Showing posts with label Ice Cream. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ice Cream. Show all posts

Friday, 26 September 2025

but before I go … Plant your Sticky Toffee Sauce!

For those who want a plant based Sticky Toffee Sauce here's a recipe that'll do the trick. It's quick and easy and a perfect combination with strawberries and Swedish GlacĂ© – the vegan and dairy free ice cream alternative.


Sticky Toffee Sauce


200ml Elmlea Plant Double Vegan

Alternative cream

40g Flora unsalted plant butter

100g dark soft brown sugar


Mix the ingredients in a saucepan and bring to the boil, then reducing to a medium heat, stirring until thickened – 2 minutes!

It freezes well.


You don't have to use the sauces or praline as an ingredient in the ice cream – any of them are scrumptious as an extra – poured or sprinkled.

By the way … for the freezer store cupboard Swedish GlacĂ© is easily obtainable from supermarkets and in a choice of flavours – vanilla, raspberry and chocolate to name but three. The perfect “go to” dessert product for emergencies!

If you want help identifying here's a photo :



Phew, I hope I've given you some ideas!

Friday, 19 September 2025

The basic ice cream recipe ...

For ease of reference, here's the basic recipe again :


Vanilla ice cream


1 x 397g tin sweetened condensed milk

1 x 600ml double cream

2tsp vanilla bean paste



Put the condensed milk, cream and vanilla into a large mixing bowl and beat with an electric hand whisk until the mixture is quite thick and stiff, like pipeable whipped cream.


You will need 260g of fudge cut into tiny irregular pieces

including the cocoa dust too


Fold the tiny pieces of fudge and the cocoa dust gently through the ice cream so that you achieve a ripple effect with a hidden surprise of fudge!

Spoon the mixture into a lidded freezer-proof containers and freeze for at least 6-8 hours or until firm. You might also want to consider freezing individual portions as well as larger pots, just in case you need an ice cream fix for yourself – as the cook you need to taste!


Bear in mind that you need to take the ice cream out of the freezer at least 15 minutes before serving to allow it to soften.

Here are the photos :

Chocolate Fudge Ice Cream fotos


the tiny pieces of fudge and cocoa

dust, ready to incorporate


the ice cream base and folding in

the fudge and cocoa dust


tiny pots of ice cream – ready for the

freezer


Ta dah!


Never let it be said ...

Chocolate Fudge Ice Cream

Here's the result of messing about and creating a new, no churn ice cream.

It's in two parts, here's the first, the recipe for the fudge – I'd make it ahead :


Chocolate Fudge Squares


Takes 1½ hours/ make 50 pieces


400g dark or milk chocolate, broken into small

even sized pieces

25g butter

397 can condensed milk

100g icing sugar

30g cocoa powder, sifted


Line a 20cm square shallow tin with baking parchment.

Melt the chocolate in a bain-marie. In a non-stick saucepan melt the butter and gently warm the condensed milk, then add the melted chocolate and mix until smooth. Beat in the icing sugar until blended and smooth.

Put the mixture into the prepared tin, spread evenly into the corners, smooth over the top and place in the fridge to set for at least 1 hour. Remove and cut into small squares and dust with cocoa.


Coming next - a photo or two and a few hints and tips …


Tray of block of choc


choc cubes in cocoa


The ice cream on its own is very easy, the only extra prep is to cut your fudge into tiny pieces. Your fudge is already in 2x2cm pieces, cut each piece into four again, preferably on kitchen roll so that you preserve any cocoa dust and you're ready to roll!

Next, the basic ice cream recipe ...

Friday, 12 September 2025

Definitely something different ...

If you've never used sweet white miso before and want to have a go the following two recipes are a great place to start – they are both easy.

To begin, a no-churn ice cream – using sweet white miso paste – to explain, it's a Japanese seasoning – fermented soybeans with salt and koji, the resulting paste is used in savoury and sweet dishes. There are different types of miso the sweeter white version includes rice, barley and a smaller quantity of soybeans.


Here goes :

Sweet white miso ice cream


Makes 1 litre of ice cream


100g sweet white miso paste

397g tin condensed milk

300ml double cream


Combine the miso paste and condensed milk in a bowl, mix well so that it loosens. A tip – put the paste in the bowl first and then add the condensed milk gradually. If it doesn't comply then use your hand whisk until smooth. Add the cream and whisk until it begins to thicken.

Decant into suitable containers – I'd suggest you decide on portion control that suits you, so a mixture of small and medium pots. Remember you can always take out more if you need it! Freeze overnight.

