Summer Berry Sundae

This Summer Berry Sundae is the perfect ending to a warm day meal, combining the tart brightness of homemade lemon curd with the sweet juiciness of fresh mixed berries. The dish layers premium vanilla ice cream with a rich, silky lemon custard made from egg yolks and fresh zest, creating a complex flavor profile that balances sweet and sour notes beautifully. Fresh strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries are gently warmed with sugar and vanilla to release their natural juices without losing their shape. The contrast between the cold ice cream, the room-temperature curd, and the slightly warm berries offers a delightful textural experience. It is an elegant yet simple dessert that feels indulgent, making it ideal for summer gatherings, romantic dinners, or simply treating yourself after a long week.

Cooking Method: Boiling, Stewing

Cuisine: American

Courses: Desserts

Difficulty: Advanced

Servings: 4

Calories: 40.2

Dietary: Gluten-free, Vegetarian

Description

This Summer Berry Sundae is the perfect ending to a warm day meal, combining the tart brightness of homemade lemon curd with the sweet juiciness of fresh mixed berries. The dish layers premium vanilla ice cream with a rich, silky lemon custard made from egg yolks and fresh zest, creating a complex flavor profile that balances sweet and sour notes beautifully. Fresh strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries are gently warmed with sugar and vanilla to release their natural juices without losing their shape. The contrast between the cold ice cream, the room-temperature curd, and the slightly warm berries offers a delightful textural experience. It is an elegant yet simple dessert that feels indulgent, making it ideal for summer gatherings, romantic dinners, or simply treating yourself after a long week.

Ingredients

1 Egg Plus 2 egg yolks
1/2 cup Freshly squeezed, strained,

Directions

1
Make the lemon curd: In a medium saucepan, whisk together the whole egg, 2 egg yolks, lemon juice, lemon zest, and 1/2 cup sugar.
2
Set the saucepan over very low heat and stir gently and constantly with a rubber spatula until the mixture thickens, about 5 minutes.
3
Remove from heat just before it reaches a boil; do not let it boil.
4
Strain the curd into a bowl, cover with plastic wrap touching the surface, and set aside to cool to room temperature.
5
Cook the berries: In a medium saucepan, toss 2 1/2 cups of strawberries (cut in quarters) and blueberries with 2 tablespoons sugar and 1/2 teaspoon water.
6
Wash down the sides of the pot with a wet pastry brush and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and berries are soft but intact, about 2 minutes.
7
If the sugar hasn't dissolved, add a few more drops of water.
8
Stir in 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract.
9
Remove the pot from heat and gently fold in raspberries and blackberries; do not stir, allowing residual heat to soften them.
10
Transfer the berry mixture to a bowl to cool.
11
Assemble the sundaes: Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the berry mixture into the bottom of each of 4 sundae glasses.
12
Add a dollop of the cooled lemon curd over the berries.
13
Scoop about 1/2 cup of premium vanilla ice cream into each glass.
14
Top with more lemon curd and the remaining berry mixture.
15
Garnish with a few extra fresh berries and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 4

Amount Per Serving
Calories 40.2kcal

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 3.3g6%
Saturated Fat 0.9g5%
Cholesterol 135.0mg45%
Sodium 7.1mg1%
Total Carbohydrate 0.5g1%
Dietary Fiber 0.0g0%
Sugars 0.5g
Protein 2.0g4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

For best results, use ripe, fresh berries in season. If berries are out of season, you can substitute with frozen berries, but thaw and drain them well to prevent excess wateriness.

The lemon curd can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Let it come to room temperature before assembling for the best texture.

Be careful not to overcook the lemon curd, as it can curdle if boiled. Keep the heat very low and stir constantly.

Serve immediately after assembly to prevent the ice cream from melting too quickly and making the dessert watery.

Keywords: summer, berry, sundae, lemon curd, ice cream, dessert, vanilla, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, egg yolks, fresh fruit, easy dessert, make ahead, gluten free, vegetarian

Read it online: https://www.chefs-mate.com/recipe/summer-berry-sundae/