How to Make Zabaglione: The Magical Italian Dessert You Never Knew You Needed
Updated: Jun. 16, 2020Every editorial product is independently selected, though we may be compensated or receive an affiliate commission if you buy something through our links.
Dessert doesn't get any easier than zabaglione, a light and boozy custard that's perfect for summer fruit.
If you’ve never heard of zabaglione, you’re missing out. Seriously! This light and slightly boozy custard is super simple to make, and it’s a perfect complement for summer fruit. It’s the ultimate no-bake dessert. All you need is a pot of boiling water and a whisk to pull it off, and it’s ready in less than ten minutes.
What Is Zabaglione?
Zabaglione is the Italian version of sabayon, a custardy dessert sauce made with egg yolks, sugar and wine. While it’s traditionally made with marsala, you can change up the wine depending on what fruit you have on hand. ( It’s a great way to use up leftover Champagne!) Choose sparkling wines for light fruits like fresh strawberries, or a dry white like sauvignon blanc to pair with summer melons. You can even use liquors like rum, which would pair well with pineapple or something like limoncello to go along with cherries.
Don’t worry; you can still make zabaglione if you’re avoiding alcohol or serving dessert for children. Use a non-alcoholic sparkling cider with a drop of lemon juice to balance out the sweetness.
Sabayon vs. Zabaglione: What’s the Difference?
These two desserts are essentially the same, with one critical difference. Sabayon is made with any alcohol—usually wines or sparkling wines, but it’s fun to make it with liquors and liqueurs, too. Zabaglione, on the other hand, is a traditional Italian version of sabayon that’s always made with marsala.
How to Make Zabaglione
It’s easy to whip up zabaglione without a recipe. You can serve it with any fruit, and the recipe can be customized for whatever wine or liquor you have on hand.
The traditional ratio is to use a half eggshell of white sugar and wine for every egg yolk, which equates to about four teaspoons each. So, if you’re making six servings, you’ll want to use three egg yolks and 1/4 cup each sugar and wine. Feel free to adjust the sugar up or down, depending on flavor preference.
From there, grab a heat-proof bowl (we like these Pyrex bowls) and beat the sugar and egg yolks together until they turn a pale yellow color. Add the wine and a pinch of kosher salt and place the bowl over a saucepan with barely simmering water. The bottom of the bowl should not touch the water. Whisk continuously until the custard becomes stiff and is two to three times its original size. The mixture should be about 160°F and coat the back of a spoon.
Remove the zabaglione from the heat and serve it immediately. Pile your favorite fruit into a glass or bowl and top it with the warm zabaglione, perhaps garnishing the dish with a few pieces of mint or shaved chocolate.
Tips to Making the Perfect Zabaglione
This dessert is simple, but there are a few tricks to make it even easier.
- Whisk in a figure-eight motion. This movement not only helps your arm from falling off, but it also creates more bubbles inside the custard, leading to a lighter, frothier mixture. If you’re not in the mood for a workout, use a hand mixer with a whisk attachment instead.
- Don’t stop whisking once you start. Letting the mixture sit on the bottom of the bowl can lead to scrambled eggs, which is not exactly the light, luscious texture we’re going for. If you have to take a break, remove the bowl from the saucepan first.
- Make it just before serving. There is no good way to save zabaglione, so you’ll want to make it just before serving. If you do end up with leftovers, place the bowl over an ice bath and whisk until the zabaglione is cooled. You can fold the leftovers with whipped cream or room-temperature mascarpone and transfer it to the freezer for an ice cream-like treat.
The Best Fruit for Zabaglione
Any fresh fruit is a good target for zabaglione. Combining raspberries, blueberries and blackberries for a mixed berry effect is an excellent choice, as are sliced strawberries. Any stone fruit works well with zabaglione, too, from peaches and nectarines to cherries and apricots. If you’re using tart fruits like blood oranges or Meyer lemons, macerate the fruit with sugar before adding the custard to amp up the sweet vibes.