Allow the ice cream to soften for 10 minutes before serving.


If you're a fan of the salted caramel flavour you'll like that sweet and salty “hit” the miso gives.

Moving on to the second recipe ...

Friday, 5 September 2025

Rocky Road - Bits and pieces …

... & hints and tips!


If you're using Sundae pots you want a size of 150ml approximately.

You might think it'll be fiddly filling them – I have a plan!

The neatest and least messy way of decanting the ice cream is to use a disposable piping bag – don't snip the end until it's full. Fold the edge of the bag back over your hand and spoon in the ice cream, when it's full then you can snip the end – it needs to be wide enough to allow the mixture to pass through the opening and then pipe into the Sundae pots!

Alternatively spoon into suitably sized containers with lids of say 4-6 scoops.

Here's a few photos that will help :




I love it when a plan comes together!

P.s. If you're interested, the origin of Rocky Road ice cream is said to have been created in March 1929 by William Dreyer … and his partner Joseph Edy with many variations along the way. After the Wall Street Crash of 1929 Dreyer and Edy gave the flavour its current name “to give folks something to smile about in the midst of the Great Depression”. Alternatively Fentons Creamery claims that William Dreyer based his recipe on a Rocky Road-style ice cream flavour invented by his friend, Fentons' George Farren.

Food for thought – there's a certain symmetry me thinks

Next up … something different?


Before the summer's done …

let's have some fun and do some more “no churn” ice creams!

First up, the ultimate in ice cream – it needs no introduction :


Rocky Road ice cream


100g salted, toasted pecans, finely chopped

50g cocoa powder, sieved

50g mini marshmallows

1 x 397g tin sweetened condensed milk

1 x 600ml double cream

2tsp vanilla bean paste


8 x Sundae pots with lids

or suitably sized containers to split

the ice cream into say 4 – 6 scoops


It's a good idea to salt and toast the pecans the day before – they need to cool!

Heat a small knob of butter, gently, in a pan and when foaming tip in the pecans with a good pinch of sea salt flakes. Stir over a medium heat for 3-4 minutes or until toasted – the delicious aroma will tell you when they are ready – don't leave them! Tip the nuts into a bowl and leave to cool.

On the day – empty the condensed milk into a large mixing bowl and gradually sieve in the cocoa – I use a tiny sieve, tapping the side with a spoon – you have more control (the size of a tea strainer) - use a manual whisk to combine.

Then add the cream and vanilla bean paste and use an electric hand whisk until you get stiff peaks – i.e. stand on their own when lifting the mixing blades from the mixture.


Combine the pecans thoroughly.

Fold in the mini marshmallows gently so that they are covered in the ice cream.


Bits and pieces & hints and tips coming up!


Friday, 4 July 2025

Then there's the ice cream ...

There's only one thing wrong with home-made ice cream you need an ice cream maker – or so they say – there are delicious no-churn versions out there and the following recipe is an example – and easy!



No-churn strawberry ice cream

The recipe will give you 960g


750g/1½lb strawberries

juice of two lemons

1 x 397g condensed milk

300g light brown muscovado sugar


Top the strawberries, cut in half or quarters if large then blitz to a purée, add the lemon juice. Tip the blitzed berries into a large sieve and allow the purée to pass through. As you're passing the strawberries there's no need to hull the berries.

Place the condensed milk and brown sugar into a large mixing bowl and whisk on high for 10 minutes. I used a hand whisk. Eventually the sugar is beaten into the condensed milk and will give you a ribbon effect. Set your timer and have patience – it's worth it. You can help your strawberry pulp through the sieve with the back of a metal spoon. Fold into your sugar and condensed milk and mix until combined. I split the mixture into two boxes. Freeze for at least 6 hours. Remove from the freezer 10 minutes before serving – no longer – it softens very quickly.

If you want a perfect scoop dip the scoop into boiling water and pat dry.


As the cook I think you're entitled to taste the ice cream ahead of serving. I confess I'm not a huge fan as a rule but I was intrigued so I took a teaspoonful as I boxed it – one word - “wow” - I ditched the spoon and took another, just to be sure.



Yum!


Sunday, 16 March 2025

The extra mile – the ice cream!

I always seem to plan my menus with ideas for desserts first!

