Keeping Ice Cream Cake

Our answer

Nigella's Ice Cream Cake (from Nigella Express and on the Nigella website) is made with store-bought ice cream, with various add-ins mixed into the ice cream. In terms of food safety the ice cream is the most perishable part and you should adhere to the dates and information on the ice cream packaging.

However the cookies, nuts and Crunchie bar that are mixed into the ice cream when the cake is formed will start to turn soft after a while, as they absorb moisture from the ice cream. The cake is usually at its very best within one week of making so making it a week ahad is fine but beyond that it may not quite have the contrast of smooth ice cream and crunchy bits. The chocolate and butterscotch sauces can be made a week ahead and stored in the fridge. The sauces will thicken when they are chilled so heat the sauces very gently in a microwave or in heatpoof bowls over saucepans of hot water, until they are pourable.