Knickerbocker glory

Whether you like to believe this famous sundae is named for the early days of New York City, for the American Knickerbocker hotels, or the multicolored and striped long breeches worn in England in the 1900s, the knickerbocker glory is still a popular and flamboyant ice cream sundae.

* Serves 2

• fresh strawberries and cherries
• 2 scoops vanilla ice cream
• 6 to 8 tbsp. fruit jelly
• strawberry or raspberry sauce
• 2 scoops strawberry ice cream
• 1/2 cup heavy cream, whipped
• toasted sliced almonds

Arrange a little fresh fruit in the base of two chilled sundae glasses. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream, then some fruit jelly and some fruit sauce.

Next add strawberry ice cream, and then more fruit sauce. Now top with whipped cream, fresh fruit, and nuts, followed by more sauce and a few nuts. Return to the freezer for no more than 30 minutes or eat immediately.

These are not for keeping, so prepare as required. It is a good idea to have a selection of suitable ingredients ready before you start, as well as well-chilled glasses.

Variations:

• Cherryberry glory

Instead of the basic recipe, layer fresh blueberries with raspberry ripple gelato, black cherry jam, vanilla ice cream, and strawberry-flavored whipped cream (stir 2 tablespoons strawberry sauce into the whipped cream). Finish with maraschino cherries, ladyfingers, and strawberry sauce.

• Chocoholics’ knickerbocker glory

Instead of the basic recipe, layer dark and white chocolate ice cream with crumbled chocolate brownies, pitted black cherries, raspberry sauce, and whipped cream. Top with raspberries, chocolate curls or sprinkles, and hot chocolate fudge sauce.

• Morning glory

Layer fresh fruit with orange sherbet, thick and fruity yogurt, banana custard ice cream, whipped cream, and fresh passion fruit pulp. Sprinkle with toasted granola or oats and nuts.

• Bananabocker glory

Instead of the basic recipe, layer chocolate, banana custard, and crunchy peanut butter ice creams with fudge and toffee sauces, slices of banana, marshmallows, peach sauce, and whipped cream. Finish with chocolate sprinkles and more marshmallows.