Recipe Overview
Why you’ll love it: This ice cream terrine is impressively beautiful and very easy to make. Top it with fresh or roasted strawberries, or homemade hot fudge!
How long it takes: 20 minutes to prep, plus extra time to freeze
Equipment you’ll need: loaf pan, baking sheet
Servings: 8
It’s no secret that I love desserts that look fancy but are SO easy to make. One of my favorite recipes is this chocolate tart which is stunningly beautiful but is made with four ingredients and requires no baking.
This ice cream terrine is very similar in nature to that dreamy chocolate tart. It’s so beautiful and unique. It’s not a typical pie or cake and it looks really gorgeous. It’s up to you whether or not you want to tell all your friends how easy it was to make. (I usually do tell them because I want them to try making one, too!)
What is A Terrine?
If you’re unfamiliar with the word “terrine,” you’re probably not alone. It’s typically a word used in reference to a layered meat creation (most often a paté). Terrines are usually served cold. Savory meat or vegetable terrines aren’t really a favorite of mine if I’m being honest, but if you make one with ice cream? Sign me up.
Frosty Ice Cream Terrine
Layers of lusciousness. To make an ice cream terrine, you simply line a loaf pan with parchment paper and then spoon in layers of softened ice cream. Refreeze the ice cream terrine until it’s solidly frozen again, and serve it with a lovely spoonful of fruit or sauce.
Roasted strawberries. For this particular ice cream terrine, I layer creamy vanilla ice cream with strawberry ice cream. To serve my strawberry ice cream terrine, I make a lovely roasted strawberry topping. It’s very summery and makes great use of juicy in-season strawberries.
Make ahead dessert. Another great thing about this strawberry terrine is that you can make it ahead and pull it out of the freezer whenever you’re ready to serve. This is a winning dessert all around.
Versatile. You can make an ice cream terrine with any flavor of ice cream that you like. Make it Neopolitan, with strawberry, chocolate, and vanilla layers. Keep reading for lots more idea.
Cooking Tip
My naturally-flavored strawberry ice cream was very pale in color (hooray for less artificial color!), but for the photos, I wanted the colors to stand out a bit more so you could really see the layers. To achieve this, I stirred a couple drops of pink food coloring into the strawberry ice cream.
About Roasted Strawberries
Like pretty much everything else, when roasted, strawberries intensify in flavor. The natural sugars become slightly caramelized and so irresistible. It might sound unusual at first, but I assure you, they are what is going to take this terrine to the next level. Of course, if you’re rushed, this ice cream terrine is perfect with fresh strawberries, too.
To make roasted strawberries, hull the berries and slice them in half. Toss them with a bit of sweetener to enhance their flavor. Maple syrup or honey work well. Line a rimmed baking pan with parchment paper and spread the berries in a single layer. Roast until the strawberries are soft and juicy. Cool until ready to use.
Alternative Toppings
Fresh strawberries. Hull and slice the strawberries. Toss them with slicing them and just a bit of sugar or honey and let them sit for 20 to 30 minutes. This will allow the berries to macerate slightly and bring out some of the juices, forming a nice sauce.
Hot fudge. Homemade hot fudge is also phenomenal on this terrine!
Recipe Variations
Something else I love is when a recipe is easily adaptable. This one couldn’t be easier to change to suit your wants/needs/cravings/ideas. The options are almost endless but here are a few ideas to get you thinking.
- Peanut butter chocolate terrine. You can’t go wrong with this one. Try a moosetracks/peanut butter cup type ice cream layered with chocolate ice cream. Top with chocolate syrup or warm hot fudge and sprinkle with chopped peanuts. Add a layer of chopped peanuts between the layers if you like.
- Mocha terrine. Layer chocolate ice cream and coffee ice cream for an ice cream version of the coffeeshop favorite. Top with chocolate sauce and cocoa nibs.
- Mint chocolate terrine. Layer mint chocolate chip ice cream with chocolate ice cream. You could top this one with crushed mint chocolate cookies or chopped peppermint patties.
- Double cookie terrine. Layer chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream with cookies and cream ice cream for the cookie monsters in your life. You could also add a couple layers of crushed Oreo cookies in between the ice cream.
- Neapolitan terrine: Get fancy and make your own classic Neapolitan ice cream with chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry ice cream layers.
What would you use to layer into an ice cream terrine? The combinations are really truly endless. Dairy-free ice cream or frozen yogurt are good choices, too.
You can make the terrine a month in advance if you want. Wrap the loaf pan well in plastic wrap, and then foil. If you have a large enough resealable freezer bag, that works great, too. The roasted strawberries can be made ahead and refrigerated for a few days in a covered container.
More Summer Desserts
Ice Cream Terrine with Roasted Strawberries
Ingredients
Ice Cream Terrine
- 4 to 5 cups strawberry ice cream, softened on counter for about 30 minutes
- 4 to 5 cups vanilla ice cream, softened on counter for about 30 minutes
Roasted Strawberries
- 16 ounces strawberries, rinsed and hulled
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup (honey is fine, too)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon fine-grain sea salt
Instructions
- Line a loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving excess hanging out of the pan to use as handles to remove the terrine once it is frozen.
- Spoon each flavor of ice cream into a bowl and stir until somewhat softened and easy to spread.4 to 5 cups strawberry ice cream, softened on counter for about 30 minutes, 4 to 5 cups vanilla ice cream, softened on counter for about 30 minutes
- Layer strawberry ice cream into the bottom of prepared loaf pan (the first layer in will be your top layer when you remove it from the pan). Repeat with vanilla ice cream, and then strawberry, and then vanilla. You want at least three layers, and I wouldn't recommend more than 5. If you want really distinct layers, I recommend freezing each layer for 20 minutes before adding the next layer.
- Cover tightly with plastic wrap or foil and place in freezer until solidly frozen, 3 to 4 hours or overnight.
- Meanwhile, prepare roasted strawberries. Preheat oven to 350ºF. LIne a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Toss strawberries with maple syrup, vanilla, and salt. Spread on prepared baking pan and bake until caramelized and juicy, 28 to 30 minutes, stirring once. Let cool until ready to use.16 ounces strawberries, rinsed and hulled, 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, ⅛ teaspoon fine-grain sea salt
- To serve, remove terrine from the pan by flipping it upside down. Carefully peel off the parchment paper. Slice with a large thin-bladed knife. I usually run hot water over the blade between each slice for clean cuts.
Notes
- Feel free to create your own ice cream terrine. Check the post above for ideas. You can use pretty much any type or flavor of ice cream or frozen yogurt. Add layers of crushed nuts or cookies in between the layers for added excitement.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did You Make This?Share a comment and rating below! I love hearing what you think!
This is a terrine I would eat!
Yes!!! Thanks Denise!