There's nothing that will serve you better than a home-made ice cream and all my recipes are of the “no-churn” variety. I use the standard vanilla ice-cream base recipe to begin :


Vanilla ice cream


Prep – 5 minutes

Total time – 5 minutes


plus freezing at least 6-8 hours

or until firm


Gives you 1.6 litres of ice cream is equal

to 18 scoops


1 x 397g tin sweetened condensed milk

1 x 600ml double cream

2tsp vanilla bean paste


Put the condensed milk, cream and vanilla into a large mixing bowl and beat with an electric hand whisk until the mixture is quite thick and stiff, then decant into smallish containers.

To serve – remove from the freezer and allow to soften.


Serve with the cake, drizzle and a scoop of ice cream – a great idea for Mother's Day!


Saturday, 15 March 2025

Orange Ripple ice cream

What about an orange ripple ice cream, adding the vanilla ice cream recipe as the base?

I made a double batch of orange syrup that we used for the drizzle – why double? I divided it into half – popped half into the freezer for another day and fridged the other half, ready to turn my basic vanilla ice cream into an orange ripple.


Orange Syrup


400g icing sugar

500ml orange juice (no bits)


Put the sugar and orange juice in a small saucepan and heat gently so that the sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil and then reduce the heat and simmer on a low heat for 20 minutes.

You'll achieve approximately 600ml of syrup – divide into two boxes and freeze one of them. Fridge the other, ready to complete your ice cream.


Here's a few photos …


Whisk your ice cream to a stiffer consistency

thicker ribbons - you're adding syrup which will loosen

the batch


here's the syrup, ready to go


tip the syrup into the ice cream and fold through

gently



here's the orange drizzle ice cream, ready for

the freezer – you can see the vanilla flecks and the

trail of orange syrup running through


What's not to love – a treat in the freezer, ready when you are!


Friday, 13 December 2024

Finally, an ice cream!

It would be rude not to include an ice cream and so here's the old faithful :


Vanilla ice cream


Prep – 5 minutes

Total time – 5 minutes


plus freezing at least 6-8 hours

or until firm


Gives you 1.6 litres of ice cream is equal

to 18 scoops



1 x 397g tin sweetened condensed milk

1 x 600ml double cream

2tsp vanilla bean paste


  1. Put the condensed milk, cream and vanilla into a large mixing bowl and beat with an electric hand whisk until the mixture is quite thick and stiff, like pipeable whipped cream.**


  1. Spoon the mixture into a lidded freezer-proof container and free for at least 6-8 hours or until firm.



** My variation – take a jar of salted caramel sauce (260g) – easily available at most large supermarkets – fold into the mixture to give a marbled effect.


A no-churn ice cream that is delicious and so useful!

Saturday, 1 June 2024

Then there's the ice cream ...

There's only one thing wrong with home-made ice cream you need an ice cream maker – or so they say – there are delicious no-churn versions out there and the following recipe is an example – and easy!


No-churn strawberry ice cream

The recipe will give you 960g


750g/1½lb strawberries

juice of two lemons

1 x 397g condensed milk

300g light brown muscovado sugar


Top the strawberries, cut in half or quarters if large then blitz to a purée, add the lemon juice. Tip the blitzed berries into a large sieve and allow the purée to pass through. As you're passing the strawberries there's no need to hull the berries.

Place the condensed milk and brown sugar into a large mixing bowl and whisk on high for 10 minutes. I used a hand whisk. Eventually the sugar is beaten into the condensed milk and will give you a ribbon effect. Set your timer and have patience – it's worth it. You can help your strawberry pulp through the sieve with the back of a metal spoon. Fold into your sugar and condensed milk and mix until combined. I split the mixture into two boxes. Freeze for at least 6 hours. Remove from the freezer 10 minutes before serving – no longer – it softens very quickly.

If you want a perfect scoop dip the scoop into boiling water and pat dry.


As the cook I think you're entitled to taste the ice cream ahead of serving. I confess I'm not a huge fan as a rule but I was intrigued so I took a teaspoonful as I boxed it – one word - “wow” - I ditched the spoon and took another, just to be sure.


Yum!

Wednesday, 20 September 2023

Bits and pieces & hints and tips

If you're using Sundae pots you want a size of 150ml approximately.

You might think it'll be fiddly filling them – I have a plan!

The neatest and least messy way of decanting the ice cream is to use a disposable piping bag – don't snip the end until it's full. Fold the edge of the bag back over your hand and spoon in the ice cream, when it's full then you can snip the end – it needs to be wide enough to allow the mixture to pass through the opening and then pipe into the Sundae pots!

Alternatively spoon into suitably sized containers with lids of say 4-6 scoops.