Rhubarb Tart
Bing Cherry-Amaretti Fool
When Bing cherries are in season, I make this fruity custard-style fool. The sweet cherries and whipped cream balance perfectly with the sour cream. —Mary Ann Lee, Clifton Park, New York
Grilled Angel Food Cake with Strawberries
One night I goofed, accidentally using the balsamic butter I save for grilling chicken on my pound cake. What a delicious mistake that my entire family loved! For a patriotic look, add a drizzle of blueberry syrup. —Tammy Hathaway, Freeman Twp, Maine
Pineapple RumChata Shortcakes
This deliciously different dessert is made in the slow cooker instead of in the oven. When done, add final touches to the cooled pineapple shortcake jars and serve. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Coconut-Lemon Ice Cream Cake
This lemon ice cream cake is a cool treat my family loves anytime, but we find it especially refreshing on a hot summer day. The cream of coconut and lemon juice make a delicious combo, and the streusel adds a nice crunch. You can substitute any crunchy sugar, lemon or coconut cookie in place of the shortbread, as long as each cookie is about 2 inches. —Janet Gill, Canton, Ohio
Strawberry-Rhubarb Upside-Down Cake
I prepare this colorful dessert quite often in the late spring or summer when fresh rhubarb is abundant. I make this rhubarb cake with cake mix and take it to church potlucks. People actually line up for a piece. —Bonnie Krogman, Thompson Falls, Montana
Peach and Berry Cobbler
This is one of my favorite summer recipes, as it features peaches and berries that are in season. But it's just as delicious with frozen fruit any time of the year. The quick biscuit topping brings it all together. —Lauren Knoelke, Des Moines, Iowa
Pina Colada Icebox Cake
This icebox cake has all of the flavors of a pina colada. It takes just one bite to escape to a tropical island! —Rachel Lewis, Danville, Virginia
Strawberry Rhubarb Cream
A friend gave me this recipe a long time ago. It’s rich and creamy yet refreshing. I make this often in early summer when rhubarb is readily available. —Norma DesRoches, Warwick, Rhode Island
Homemade Cherry Crisp
Our family loves this pretty, tasty dessert. It uses convenient pie filling, so you can make it in no time—and it takes mere minutes to heat in the microwave. —Laurie Todd, Columbus, Mississippi
Lemon Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
I won a baking contest at Purdue University with this recipe for lemon bars with cream cheese frosting. I think you’ll love the dreamy topping. —Michael Hunter, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Strawberry Lemon Trifle
This refreshingly fruity dessert is one of our favorites. It looks so beautiful layered in a glass bowl that people will think you fussed. The secret is starting with a purchased angel food cake. —Lynn Marie Frucci, Pullman, Washington
Cranberry Apple Crisp
Apple cranberry crisp is a wonderful dessert for fall, when both cranberries and apples are in season. The fruits are quite compatible in flavor and color, and they help make any table look festive and inviting. —Martha Sue Stroud, Clarksville, Texas
Rustic Orange-Rhubarb Tart
This rustic rhubarb and orange tart is the perfect light dessert. We love it with fresh rhubarb in the spring, but it also tastes fantastic with frozen fruit. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
No-Churn Blueberry Graham Cracker Ice Cream
This sweet and creamy no-churn ice cream features a fresh blueberry jam swirl and graham cracker pieces. You can use raspberries instead of the blueberries for a different berry flavor. —Heather King, Frostburg, Maryland
Raspberry Patch Crumb Bars
To give these fresh, fruity bars even more crunch, add a sprinkling of nuts to the yummy crumb topping. Everyone will want to indulge. —Leanna M. Thorne, Lakewood, Colorado
Pineapple Coconut Tassies
These cookies may sound and look fancy, but they're rather easy to make Their simplicity makes them an ideal choice for baking with children. My granddaughter enjoys helping me measure the ingredients. Children also can help shape the dough into balls, and then you can finish them together. —Connie Shuff, York, Pennsylvania
Raspberry Cake
Jazz up plain cake with raspberry gelatin and frozen berries. Spread with a light, fruity whipped topping (or this whipped topping substitute), the festive results make a cool and refreshing dessert. —Marion Anderson, Dalton, Minnesota
Blueberry Zucchini Squares
I saw a bar recipe on a box of muffin mix using apple and lemon zest. I tried it from scratch with shredded zucchini and fresh blueberries instead. It’s a tasty combo. —Shelly Bevington, Hermiston, Oregon
Coconut Milk Strawberry-Banana Pops
These four-ingredient freezer pops are a delicious way to use up a pint of fresh strawberries. You'll love the hint of tropical flavor, thanks to the coconut milk. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Lemon-Lime Bars
This easy lime bar recipe is a dessert that will wow your guests. I baked these bars for a luncheon on a hot summer day. A gentleman made his way to the kitchen to compliment the cook who made them. —Holly Wilkins, Lake Elmore, Vermont
Roasted Strawberry Sheet Cake
My Grandma Gigi loved summer berry cakes. Almost any time I’d call her during the warmer months, she’d invite me over to taste her latest masterpiece. This cake is a tribute to her. —Kristin Bowers, Rancho Palos Verdes, California
Peach Crisp Parfait Pops
My little ones love fruit crisps and Popsicles. I created a healthy and delicious treat that combines the two. For a sweet addition, use cinnamon sticks in place of the pop sticks. —Carmell Childs, Ferron, Utah
