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    Ladyfinger Ice Cream Cake: Julia Child's Temple de Glacรฉ Martiniquaise

    Published: Feb 6, 2022 ยท Modified: Jun 23, 2024 by Audrey ยท This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Ladyfinger Ice Cream Cake is easy to adapt with your favorite flavors of ice cream and and spirits, or chose to go alcohol free.

    Ladyfinger Ice Cream Cake is a spectacular frozen dessert made with just a few simple ingredients in about 10 minutes. The hardest part is waiting for it to freeze.

    slice of ice cream cake on a plate with text overlay "ladyfinger ice cream cake"

    One Christmas Eve a long long time ago, my mother made this delicious ice cream cake with rum and chocolate. Recently, I wanted to recreate it and my mother knew just what I was talking about since she responded "Oh, Julia Child!"

    Apparently one Saturday afternoon, during her cooking show time, she saw Julia Child make this on her PBS Show The French Chef and wrote down the recipe. Unfortunately, she didn't keep it.

    Off to Amazon I went to find The French Chef Cookbook so I could make my own Temple de Glacรฉ a la Martiniquaise (Mold of Ice Cream with Rum and Chocolate).

    The cookbook contains all of the recipes from the original show, and I have used it to make quite a few other recipes such as croissants, cheese puffs and almond orange crepes.

    What can I use instead of Rum?

    The recipe calls for ยผ cup of rum, which is split over 6-8 servings, so there is about 2 teaspoons of rum per serving. Not a lot, but it really isn't necessary for the recipe.

    If you want the rum flavor without alcohol, use a tablespoon of rum flavoring with no alcohol added. Check the label, most rum flavor extracts are made with alcohol.

    Or you can use what I did... coffee syrup. I went with French Vanilla because... you guessed it... that's what was in the house.

    Mix and Match Ladyfinger Ice Cream Cake

    I kept mine vanilla and chocolate which was fabulous!

    But, this is such a simple dish to mix and match ice cream and soaking liquid.

    • peppermint ice cream and Peppermint Schnapps
    • coffee ice cream and Kahlua
    • peach ice cream and Amaretto or raspberry syrup
    • butter pecan ice cream with caramel syrup
    • cherry chocolate chip ice cream and brandy

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    Cookbook Recipes

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    • Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Canapes from Family Around the Table
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    We share Recipes From Our Dinner Table! Join our group and share your recipes, too! While you're at it, join our Pinterest board, too!

    slice of ice cream cake on a plate with text overlay "ladyfinger ice cream cake"

    Recipe

    Print Recipe Pin Recipe

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 quart vanilla ice cream
    • 1 package ladyfingers (approximately 7 ounce size)
    • 1ยฝ cup semi sweet chocolate chips (divided use)
    • ยผ cup dark rum (see note)
    • 1-2 tablespoons sugar

    Instructions
     

    • Remove ice cream from freezer to let it soften slightly.
    • In a 2 cup or larger microwaveable dish (I use my measuring cup) combine 1 cup chocolate chips and ยผ cup water. Microwave for 20 seconds, remove and stir. If chips are not completely melted microwave in 10 seconds increments mixing afterwards until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
    • In a shallow bowl that can fit the ladyfingers, combine the rum and ยพ cup water. Sweeten with sugar to taste.
    • Line the bottom of a cylindrical bowl with straight sides about 3-4 inches high with a round of waxed paper.
    • Dip ladyfingers for about 5 seconds in the rum water and line the bottom and sides of the dish. Don't soak too long or they will turn to mush.
    • Spread a few tablespoons of melted chocolate over the bottom.
    • Spread a few scoops of ice cream evenly to fill dish about โ…“ of the way.
    • Repeat layers of soaked ladyfingers, chocolate and ice cream to reach the top.
    • Cover with plastic wrap and freeze for at least 3-4 hours. Overnight is fine. Save any extra chocolate sauce.
    • To serve: Melt ยฝ cup chocolate chips with any leftover chocolate with a few tablespoons of water in the microwave as before.
      Soak the dish in a pot or bowl of warm water for 30 seconds to 1 minute just to loosen the sides. Place serving plate on top and invert, lift the dish off. Drizzle with melted chocolate and serve.

    Notes

    Coffee flavoring syrup can be used instead of rum. Use ยฝ cup syrup with ยฝ cup water, omitting sugar.ย 

    Sound fabulous? Share it!

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    Until next time, happy eating!
    ~Audrey

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kim

      April 04, 2024 at 8:22 pm

      What is size of mold for ice cream cake?

      Reply
      • Audrey

        April 05, 2024 at 10:15 pm

        A 2 quart container would probably be fine with one quart ice cream and the lady fingers. If it is bigger that's fine, you just won't fill it up all the way.

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    Welcome, I'm Audrey, an avid "maker" that believes home made is better.

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