Description
Zabaglione is an authentic Italian wine custard made by whisking egg yolks, sugar, and Marsala wine over gentle heat until light and fluffy. This classic dessert is smooth, airy, and perfect served warm over berries, panettone, or cookies, or chilled with whipped cream for a mousse-like treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Custard Ingredients
- 4 large egg yolks
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup Marsala wine (or Vin Santo, Moscato d’Asti)
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Bain-Marie: Fill a medium saucepan with 2 inches of water and bring it to a gentle simmer, making sure it does not boil. Place a copper or heatproof glass bowl on top of the saucepan so that it sits above the water without touching it.
- Whisk Yolks and Sugar: Off heat, vigorously whisk the 4 large egg yolks with 1/4 cup granulated sugar until the mixture becomes pale and thick, about 2 minutes.
- Add Wine and Seasoning: Slowly incorporate 1/4 cup Marsala wine, a pinch of salt, and 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice if using, whisking continuously until fully combined.
- Cook Over Gentle Heat: Set the bowl over the simmering water and whisk constantly for 7 to 10 minutes, until the mixture triples in volume and forms soft peaks. You can test readiness by seeing if a trail left by a spoon holds for at least 8 seconds.
- Serve Immediately: Spoon the warm zabaglione over fresh berries, panettone, or cookies. For a mousse-style dessert, allow the custard to cool slightly, fold in whipped cream, and chill before serving.
Notes
- Using a copper bowl helps achieve the best texture and stability for the custard.
- Continuous whisking once the mixture is on heat is crucial to prevent curdling.
- Experiment with different wines such as Marsala (classic), Vin Santo (deep flavor), or Moscato d’Asti (light and floral) for variation.
- For make-ahead options, chill the zabaglione and serve it with whipped cream or dispense it from a siphon.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
- Calories: 200 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 210 mg
