The ultimate prepare ahead desert - icecream

The time of the year when preparing a fabulous desert the day before is such an asset is now - Christmas time when we seem to have so much to do and so little time to do it. I always find that no matter what happens when it comes to hosting family meals, if you have a fabulous desert hidden away that you can bring out when the time is right, then all is forgiven and forgotten. And what can be more fabuolus than pre-rolled balls of homemade plum icecream served in an icebowl you also made several days before, to accompany a white chocolate cheesecake - you guessed it - made prior. Its the classic, “here’s one I prepared earlier” scenario.

Like many of us, families are more complex and complictated these days and as some of ours were going to be celebrating actual Christmas Day elsewhere, we took the opportunity to get together a little earlier to see the kids and share pressies. Our orchard has matured enough now that we were able to sit under the trees and enjoy the fresh air and shade - a special time.

I have a couple of versions of this recipe depending on the flavouring used but I’ll start with the one in the picture. I already had pureed plum from the previous season in the freezer. I can’t remember the name of the plum just now but it is quite a strong black doris type flavour. Delicious. Just right to go with the more subtle white chocolate cheesecake. This amount makes a lot of icecream

Homemade Icecream recipe

Makes about 1-2 litres.

Ingredients.

4 eggs separated

1 cups sifted icing sugar

300 mls cream, whipped

2-3 cups of pureed plums or other fruit of your choice to taste.

Method.

1.       Beat the egg whites like you are making a meringue – until soft peaks form, then add the icing sugar a little bit at a time until it is nice and still. Carefully transfer into another large bowl and keep cool while you whip the cream.

2.       Beat the cream.

3.       Using an egg beater or whisk, whisk the egg yolks and add your flavouring to the egg yolk until well mixed in.

4.       Gently fold all together, put into whatever container you are using , cover and freeze.

You don’t really need to do anything else to it - but it will save time if you can soften it slightly and roll it into serving portions before hand. Just pop straight back into the freezer and then take straight to the table.