What is Spumoni – and how does it differ from ice cream?

If you're like me, thinking of spumoni conjures up memories of one of the finest frozen treats imaginable—something so much more than a scoop of plain ice cream. It's a flavor experience that makes a single flavor seem almost outdated, showing that three is always better than one.

However, the well-known ice cream flavor isn't the true definition of spumoni. What we typically call spumoni is actually a variation of the classic Italian dessert, which uses the same flavors but doesn't quite match the original texture.

What exactly is Spumoni?

Spumoni is a classic dessert that combines gelato, whipped cream, and delightful mix-ins like candied fruits, nuts, and chocolate bits. The gelato base is made from custard, with a higher ratio of milk to cream and eggs. This mix is churned slowly for a decadently smooth and rich treat.

Whipping cream into gelato gives it a delightfully airy texture. The name comes from the Italian word for foam, spuma. Common mix-ins include candied fruits, chocolate chips or chunks, amaretto cookies, nuts, or any combination of these. Spumoni is often finished with a rich drizzle of chocolate syrup.

This gelato blend is carefully layered into molds, then served either as a cake or sliced into individual pieces. Spumoni is sometimes called a type of semifreddo, which means 'half-cold' or 'half-frozen.'

What are the classic flavors of Spumoni?

The classic spumoni flavors are chocolate, cherry, and pistachio, although some variations may use vanilla instead of chocolate to better reflect the colors of the Italian flag. Italians take great pride in their culinary heritage, and the red, green, and white hues are a source of national pride. 

How does Spumoni differ from Ice Cream?

Spumoni and ice cream differ in five key ways:

Type

Spumoni is made with gelato, which is gently folded with whipped cream to transform it from a light snack into a rich dessert. With its mix-ins and potential toppings, spumoni is a more refined and layered frozen treat. Ice cream, by contrast, is a faster-churned dessert with a higher content of cream and eggs.  

Fat

The gelato in spumoni has less fat and fewer calories, relying more on milk and less on cream and eggs—or sometimes none at all. This is why Italians typically enjoy gelato as a snack, while Americans save ice cream for dessert. 

Churning

Gelato is churned at a slower speed, minimizing the amount of air incorporated. This results in a denser, more flavorful texture compared to ice cream.

Whipped Cream

Spumoni incorporates whipped cream into gelato, giving it a light, airy quality, whereas ice cream is made from a simple churned custard base. 

Mix-Ins

Ice cream may include mix-ins like chunks or bits, but spumoni always contains a mix of fresh or candied fruits, nuts, chocolate or cocoa nibs, and/or cookies folded into its creamy base.

Spumoni vs. Neapolitan

Like spumoni, Neapolitan ice cream is a trio of flavors; three ice cream varieties layered side by side. It includes chocolate, but swaps out cherry and pistachio for strawberry and vanilla.

This combination is more traditionally American, with these flavors chosen for their popularity in the early 20th century. Italian immigrants likely adapted the original molded ice cream recipe to appeal to American tastes. 

Both Neapolitan and spumoni carry Italian names—Neapolitan is inspired by Naples, while spumoni comes from the Italian word for foam. Both are frozen delicacies that remind us you don't have to choose when it comes to enjoying creamy, dairy-based treats.