Mamma Mia! That's a Semifreddo!

In Italy, people love their frozen desserts almost as much as they love their espresso - and so do we Mamma Mias! We aren't particular about whether it's granita or gelato, as long as it is easy, delicious, and kid-friendly is definitely a plus. This handheld treat is easy to make, doesn't require any special equipment, and is bursting with some of Italy's favorite flavors: nutmeg, lemon, almond, and pistachio! The Amoretto is very nice for the adults, but can be omitted..

• Ready In: 50 mins
• Serves: 12

Ingredients

• For cookies

• 1⁄2 cup butter
• 1  egg, well beaten
• 1⁄3 cup  finely chopped  blanched almond
• 1⁄2 cup granulated sugar
• 1⁄2 tablespoon ground nutmeg
• 1⁄2 tablespoon lemon zest
• 2  tablespoons  almond extract or 2  tablespoons vanilla extract
• 2  cups all-purpose flour
• 2  tablespoons Amaretto

• Additionally for sandwiches

• 1⁄2 cup  chopped pistachios or 1⁄2 cup  almonds
• 1  pint  vanilla gelato

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 325 degrees.
2. Cream the butter until light and fluffy. Add the well beaten egg, blanched almonds, sugar, extract, spices and flour. Mix until the mixture is well combined.
3. On a lightly floured surface roll the almond cookie dough to 1/4 inch thick and cut with round cookie cutters dipped in flour. Place the almond cookies onto a parchment lined baking sheet.
4. Bake the almond cookies at 325 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned.
5. Meanwhile, toast the additional chopped nuts in a nonstick pan over medium heat.
6. When the cookies come out of the oven, spritz or drizzle hot cookies with Amaretto, then allow cookies and nuts to completely cool. Completely. Really. Keep your mitts off of them! :) (This is where the extra 20 minutes of no-work time comes from.).
7. Pour the toasted, chopped nuts onto a plate. Then take one cookie and spread a scoop of gelato (about 1/8 cup, although you can certainly use more if you would like!) onto it and top with another cookie. Roll the sandwich in the toasted nuts so that they stick to the exposed gelato on the edge.
8. You can eat these right away, or place in the freezer, wrapped in plastic wrap, for a yummy treat later. The serving size is entirely dependent on the size you cut your cookies. Remember to cut two for each sandwich.