A delicate floral grown up apricot ice cream sundae, flavoured with lavender, topped with crunchy toasted “sprinkles”
Ed and I are massive ice cream fans. It is in our genes. Both our mothers love ice cream, and one of Ed’s sisters always has a selection in her freezer.
As a child I remember longing for the magnificent, totally over the top, over-indulgent and over-sized ice cream sundae portrayed on a poster in the local Wimpy Bar. Of course, when it came it was a massive disappointment. Smaller then I had been dreaming of – the lacklustre squirt of cream an apology for the towering swirls on the poster, and the thin dull red sauce in no way compared to the lashing of bright red strawberry sauce I’d been expecting. Even then I appreciated that it was probably a waste of money, as well as a waste of an eating opportunity. (The lessons about representative food photography were stored for future reference).
This spring ice cream makers Häagen-Dazs have launched their Little Gardens limited edition range with two flavours, Apricot Lavender and Lychee Raspberry Rose, both only available from Liberty London. The flavours are the perfect delicate combination of fruit and floral, and are sold in very pretty tubs indeed.
On a sunny day the ideal solution would be to pop into Liberty’s, buy a tub and go straight to the park or garden square and share with a friend, but this is April in the UK, and anyone sensible would not leave the house for more than half an hour without an umbrella, however blue the skies!
To cater for the vagaries of the English weather, and to indulge my love of ice cream, I’ve created a very simple, but still indulgent, ice cream Sundae using the Apricot Lavender ice cream. Soft poached apricots with a hot syrupy lavender sauce contrast with the cold ice cream, and traditional sprinkles are replaced by much more grown up toasted oats and seeds. All the fixings and indulgence of a traditional ice cream sundae – fruit, hot sauce and sprinkles, but so much more sophisticated.
A quick tip for any aspiring to be the hostess with the mostess, and to make serving ice cream a breeze is to scoop it in advance. Take the tub out of the freezer and stand on the counter for 5 minutes to soften. Cover a chopping board or baking tray with parchment paper, scoop ice cream onto the paper and refreeze, ready for serving later. Simple!
If you love ice cream sundaes you may like my FroYo Breakfast Sundae with fruit compote and granola.
Roasted apricot & lavender Ice cream sundae with toasted seeds
Ingredients
- 1 440g can Apricot halves in syrup
- 1/2 tsp edible lavender flowers
- 4 scoops Apricot and Lavender ice cream
- 1 tsp oats
- 1 tsp sunflower seeds
- 1 tsp pumpkin seeds
- 1 tsp flaked almonds
Instructions
- Pour the can of apricots into an oven proof dish, sprinkle the lavender over. Bake at 180C / 350F / Gas 4 for about 20 - 30mins until the apricots are meltingly soft and the juice has thickened to a thick syrup.
- Whilst the apricots are cooking scoop, then refreeze the ice cream.
- Place the oats, seeds and almonds into a frying pan, and dry fry over a gentle hear, stirring frequently until the almonds are golden brown and the seeds have started to pop.
- Serve the hot apricots and syrup over the ice cream topped with the toasted seeds.
The Häagen-Dazs Little Gardens range is available exclusively at Liberty London (Regent Street, W1B 5AH) at an RRP of £5.95. They are available from April 11th for a limited period, while stocks last.
If you love Häagen-Dazs, you make also like there recipes from fellow bloggers
- Lucy’s apricot almond & frangipane tart with ice cream
- Urvashi’s french toast with ice cream
- Sarah’s chocolate cookie cups with coffee ice cream
Roasted apricot & lavender ice cream sundae commissioned by Häagen-Dazs, all opinions our own.
Dean of Little Steps
That looks like heaven in a cup! Will hunt this flavours down the next time we’re in the supermarket :)
Helen
It was delicious! Neither pot lasted us very long.
Nicky
I’m dying to try the lychee flavour! Wish I didn’t live so far away from London. The need to stock it in Manchester!
Love the recipe Helen – a good excuse to have ice cream for breakfast if you ask me :-)
Helen
Any excuse. Those two tubs did not last long at all.
Urvashi Roe
So pretty. I too used to lust after that Wimpey Knickerbocker Glory! And when I actually was allowed it I was so terribly sick!
Helen
It was so disappointing. I far prefer my version!
Ceri @Natural Kitchen Adventures
I adore Ice-cream. I think its one of very few dishes that has to be the real deal for me and a healthier version doesn’t cut it (though should be enjoyed for its own individual taste). I love apricots too, and will be amazing when the fresh ones are in season to enjoy with ice-cream! Oh yes!!
Helen
Love apricots, and especially a really good quality apricot jam.
Lucy
Heavenly! Loving those roasted apricots, I would never have thought of roasting the ones from a can but I must try it asap!
Helen
Always keep a can for roasting – they are lovely with a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Ren Behan
A lovely riff on a sundae – love the toppings and the flavours sound divine.
Helen
We’ve been using the toasted seeds again and again on ice cream.
Tori Gabriel
I love ice cream too and I read this post with disappointment. I saw the flavours and instantly thought “huh, bet they are only available in the States.” When I read you are in the UK too I got really excited (probably more than I should over ice cream). I will definitely be on the lookout for these new flavours.
Helen
They were really lovely. Although this recipe would be great with vanilla ice cream too.
Kara
I have never tried to make my own ice cream, this looks delicious
Helen
Homemade ice cream is fairly easy, I do like jazzing up shop bought however.
Joanna
This looks delicious I like the Idea of the new Haagen Daaz flavours definitely something a bit different.
Helen
They are both lovely – delicate and floral.
Rachel
I can usually give or take ice cream, it is never a thing I want, until I saw both of these and now I want to try them both plus your recipe!
Helen
They are both delicious Rachel. Go to Libertys and buy some.
Rudolph
Floral ice-creams sound positively Georgian. Nice sundae too.
Helen
They do rather, the were really good. Worth getting some if you are in London.
Phillip Stevenson
I bet that tastes gorgeous! Where did you get your lavender from?
Helen
You need to be careful with lavender as not all taste good – I used one from Barts spices.
Jenny
Those are such interesting sounding flavours. Such a shame I won’t be able to get hold of any. Too far to London!
Helen
That is such a shame, they were really delicious.
Kerry Norris
This looks amazing. Such a unique flavour combination. I’d definetly be a good hostess serving this. X
Helen
Both the ice creams really are lovely.
Fi Ni Neachtain
What a delicious looking dessert! I’d love to try the new HD flavours, sadly I’m nowhere near Libertys. Your food styling and photography is beautiful.
Helen
Thanks Fi, ice cream is horrible to take photos of as you need to work so fast.
Grant R
This looks delicious and fresh. I’m passing this over to my Mrs. She loves apricot and we all love ice cream :)
Helen
She has great taste!
susan furnell
looks amazing – can’t wait to get the icecream and try it
Helen
It is lovely Sue! We’ve finished our samples sadly.
Ana De- Jesus
I love the sound of apricot and lavender together and its a great ice cream combination. Sounds delicious.
Helen
it was divine together. So delicious.