Here's a few photos that will help:





If you're interested, the origin of Rocky Road ice cream is said to have been created in March 1929 by William Dreyer … and his partner Joseph Edy with many variations along the way. After the Wall Street Crash of 1929 Dreyer and Edy gave the flavour its current name “to give folks something to smile about in the midst of the Great Depression”. Alternatively Fentons Creamery claims that William Dreyer based his recipe on a Rocky Road-style ice cream flavour invented by his friend, Fentons' George Farren.


Food for thought – there's a certain symmetry me thinks!


Rocky Road ice cream

Here's another idea for a no-churn recipe!


Vanilla ice cream


100g salted, toasted pecans, finely chopped

50g cocoa powder, sieved

50g mini marshmallows

1 x 397g tin sweetened condensed milk

1 x 600ml double cream

2tsp vanilla bean paste


8 x Sundae pots with lids

or suitably sized containers to split

the ice cream into say 4 – 6 scoops


It's a good idea to salt and toast the pecans the day before – they need to cool!

Heat a small knob of butter, gently, in a pan and when foaming tip in the pecans with a pinch of sea salt flakes. Stir over a medium heat for 3-4 minutes or until toasted – the delicious aroma will tell you when they are ready – don't leave them! Tip the nuts into a bowl and leave to cool.

On the day – empty the condensed milk into a large mixing bowl and gradually sieve in the cocoa – I use a tiny sieve, tapping the side with a spoon – you have more control - use a manual whisk to combine.

Then add the cream and vanilla bean paste and use an electric hand whisk until you get stiff peaks – i.e. stand on their own when lifting the mixing blades from the mixture.

Combine the pecans thoroughly.

Fold in the mini marshmallows gently so that they are covered in the ice cream.


Bits and pieces and hints and tips coming up!

Saturday, 5 August 2023

No-churn strawberry ice cream

There's only one thing wrong with home-made ice cream you need an ice cream maker – or so they say – there are delicious no-churn versions out there and the following recipe is easy!


No-churn strawberry ice cream

The recipe will give you 960g


750g/1½lb strawberries

juice of two lemons

1 x 397g condensed milk

300g light brown muscovado sugar


Top the strawberries, cut in half or quarters if large then blitz to a purée, add the lemon juice. Tip the blitzed berries into a large sieve and allow the purée to pass through. As you're passing the strawberries there's no need to hull the berries.

Place the condensed milk and brown sugar into a large mixing bowl and whisk on high for 10 minutes. I used a hand whisk. Eventually the sugar is beaten into the condensed milk and will give you a ribbon effect. Set your timer and have patience – it's worth it. You can help your strawberry pulp through the sieve with the back of a metal spoon. Fold into your sugar and condensed milk and mix until combined. I split the mixture into two boxes. Freeze for at least 6 hours. Remove from the freezer 10 minutes before serving – no longer – it softens very quickly.

If you want a perfect scoop dip the scoop into boiling water and pat dry.


As the cook I think you're entitled to taste the ice cream ahead of serving. I confess I'm not a huge fan as a rule but I was intrigued so I took a teaspoonful as I boxed it – one word - “wow” - I ditched the spoon and took another, just to be sure.


Yum!

Plant your strawberries!

For those who want a plant based Sticky Toffee Sauce here's a recipe that'll do the trick. It's quick and easy and a perfect combination with strawberries and Swedish GlacĂ© – the vegan and dairy free ice cream alternative.


Sticky Toffee Sauce


200ml Elmlea Plant Double Vegan

Alternative cream

40g Flora unsalted plant butter

100g dark soft brown sugar


Mix the ingredients in a saucepan and bring to the boil, then reducing to a medium heat, stirring until thickened – 2 minutes!

It freezes well.

Swedish GlacĂ© is easily obtainable from supermarkets and in a choice of flavours – vanilla, raspberry and chocolate to name but three!

If you want help identifying here's a photo :



Next up … a no-churn strawberry ice cream!

Saturday, 22 July 2023

Speaking of ice cream …

you don't need an ice cream maker – here's a no-churn recipe that I've used for years – imagine my surprise when it made an appearance in July's edition of Waitrose Food Simply Summer Chic!

