Image by Rosario Esposito La Rossa

Zuppa Inglese

Ah, Zuppa Inglese, the wonderfully indulgent Italian dessert. What could be better than smooth layers of fine sponge cake, smothered in velvety custard and topped with a crisp layer of chocolate? A treat so utterly delicious and comforting, it's no surprise that it has been beloved for generations.

Zuppa Inglese


The origin of Zuppa Inglese is shrouded in some mystery. It is believed to have first been made in the Renaissance period, in the court of Florence, Italy and is thought to have been created either as an offering to visiting English dignitaries or as an attempt to recreate the English trifle. Over the years many variations have been created, with various regional recipes boasting their own unique flair.

Zuppa Inglese is one of those recipes that while deliciously decadent, is surprisingly simple to make. The sponge cake, or savoiardi, can be made quickly in a food processor, then soaked in rum and layered with custard, fruit, and chocolate. While this might sound like a laborious process, it is actually quite straightforward and the resulting dish is well worth any effort.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity, allowing you to use whatever ingredients you have on hand. The custard can be customized with your favorite flavorings, and the fruit layer can easily be swapped for whatever is in season. Whatever combination you choose, Zuppa Inglese is sure to delight.

For those looking to indulge without breaking the bank, Zuppa Inglese is an ideal dessert; it looks impressive, yet is easy enough to be mastered by even novice cooks. So why not give it a try and experience the exquisite pleasure of this beloved Italian treat.

The origin of Zuppa Inglese

Zuppa Inglese is an intriguingly intriguing and delightfully delightful Italian dessert. The scrumptious treat has origins that are a veritable conundrum, as conflicting theories and long-standing myths abound about its true genesis.

The most common tale revolves around a greedy 16th century nobleman in Imola, Italy, who requested a dish of sabayon–a creamy custard made with egg yolks, sugar, and sweet wine–at a lavish banquet he hosted with his court. The chef was purportedly frustrated at being burdened with the task of inventing something new, and thus decided to take an old French dessert and give it a new Italian spin. The traditional name for this dessert was “Il Zabaglione” – it is said that the Italianized version of this name, “Zuppa Inglese”, was created to pay homage to the court’s English guests.

Alternatively, some historians suggest that the dessert was actually born in England; it has been theorized that one of the many English chefs that were serving in the courts of the Italian nobles of the same era designed a dessert on a whim which he named “English Soup” due to the fact that it was a layered concoction of crumbly cubes of cake and creamy custards.

What is certain, however, is that no matter how you slice it, Zuppa Inglese is a delicious and beloved Italian creation. This delectable dish has stuck ever since and is enjoyed to this day – a testament to its sheer timelessness.

Types of Zuppa Inglese

Ah, Zuppa Inglese - one of the most delicious Italian desserts around. Not only is this dessert incredibly tasty and full of flavor, but it has a rich history that dates back centuries. This dessert originated in Tuscany, Italy, and its name literally translates to “English Soup” in Italian. It’s a traditional Italian trifle-style dish prepared with layers of sponge cake soaked in liqueur, custard, and a thick cream.

The actual origins of Zuppa Inglese are unknown, but its popularity has spread throughout the world over the years. There are a few different varieties of this classic Italian dessert, all very scrumptious and worthy of trying.

One of the most popular versions is an allemande style, which features multiple layers of almond-flavored custard, rum-soaked ladyfingers, and a light whipped cream topping. It’s often finished off with candied fruits, such as cherries or oranges. This type of Zuppa Inglese is a favorite among those with a sweet tooth.

Another variation of Zuppa Inglese is the bianco, which is a white-based version. This dessert consists of layers of custard and torn pieces of angel food cake that are soaked in an orange or lemon liqueur. For an extra kick of flavor, some people like to add a layer of amaretto syrup or espresso coffee before the whipped cream topping.

Finally, there is the cioccolato style. This one has a chocolate twist and contains several layers of cocoa-filled custard, chocolate-dipped ladyfingers, and of course, plenty of rich whipped cream. Although the recipe varies from region to region or family to family, most versions top the cioccolato style with chocolate shavings or candied cocoa nibs.

In conclusion, Zuppa Inglese is a beloved Italian dessert with a long history. It can be found in many forms and flavors, with something for everyone. Whether you like the traditional allemande style or the more modern cioccolato variety, this dessert is sure to please!