Raspberry ripple is a popular style of ice cream, particularly in Great Britain as well as further west in Canada and the United States. The flavor is simply macerated raspberries whipped through vanilla ice cream for added color, texture and flavor. Raspberry ripple also is a type of white cake, made in a similar raspberry-centric fashion.
The fresher the raspberries used for raspberry ripple ice cream, the better tasting and healthier the treat. Raspberry harvest in usually in the middle of summer. To make them last longer, however, many people freeze the berries or make them into a jam for use in ice cream.
Raspberry ripple can easily be purchased at stores, in Great Britain and in many other countries. It is also fairly easy to make at home using an ice cream maker or by whipping some raspberry chunks through softened vanilla ice cream. For a final touch, some also pour fresh berries over the top for a flavorful garnish.
Perhaps the most difficult part of making raspberry ripple at home is getting the ingredients in the proper proportion. One recipe involves first making a custard with just the yolks of four eggs, 3 oz. (about 90 g) of sugar, 2 tsp (about 10 ml) of vanilla and 2 oz (about 60 g) of flour. Once blended, about 2.5 cups (about 592 ml) of milk is slowly added to the custard as it comes to a boil. The mix then simmers for about three minutes before being removed from the heat.
The final preparation involves about 1.5 cups (about 355 ml) of heavy cream being whipped, then folded into the custard. This is then added to an ice cream machine until almost frozen and then whipped through with macerated raspberries or raspberry jam. Those without an ice cream machine can merely place their ice cream in the freezer, but have to constantly whip the bowl until it is frozen.
In the U.K. a few notable ice cream manufacturers have further popularized raspberry ripple. One is Wall's Ice Cream, which has made the recipe for about 80 years. Another is Millie's Cookies, with locations all over the United Kingdom.
A popular offshoot of raspberry ripple ice cream is raspberry ripple cake. This is a white cake made with some raspberry or cranberry juice, oil and egg whites, which is stirred through with raspberries and/or raspberry jam before it is baked in the oven. This cake is typically finished with a sugar glaze and even more raspberries.