Vanilla ice cream


Prep – 5 minutes

Total time – 5 minutes


plus freezing at least 6-8 hours

or until firm


Gives you 1.6 litres of ice cream is equal

to 18 scoops


1 x 397g tin sweetened condensed milk

1 x 600ml double cream

2tsp vanilla bean paste


  1. Put the condensed milk, cream and vanilla into a large mixing bowl and beat with an electric hand whisk until the mixture is quite thick and stiff, like pipeable whipped cream.**


  1. Spoon the mixture into a lidded freezer-proof container and free for at least 6-8 hours or until firm – it's a good idea to split the ice cream into say 4 to 6 scoop size of container.


** My variation – make your own Sticky Toffee Sauce or use a jar of shop bought (260g) and fold into the mixture to give a marbled effect.

My tip is take it out of the freezer and let it soften a little before you serve it - with or without the variation it's delicious.

Just in case you should decide to make your own, here's the recipe :


Sticky Toffee Sauce


4oz unsalted butter

8oz soft brown sugar

2oz chopped stem ginger (optional)

10 fl oz double cream (or whipping cream)


Heat together the butter, sugar and ginger. When dissolved add the cream.

Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring.

The stem ginger in this recipe is optional but it makes a good addition when serving the sauce as an accompaniment to nursery puddings and ice cream.

One batch of the recipe produces approximately 539g of the sauce, or, over two portions to fold through ice cream – so it would be a good idea to divide the sauce into two – freeze one portion for next time or for another use. A shop bought sauce is usually 260g per jar.

Another tip - I think you'll find that making your own sauce it is less sweet and really enhances the vanilla ice cream – definitely worth the effort!


Hmm – how about a meringue kiss?

Saturday, 11 February 2023

Reflections recipe - A Vegan Dessert Sauce!


Sticky Toffee Sauce


200ml Elmlea Plant Double Vegan

Alternative cream

40g Flora unsalted plant butter

100g dark soft brown sugar


Mix the ingredients in a saucepan and bring to the boil, then reducing to a medium heat, stirring until thickened – 2 minutes!

It freezes well.

Simple, yet it has all the ingredients to be a hit – can't fail – I hope.

Fast forward … in a word “gobsmacked” - they loved it.

It wasn't rocket science as I'm fond of saying, but it was a great success and a recipe that was quick, easy and I'll use again and again.

If you're stuck for a dessert give it a go anytime – it's not just for Christmas! I used it again for New Year for other members of the family and the reaction was the same.

May be I should call it the “Anytime Sundae”!

Reflections - a Vegan dessert idea – hints and tips!

Your sundae dish should be narrow at the base and wide at the top :


Swedish GlacĂ© is an excellent product – it covers all the bases – vegan, dairy free, lactose free and gluten free!

Here's a photo of the raspberry version – available in vanilla as I used in this recipe and chocolate too.



As for the apples I'd got 6 medium eating apples that I didn't want to go to waste so I quartered ad sliced them, added a sprinkle of brown sugar and a drop of water and cooked them gently on the hob (you could use your oven if it's already in use) and used 3 medium pots to freeze since it's more convenient and less wasteful!

Sticky Toffee Sauce recipe coming up ...

Saturday, 11 June 2022

Speedy sweets …

Everyone has their own food favourites for the holidays. I find it's the whirlwind leading up to the festivities that can turn an organised person into a gibbering idiot!

On that sobering note my next series of stuff concentrates not on the obvious holiday food but ideas for you to make ahead, or have ingredients in your store cupboard so that you can pull together lovely grub quickly and easily – all the separate elements at your finger tips. It doesn't matter whether you're sober or not!

I always seem to begin with ideas for desserts – if you like the other end of a meal – hey, it's as good a place as any.

There's nothing that will serve you better than a home-made ice cream and all my recipes are of the “no-churn” variety. I use the standard vanilla ice-cream base recipe to begin :


Vanilla ice cream


Prep – 5 minutes

Total time – 5 minutes


plus freezing at least 6-8 hours

or until firm


Gives you 1.6 litres of ice cream is equal

to 18 scoops


1 x 397g tin sweetened condensed milk

1 x 600ml double cream

2tsp vanilla bean paste


Put the condensed milk, cream and vanilla into a large mixing bowl and beat with an electric hand whisk until the mixture is quite thick and stiff.


Next up … the syrup to turn into an orange ripple!

I made a double batch of orange syrup – why double? I divided it into half – popped half into the freezer for another day and fridged the other half, ready to turn my basic vanilla ice cream into an orange ripple.


Orange Syrup


400g icing sugar

500ml orange juice (no bits)


Put the sugar and orange juice in a small saucepan and heat gently so that the sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil and then reduce the heat and simmer on a low heat for 20 minutes.

