[1] A Christmas wreath of ice cream and fruit (photo © Tillamook County Creamery Association | Facebook).

[2] Kadota figs. Any figs work here, all have reddish interiors. But green-skinned figs add more external color than darker hues (photo © California Figs).

[3] Raspberries dot the wreath with color (photo © Driscoll’s Berries).

This easy-to-make Christmas dessert is both elegant and food fun at the same time. An ice cream wreath is a treat anytime during the Christmas season.

The ice cream wreath is easy to put together with your choice of ice creams and fruits.

Matcha and strawberry ice cream deliver holiday colors, and vanilla is always correct.

The result: You spoon the ice cream and fruit into dishes for an instant sundae! No topping is needed, but we recommend a fruit sauce instead of caramel or chocolate. We like the raspberry sauce recipe below.
 
 
RECIPE #1: ICE CREAM WREATH 
 
Ingredients

 
Preparation

1. PREPARE the fruits. Most require nothing beyond washing; only the figs need to be sliced.

If you want to add pears, slice them right before serving or they will brown; or use this technique:

Mix 1/4 cup water and 3 tablespoons of strained lemon juice. Dip the pear slice into the water.

2. PLACE the fruits in a wreath shape on a round platter.

3. PRE-SCOOP the ice cream into balls and return to the freezer.

4. ADD the ice cream when you are ready to bring the platter to the table. Pass the optional fruit sauce.
 
 
RECIPE #2: GRAND MARNIER RASPBERRY SAUCE 

You can use any orange liqueur instead of Grand Marnier, or a raspberry liqueur like Chambord. You can make the sauce up to two days in advance and keep it covered tightly in the fridge.

Ingredients

 
Preparation

1. COMBINE the ingredients in a bowl or pitcher and allow them to blend in the refrigerator for 2 hours or longer.
 
 
> The history of ice cream.
 
> The history of the ice cream sundae.