Arctic roll is a British dessert consisting of ice cream wrapped in sponge cake with raspberry reduction. It can be made at home with variations in flavors and fillings, including fresh fruit, jams, and whipped cream. The cake is rolled into a log and served.
An arctic roll is a type of dessert that originated in England and has been sold as a commercial product since the 1960s. The classic arctic roll is a block of ice cream wrapped in a layer of sponge cake, with a raspberry reduction between the ice cream and sponge cake. It enjoys a reputation as an inexpensive yet satisfying dessert and has been imitated both at home and by other commercial companies. Variations on the basic arctic roll include several ice cream varieties, such as raspberry and vanilla swirls, and a selection of flavors for the surrounding sponge cake. The pie’s propensity to melt if not eaten within a certain amount of time at room temperature meant that some improvised home versions had pudding, whipped cream, and even sweetened rice as fillings.
The basis for making a simple arctic roll at home starts with baking a sponge cake. This can be done by mixing flour, eggs and sugar into a batter and then pouring it into a baking pan to bake until set. The cake can be enriched with flavors such as vanilla, cocoa powder or melted chocolate and even the zest of oranges or lemons. After the cake is baked, it can be doused with liqueur or rum or dusted with powdered sugar as it cools.
Next, an authentic arctic roll has a layer of raspberry on the inside surface of the sponge cake, although this really can be any fruit flavor that accompanies the ice cream and cake flavors. A homemade roll can use thin slices of fresh fruit like strawberries or bananas. Another option is to use preserves or jams, such as mixed jams or apricot jam. A less traditional option is to slather the inside with a layer of whipped cream, hazelnut spread, or tempered bittersweet chocolate.
Finally, the inside of the cake is filled with a cylinder of ice cream. This can be store-bought or made at home with an ice cream maker. Although vanilla was used in the original arctic roll, any flavor can be used. Chunks of candy or bits of sponge cake can be stirred into the ice cream to provide a more complex texture. Instead of ice cream, more solid products can also be used, such as thick whipped cream and will not melt at room temperature.
Once the sponge cake has cooled, the ice cream is placed along one edge of the cake. Starting at that edge, the cake is slowly rolled into a log. This completed cylinder can then be cut crosswise and served.
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