoni pudding has distinct layers, avoid pressing plastic wrap directly on top to prevent smudging; instead, use a lid or loosely cover with plastic wrap.

  • Freezing (Optional): While pudding-based spumoni may not freeze as well as ice cream, you can freeze it for up to a month if needed. Use a freezer-safe container and thaw in the fridge before serving. The texture may change slightly upon thawing.

spumoni dessert

Spumoni isn’t just a dessert; it’s a celebration of flavor, texture, and tradition.

Its vibrant layers and combination of chocolate, pistachio, and cherry, make it the perfect treat for any special occasion, from vintage-themed gatherings to holiday feasts.

Whether you’re drawn to its nostalgic charm or its unique flavor profile, spumoni adds a touch of elegance and whimsy to any dessert table.

So, the next time you’re looking to impress with a dish that’s as visually stunning as it is delicious, consider bringing this timeless Italian American treat into the spotlight. It’s sure to delight and leave everyone asking for seconds!

vintage dessert
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