A tortoni is a frozen dessert that consists of a very rich ice cream made with heavy cream, to which a variety of toppings and additions can be added. Anything from chopped candy bars to diced cherries and small berries can be used as toppings. The dish is traditionally made with chopped nuts such as toasted almonds and frozen to a creamy consistency similar to ice cream. Gelato, an Italian ice cream, is frequently used because of its richer, creamier texture, which contrasts well with the mixed-in toppings. A tortoni can be made fairly easily in a home kitchen by combining regular ice cream with heavy cream.
The dish is said to be named after Tortoni, an Italian café owner in Paris during the nineteenth century. His desserts were of such high quality and renown that this sweet offering has lived on for over a century and bears his name as a tribute to his culinary prowess. Because the creamy texture of Italian gelato complements the mixture of chopped nuts and other added ingredients, it’s frequently used in tortoni.
If gelato isn’t available or someone prefers to use already-made ice cream, mixing heavy cream with regular ice cream is a simple way to make the dish. Any flavor of ice cream will do, but ice cream with a lot of flavor, like dulce de leche or chocolate and caramel, will make an even more decadent treat. Allow the ice cream to soften while heavy cream and powdered sugar are whisked together until stiff peaks form, similar to a simple whipped cream. The softened ice cream is then combined with this and beaten until the mixture is smooth and even creamier than the original ice cream.
To make a tortoni, combine the mixture with any chopped ingredients and fold them together. Chopped almonds and other nuts are traditional, but chopped cherries and other fruits can also be used to make a delicious dessert. Chop up pieces of chocolate, cookies, candy bars, or even marshmallows could be included in a tortoni made for kids. When making a tortoni for adults, add some flavored liqueur to the ice cream and heavy cream mixture to make a delectable adult dessert.