You'll achieve approximately 600ml of syrup – divide into two boxes and freeze one of them. Fridge the other, ready to complete your ice cream.


Here's a few photos …


Whisk your ice cream to a stiffer consistency

thicker ribbons - you're adding syrup which will loosen

the batch


here's the syrup, ready to go


tip the syrup into the ice cream and fold through

gently


here's the orange drizzle ice cream, ready for

the freezer – you can see the vanilla flecks and the

trail of orange syrup running through


Anyone like chocolate sauce with ice cream?

You've made the orange ripple ice cream and it's in the freezer. The following chocolate and orange sauce can be made in minutes. The ingredients are in your fridge and your pantry and it takes only minutes to bring the cream and milk to the boil, add the sugar until dissolved and then tip over the chocolate and orange zest.


Chocolate and orange sauce


120ml double cream

80ml milk

50g caster sugar

225g dark chocolate (70%) broken into small pieces in a large bowl

zest of 1 orange


Put the cream and milk into a saucepan and bring to the boil. Add sugar and stir until dissolved. Remove pan from heat and pour over the chocolate, stir until melted. Add the orange zest, then set aside to cool in serving jug or if you'd prefer it warm, pour over a portion of ice cream.


I'd suggest serving the ice cream and sauce with fresh orange segments. You could add an extra element and crush amaretti biscuits and sprinkle over the top – another excellent store cupboard stand by.

Here it is :



Resourceful and creative desserts


Here's my antedote to trifle! For me it's up there with sago and semolina – horrid! I appreciate that trifle has “grown up” since the 1950s – back then it was tinned fruit immersed in jelly from a box, the inevitable Birds Custard topped off with synthetic cream – and decorated with hundreds and thousands – sprinkles I think they are called these days.

If you're like me then this could be the answer :


Sticky Toffee Orange


Make a cake – a cake that will freeze well – a sticky toffee loaf cake

Use as a cake or slice (1.5cm) and cut into small cubes –

place in a sundae dish – warm the cake if you wish


Make a toffee sauce – one that will freeze

Use the sauce warmed to drizzle over the cake or over ice cream


Chop walnuts, add a knob of butter to a frying

pan, sprinkle with sea salt flakes

Use to sprinkle over the cake and toffee sauce or

add to the sauce poured over ice cream


Segment a large navel orange and reserve the juice too


Stand by for the recipes and the photos!


The cake


200g pitted dates, roughly chopped

1 tsp of bicarbonate of soda

200ml boiling water

80g unsalted butter, softened

150g soft brown sugar

2 large eggs

180g self-raising flour


Pre-heat your oven 160fan/180c/Gas 4. You'll need a loaf tin – 24x10cms/9½x5¼” approximately - you can grease the tin or use a loaf liner – much more convenient!

Place the chopped dates in a mixing bowl, sprinkle over the bicarb and then the boiling water. Leave to stand for 10 minutes then blitz in a food processor to a rough purée.

Using a hand mixer or elbow grease if you prefer, cream the butter and sugar until thick and smooth. Add the eggs one at a time and then follow gradually with the flour, finally add the date mixture. Pour into the loaf tin and bake for 45 minutes or until firm. Allow to cool.


Toffee Sauce


100g soft brown sugar

200ml double cream

½ tsp vanilla bean paste

40g unsalted butter


Mix the ingredients in a saucepan and bring to the boil, stirring over a medium heat until thickened – 2 minutes.

Both the cake and the sauce can be frozen.


The Walnuts


100g walnuts, chopped roughly

pinch of sea salt flakes

knob of unsalted butter


Melt the butter in a medium frying pan until it foams. Tip in the walnuts and add the sea salt flakes. Stir them for 3-4 minutes until toasted. Tip the nuts into a bowl and leave to cool.


How to segment an orange …


I really do need to get out more!

In my defence I love oranges – what I don't love is the pith and tough outer membrane around each segment.

There is only one way I can describe this procedure and that is by photo :

You'll need a serrated knife – I use a bread knife. Top and tail your orange and then follow the shape of the orange with the knife and peel away a section at a time. Take your time – you should finish up with this :



Hold the orange in your left hand and using the serrated knife – very carefully – cut along the inside of the white membrane of the segment - I start on the left hand side – you can see the white in the photo - repeat on the right hand side. Repeat until you finish with perfect segments and the discarded membranes, like this :






You should get orange juice too, reserve and then drizzle over the cubed sticky toffee cake.

P.s. You'll get 10 segments from a large orange.