Golden Gaytime Inspired Dessert Bars

🧂 Ingredients

• 1 liter Vanilla ice cream(High-quality, full-fat vanilla ice cream will yield the best results. Allow it to soften slightly before proceeding.)
• 150g Toffee pieces(Use pre-made toffee bits or finely chop hard toffee candies. Ensure they are small enough to be evenly distributed.)
• 150g Digestive biscuits or plain sweet biscuits(Crushed into fine crumbs. Digestive biscuits are a classic choice.)
• 200g Dark or milk chocolate(Good quality chocolate for melting. Dark chocolate provides a nice contrast to the sweet ice cream.)
• 50g Unsalted butter(Adds richness and helps the chocolate coating set smoothly.)
• 8 Ice cream sticks(Standard popsicle or ice cream sticks.)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1

   Prepare the ice cream base: Remove the vanilla ice cream from the freezer and let it soften at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes, until it's pliable but not melted. In a large bowl, gently fold the toffee pieces into the softened ice cream using a spatula until evenly distributed. Be careful not to overmix, which can cause the ice cream to melt too much.

   ⏱️ 20 minutes
2. 2

   Shape and freeze the bars: Line a rectangular baking dish (approximately 20x20 cm or similar) with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal. Spoon the ice cream mixture into the prepared dish, spreading it evenly to a thickness of about 2-3 cm. Insert the ice cream sticks firmly into the ice cream, spacing them evenly. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and freeze for at least 3-4 hours, or until the ice cream is completely solid and firm.

   ⏱️ 3-4 hours
3. 3

   Prepare the coating: While the ice cream is freezing solid, prepare the chocolate coating. In a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water (ensure the bottom of the bowl doesn't touch the water), melt the chocolate and butter together, stirring occasionally until smooth and glossy. Alternatively, microwave the chocolate and butter in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until melted and smooth. Pour the crushed biscuit crumbs onto a shallow plate or tray.

   ⏱️ 15 minutes
4. 4

   Coat and finish: Once the ice cream is frozen solid, carefully remove it from the baking dish using the parchment paper overhang. Cut the block into 8 equal bars. Working one bar at a time, dip it into the melted chocolate mixture, ensuring it's fully coated. Immediately transfer the chocolate-coated bar to the plate of biscuit crumbs, rolling it gently to coat all sides evenly. Place the coated bars back onto the parchment-lined baking sheet.

   ⏱️ 15 minutes
5. 5

   Final freeze: Return the coated bars to the freezer for at least 1 hour, or until the chocolate coating is firm. This ensures they hold their shape and are ready to enjoy. Serve directly from the freezer.

   ⏱️ 1 hour+

💡 Pro Tips

• ✓The toffee and biscuit crumb coating is the signature element of a Golden Gaytime. Don't skip this step!
• ✓For easier dipping, ensure the chocolate mixture is fluid but not too hot.
• ✓If the ice cream starts to melt too much during shaping or coating, pop it back in the freezer for 15-20 minutes.
• ✓This dessert is best enjoyed on a warm day, evoking nostalgic summer memories.

🔄 Variations

• Create a sundae by breaking the coated bars into pieces and serving with extra toffee sauce and cream.
• Experiment with different ice cream flavors like caramel or cookies and cream.
• Add a layer of caramel sauce to the ice cream before shaping.

🥗 Nutrition

Per serving