Recipes/Chestnut and vanilla ice-cream roll

Chestnut and vanilla ice-cream roll

A version of the retro classic arctic roll, this never fails to raise a smile. It combines a chocolate sponge with shop-bought vanilla ice-cream and candied chestnuts. Don’t be put off by the long method, it’s there to guide you for success. Prepare the ice-cream log a day before assembling.

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A traditional Bakewell tart consists of a pastry shell filled with jam and almond cream filling, finished with a layer of icing and a cherry on top. My version here replaces the jam layer with fresh plums for brightness and acidity. A little raising agent in the rich nutty filling lightens the crumb, while the layer of white icing has been replaced by a light dusting of icing sugar. Cut into bars, this is a hand-held, portable cake to take with you on a long drive, to a picnic or to pack into a lunchbox, but it’s equally good plated for dessert and served with cream.