Classic Arctic roll

Follow our step-by-step guide to this retro frozen dessert of vanilla ice cream wrapped in a light sponge cake, with homemade strawberry jam

Prep:35 mins
Cook:20 mins
plus freezing

Serves 8
More effort

Nutrition per serving

kcal 398
fat 14g
saturates 7g
carbs 62g
sugars 53g
fibre 1g
protein 6g
salt 0.2g

Ingredients

2 eggs, separated
50g icing sugar
1 vanilla pod, seeds only
150ml double cream
200g strawberries, quartered, plus a few extra for decoration
juice ½ lemon
200g golden caster sugar
knob of butter, for greasing
3 eggs
100g golden caster sugar, plus extra for dusting
100g plain flour
½ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp vanilla extract

Tip

Trim to fit

Don’t worry if the ice cream block won’t quite fit into the sponge – just place it onto a chopping board and shave off the excess with a sharp knife.

Try different flavours

Strawberry jam and vanilla ice cream is the classic combination, but give your roll a twist by changing the jam or the ice cream. Try chocolate ice cream, chocolate hazelnut spread and a chocolate Swiss roll sponge. Or take your cue from the Lamington, an Australian dessert, by using raspberry jam and covering the finished roll in a thin layer of dark chocolate sauce, then a generous sprinkling of desiccated coconut.

Take some shortcuts

We've shown you how to make all three elements of the Arctic roll from scratch. However, if you’re short of time, or you prefer not to eat raw eggs, you can use ready-made ice cream instead and buy the jam too.

Method

To make the ice cream, whisk the egg whites in a bowl with an electric whisk until stiff. In another bowl, whisk the yolks, icing sugar and vanilla seeds until pale and billowy. In a third bowl, whip the double cream until holding its shape.
Fold the yolk mixture into the cream, then fold in the egg whites. Pour into a 900g loaf tin lined with a sheet of baking parchment bigger than you’ll need – this will help you later. Freeze for 2 hrs.
Remove the ice cream from the freezer and tin when it feels set but soft. Use a spatula to shape the mixture into a rough sausage shape, then use the parchment to roll the mixture tightly together into a cylinder about 35cm in length.
Twist the ends of the baking parchment like a cracker and return to the freezer for a further 1 hr.
To make the jam, first put a saucer in the freezer. Put the strawberries, lemon juice and sugar in a heavy- based saucepan over a high heat. Bring to the boil, stirring occasionally. Boil rapidly for 5 mins, then take off the heat.
Put 1/4 tsp of the jam onto the cold saucer – if it wrinkles when pushed with your finger, the jam is ready. If it’s still runny, return it to the heat and boil again for another 2-3 mins, then test again. Once the jam is set, leave it to cool.
Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Line a 24 x 32cm Swiss roll tin with baking parchment (with plenty of excess) and grease well. Whisk the eggs and sugar together with an electric hand whisk for 2-3 mins or until thickened and pale.
Fold the flour, baking powder and vanilla extract into the egg mixture with a large metal spoon until there are no pockets of flour visible.
Gently tip the mixture into your prepared Swiss roll tin and bake in the oven for 15 mins or until lightly golden and springy to the touch.
Remove from the oven, allow to cool for 1-2 mins or until cool enough to handle, then carefully roll up the sponge while it’s still warm (keeping the baking parchment attached). Leave to cool completely in its rolled-up shape.
Uncurl the sponge and spread the jam on the inside. Working quickly, unwrap the ice cream and put it on top of the jam. Roll the cake up around it.
Wrap the Arctic roll in a new sheet of baking parchment and a layer of foil too. Return to the freezer for a further 20-30mins, then unwrap, slice and serve immediately.