Bombe glacée

A classic French frozen dessert made by layering ice cream and a softer frozen filling in a dome-shaped mold, then unmolding it for serving.

Bombe glacée: A smooth pale pink dome-shaped bombe glacee on a plate with one wedge cut away, showing a pink sorbet shell around a pale vanilla parfait center, nothing on the plate
  • Frozen desserts and sweet beverages
  • France

A bombe glacée takes its name from the round, bomb-like mold it is frozen in. The inside of the chilled mold is lined with a firm layer of ice cream or sorbet, and the center is filled with a contrasting mixture, often a rich, airy parfait made from egg yolks, syrup and whipped cream, sometimes with fruit, nuts or liqueur folded in.

Once frozen solid, the mold is dipped briefly in warm water and the dessert is turned out onto a chilled plate, showing a smooth dome. It is cut into wedges so every slice shows the outer shell and the center. The Italian cassata is a close cousin, built in a similar way with several layers.

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Sources

Written by VanillaGoods in our own words from these sources. Last reviewed October 15, 2026.

  1. Modern Pastry and Plated Dessert Techniques (BC Campus), LibreTexts / BCcampus (Modern Pastry and Plated Dessert Techniques)