Skillet Blueberry Slump
My mother-in-law made a slump of wild blueberries with dumplings and served it warm with a pitcher of farm cream. We’ve been enjoying slump desserts for 60 years. —Eleanore Ebeling, Brewster, Minnesota
Iva's Peach Cobbler
My mother received this peach cobbler recipe from a friend of hers many years ago, and fortunately she shared it with me. Boise is situated right between two large fruit-producing areas in our state, so peaches are plentiful in the summer. —Ruby Ewart, Boise, Idaho
Cherry-Chocolate Pudgy Pie
Here’s an ooey-gooey treat that’s just right for campfires and cookouts. —Josh Carter, Birmingham, Alabama
Grilled Stone Fruits with Balsamic Syrup
Get ready to experience another side of stone fruits. Hot off the rack, these grilled nectarines practically melt in your mouth. —Sonya Labbe, West Hollywood, California
Blueberry Angel Dessert
Make the most of angel food cake, pie filling and whipped topping by creating this light impressive dessert that doesn't keep you in the kitchen for hours. It's the perfect way to end a summer meal. —Carol Johnson, Tyler, Texas
Sonoran Sunset Watermelon Ice
If you didn’t think watermelon and cilantro could go together in a dessert, this recipe will give you a pleasant surprise! Sprinkle pomegranate seeds and a sprig of cilantro on top for extra flair. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota
Lemon Ginger Icebox Cake
Everyone searches for grand desserts that have easy ingredients and minimal effort. My lemony ginger icebox cake is the answer. It’s a holiday lifesaver. —Suzanne Banfield, Basking Ridge, New Jersey
Triple Fruit Freeze
These pops won't turn your tongue blue or neon green like many store-bought pops because they're made with fresh grapes, blueberries and kiwifruit. —Colleen Ludovice, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Strawberry-Lime Bars
Our family loves fresh strawberries, so I look for different ways to use them. This tempting, yummy dessert has sweet strawberries, tart lime and salty pretzels. —Alexandra Barnett, Forest, Virginia
Blueberry Graham Dessert
When you're short on time but long for cheesecake, try this fruity dessert. Ricotta and cream cheeses give every bit as much flavor as cheesecake without the effort. Instead of making individual servings, you could layer the ingredients in a glass serving bowl. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Lemon Whirligigs with Raspberries
Golden whirligigs with a tart lemon flavor float on a ruby raspberry sauce in this delectable dessert. I love serving it to guests. My children also like it made with blackberries. —Vicki Ayres, Wappingers Falls, New York
Strawberry Ice Cream Charlotte
My family loves ice cream cake, so they were delighted when I first presented this dessert. It's light, delicious and has a festive presentation. —Scarlett Elrod, Newman, Georgia
Summer Blackberry Cobbler
My husband is from Alabama, so I like to treat him to classic Southern desserts. This cobbler is a must-have for us in the summer. —Kimberly Danek Pinkson, San Anselmo, California
Grapefruit, Lime & Mint Yogurt Parfait
Tart grapefruit and lime are balanced with a bit of honey in this cool and easy parfait. —Lois Enger, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Strawberry-Rhubarb Flip Cake
My friend Dave always brought two strawberry rhubarb cakes to work to celebrate his birthday. He’d use up rhubarb growing in the yard and treat his co-workers. —Charlene Schwartz, Maple Plain, Minnesota
Blueberry Buckle with Lemon Sauce
This recipe is a family favorite, served warm as dessert, plain or with a scoop of ice cream. My family also likes it cold as a coffee cake. But the lemon sauce topping makes this traditional dessert a little different, enhancing the flavor of the blueberries. —Maureen Carr, Carman, Manitoba
Strawberry Cheesecake Trifle
For a dessert that looks as great as it tastes, this one can't be beat! Layers of rich pound cake, luscious cream and sweet strawberries make this treat very inviting. —Marnie Stoughton, Glenburnie, Ontario
Summer Dessert Pizza
My family enjoys this dessert pizza recipe anytime of the year, but it's especially refreshing during the hot months. You can use whatever fruits are in season. —Ida Ruth Wenger, Harrisonburg, Virginia
Cherry-Peach Dumplings
You can make this fruity dessert on your stovetop, but to really impress your guests, simmer it in an electric skillet right at the dinner table. There’s no more convenient way to enjoy the fruits of the season. —Patricia Frerk, Syracuse, New York
Lemon Sheet Cake
Lemon pie filling lends a splash of citrus flavor to convenient cake mix, and a rich cream cheese frosting gives it sweetness. My family likes this lemon sheet cake cold, so I cut it into squares and freeze before serving. —Alyce Dubisar, North Bend, Oregon
Strawberry Bliss
You'll love this homemade puff pastry crust topped with a soft-set pudding layer that has a hint of strawberry flavor. This dessert needs to chill for at least an hour, so it's a fabulous make-ahead dish. —Candace Richter, Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Rhubarb Mallow Cobbler
My mom used to make this cobbler every year when I was growing up. Now we take fresh rhubarb to my son in Texas so he can share this recipe with his family. —Judy Kay Warwick, Webster City, Iowa
Raspberry Custard Kuchen
Back where I grew up in Wisconsin, people have been baking this German treat for generations. We love it for breakfast or as a special dessert. It's no fuss to fix and impressive to serve. —Virginia Arndt, Sequim, WashingtonPopular Videos
