Festive Holiday Berry Ice-Cream Cake Recipe for Joy

Summers sizzle with sweet surprises, and this scrumptious holiday berry delight ice cream cake delivers pure magic on a plate.

Layers of creamy ice cream blend seamlessly with vibrant berry flavors that dance across your palate.

Luscious textures and rich colors make this dessert a showstopper at any gathering.

Cool, refreshing, and wickedly indulgent, this cake promises to turn heads and delight taste buds.

Each slice tells a story of decadent ingredients and carefully crafted love.

The combination of smooth ice cream and bright berry notes creates a dessert that feels both nostalgic and exciting.

Dive into this delectable creation and let your senses celebrate pure culinary bliss.

Storage Tips for Keeping This Cake Frosty

• Frosty Feast Management
• Smart Stashing: Wrap the cake tightly in double layers of plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn and flavor absorption from other foods.
• Slice and Serve Strategy: Cut individual portions before freezing in sealed containers for quick grab-and-go dessert moments during busy holiday weeks.
• Temperature Transition Tips: Remove the cake from the freezer 5-10 minutes before serving to soften slightly, allowing easier slicing and enhanced flavor release.
• Freshness Window: Keep the holiday berry delight ice-cream cake in the freezer for maximum 7 days to maintain optimal taste and texture quality.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 370 kcal

Servings: 11

What You’ll Use in a Holiday Berry Ice-Cream Cake

• Fruit Cake: A rich, dense cake that provides a sturdy and flavorful foundation for the dessert, choosing a high-quality fruit cake with a good balance of dried fruits and nuts enhances the overall texture and taste.
• Baking Paper: Creates a non-stick surface and helps in easy removal of the cake, ensure it covers both base and sides completely for smooth unmolding.

• Frozen Berries: Adds vibrant color and fresh burst of flavor, select a mix of seasonal berries like raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries for visual appeal and diverse taste.
• Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Serves as a creamy binding agent with a luxurious vanilla flavor, opt for premium ice cream with visible vanilla bean specks for an authentic taste.

• Brandy or Rum: Introduces a warm, sophisticated depth to the dessert, choose a high-quality spirit that complements the cake's rich profile.
• Nutmeg: Provides a warm, aromatic spice that elevates the overall complexity of the dessert, freshly grated nutmeg offers the most intense flavor.
• Citrus Rind: Brings a bright, zesty note that cuts through the richness, use organic citrus for the most potent and pure flavor.
• Chopped Almonds: Adds a delightful crunch and nutty undertone, toasting the almonds beforehand intensifies their flavor.

• Meringue Drops: Creates a light, sweet contrast to the dense cake, homemade meringues offer a more delicate and fresh texture.

Freezer-Friendly Tools for Ice-Cream Cake Assembly

• Springform Pan: 20cm round, removable base for easy cake release.
• Baking Paper: Essential for lining pan base and sides, prevents sticking.
• Sharp Knife: Perfect for slicing fruit cake horizontally into three sections.
• Mixing Bowl: Large enough to blend ice cream with brandy and other ingredients.
• Spatula: Helps mix ingredients evenly and smooth out ice cream layers.
• Freezer-Safe Plate: Needed for serving and storing the ice-cream cake.
• Measuring Spoons: For accurate brandy and spice measurements.

Steps to Layer and Chill a Berry Ice-Cream Cake

Festive Berry Wonderland

• Cake Foundation

Grab a springform pan and make it cake-ready by lining the base and sides with baking paper. Carefully slice a fruit cake into three delicious layers, nestling them perfectly inside the pan.

• Berry Decoration

Gather your frozen berries and create a stunning side design by gently pressing them against the pan’s edges using ice cream as a magical adhesive. Pop the pan into the freezer to set this beautiful berry border.

• Flavor Fusion

In a mixing bowl, transform vanilla bean ice cream into a holiday dream by blending it with a splash of brandy, a whisper of nutmeg, zesty citrus rind, and crunchy chopped almonds. Stir until everything dances together harmoniously.

• Layered Delight

Build your cake like an edible masterpiece, alternating between the spiced ice cream mixture and cake trimmings. Slide the pan into the freezer and let it transform for at least 4 hours or overnight.

