Cherry and vanilla ice cream cake

STEP 1

Combine the pitted cherries, sugar and ¼ cup (60ml) water in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 mins or until the cherry is tender. Set aside to cool completely.

STEP 2

Place cherry mixture in a blender and blend until smooth. Divide the ice cream evenly into 2 portions. Reserve 1 portion in the freezer.

STEP 3

Add cherry puree to the remaining ice cream portion and gently fold to combine. Place in the freezer.

STEP 4

Grease and line a 10cm x 24cm (base measurement) loaf pan with 2 layers of plastic wrap, allowing the 2 long sides to overhang. Spoon half the reserved vanilla ice cream portion over the base of the prepared pan. Smooth the surface. Place in the freezer for 20 mins or until firm.

STEP 5

Spoon half the cherry ice cream over vanilla ice cream in the pan. Smooth the surface. Freeze for 20 mins or until firm.

STEP 6

Use a large serrated knife to split the cake horizontally. Cut 1 cake layer into a 11cm x 25cm rectangle. Spread with half the jam. Place, jam-side down, over the cherry ice cream in the pan. Spoon the remaining vanilla ice cream over the cake and smooth the surface. Freeze for 20 mins or until firm.

STEP 7

Spoon the remaining cherry ice cream over the vanilla ice cream in the pan. Smooth the surface. Cut the remaining cake into a 12cm x 26cm rectangle and spread with the remaining jam. Place, jam-side down, over the cherry ice cream in the pan. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze for 6 hours or overnight or until firm.

STEP 8

Meanwhile, to make the mini meringues, preheat oven to 100°C. Line a baking tray with baking paper. Use an electric mixer to whisk the egg white in a clean, dry bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually add the sugar, 1 tbs at a time, whisking well after each addition until the sugar completely dissolves. Use a small pastry brush to brush lines of food colouring on the inside of a piping bag fitted with a 5mm fluted nozzle. Transfer the meringue mixture to the prepared piping bag. Pipe 2cm-round meringues onto the lined tray.

STEP 9

Bake for 1 hour or until dry to the touch. Turn oven off. Leave meringues in the oven, with the door ajar, for 1 hour to cool completely.

STEP 10

Place a serving platter in the freezer for 10 mins to chill. Turn the cake onto the platter. Remove plastic wrap. Top with the meringues, frozen cherries and strawberries. Cut into slices to serve.

Time saver: Use Coles Vanilla or Raspberry Flavoured Meringue Kisses to decorate the cake instead of making the mini meringues.