• Final Flourish

Carefully transfer your creation to a serving plate. Crown it with remaining berries and delicate meringue drops. Slice and serve this winter wonderland directly from the freezer for maximum deliciousness.

Tips for Clean Slices and Flavor Pops

• Berry Fest Freeze Hack: Swap out traditional fruit cake with your favorite sponge or pound cake for a lighter, more delicate base that still holds up beautifully in this festive dessert.
• Boozy Flavor Boost: Experiment with different liqueurs like Baileys, Amaretto, or Grand Marnier instead of brandy to create unique flavor profiles that match your holiday mood and personal taste preferences.
• Nut Lover's Dream: Replace almonds with crushed pistachios, pecans, or toasted hazelnuts for added crunch and nutty depth that complements the creamy ice cream perfectly.
• Seasonal Berry Swap: Mix and match seasonal berries like blackberries, raspberries, or pomegranate seeds to create a colorful, vibrant dessert that changes with the time of year and local availability.

Ice-Cream Cake Serving Ideas That Spark Joy

• Festive Dessert Centerpiece: Make this holiday berry ice-cream cake the star of your celebration, perfect for impressing guests with its elegant layers and rich flavors.
• Winter Gathering Treat: Serve chilled slices during family gatherings, creating a memorable dessert that combines traditional fruit cake with creamy ice cream and festive berries.
• Elegant Plating Suggestion: Dust the cake with powdered sugar, add a drizzle of chocolate sauce, and garnish with fresh mint leaves for a professional restaurant-style presentation that elevates the dessert's visual appeal.
• Make-Ahead Party Solution: Prepare this cake days in advance, keeping it wrapped in the freezer, which makes it an ideal stress-free dessert option for busy holiday entertaining.

Festive Berry Swirl Ice Cream Cake

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• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 11 1x

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Description

Sweet holiday berry delight ice-cream cake brings festive cheer to winter celebrations. Cool layers of creamy goodness merge with seasonal berries, creating a delectable dessert you’ll savor to the last delightful bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 litre (33.8 fl oz / 1000 ml) good-quality vanilla bean ice-cream
• 800 grams (28.2 oz) square dark fruit cake
• 550 grams (19.4 oz) frozen mixed berries
• 2 tbsps brandy or rum
• 1 ½ tsps finely grated mandarin or orange rind
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• ¼ cup (40 grams / 1.4 oz) dry-roasted almonds, chopped coarsely
• 10 vanilla flavour mini meringue drops

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Grease a 20cm springform pan and line the base and sides with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage.
2. Cake Foundation: Slice the fruit cake into three horizontal layers and arrange them in the prepared pan.
3. Berry Decoration: Press frozen berries against the pan’s interior walls using softened vanilla ice cream as an adhesive, creating a frost-kissed border.
4. Flavor Fusion: In a mixing bowl, combine softened vanilla bean ice cream with brandy, nutmeg, citrus zest, and chopped almonds until thoroughly blended.
5. Layer Assembly: Construct alternating layers of spiced ice cream mixture and crumbled cake trimmings, ensuring even distribution and textural complexity.
6. Freezing Process: Transfer the dessert to the freezer and allow it to set completely for a minimum of four hours or preferably overnight.
7. Presentation: Release the springform pan and transfer the cake to a serving plate, adorning the top with fresh berries and delicate meringue droplets.
8. Serving and Storage: Serve directly from the freezer and preserve any remaining cake by wrapping securely in plastic wrap for up to one week.

Notes

• Prep Ahead Strategy: Complete cake assembly 1-2 days before serving to allow flavor melding and stress-free entertaining.
• Freezing Pro Tip: Ensure freezer temperature remains consistently below -18°C for perfect texture and preventing ice crystal formation.
• Berry Placement Technique: Work quickly when positioning frozen berries to maintain their vibrant color and prevent premature thawing.
• Alcohol Adjustment: Replace brandy with orange liqueur or vanilla extract for family-friendly version without compromising depth of flavor.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 11
• Calories: 370
• Sugar: 32 g
• Sodium: 80 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 47 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg