France may dominate world cuisine, but an English chef’s culinary skills are just as impressive. A taste of English cuisine is a journey through Britain’s vast history, discovering culture and tradition with every bite. For anyone with an incurable sweet tooth, the next English desserts are an absolute must-have.
English Arctic roll
The English Arctic roll introduced in the 1950s by Czech immigrant ‘Ernest Velden’. It is a thick log like block of vanilla ice cream with a layer of sponge cake wrapped around it. A thin layer of raspberry sauce binds the sponge cake and ice cream together. The dessert topped food charts with rising sales when first released to the public and the Queen presented its creator with an OBE. In the 1990s, however, the demand dwindled, and the company terminated its production.
The dessert was brought back upon invitation in 2008 and reached sales of over £3.5 million. Most consumers purchased the dessert out of nostalgia since it was a part of their childhood. ‘Arctic Roll’ is still in production and can be found in supermarkets around the country.
Trifle
Undoubtedly the most traditional English dessert of all time, a ‘Trifle’ is an absolute joy to those who love sweet desserts. A trifle is a classic dessert made mainly by piling layers upon layers of custard, sponge cake, jelly, whipped cream and fruits; mostly the berries found in abundance in Britain. Some Sherry or any other alcoholic beverage can be sprinkled over the trifle to add some extra flavour.
Jam Roly-Poly
It is a nostalgic taste to those in England who experienced the ‘Jam roly-poly’ as a famous lunch dessert among school children. It is a flattened rolled suet pudding spread with Jam and then rolled up like a Swiss roll. It is finally baked and served with hot caramel sauce.
Banoffee Pie
The Banoffee Pie originated in East Sussex during the late 20th century. It is prepared using toffee made of boiled condensed milk. Bananas are the main ingredient. Layered with cream, toffee and bananas on a base of either pastry or crushed biscuits. Melted butter is added to give it a lighter taste.
Eton Mess
The Eton Mess is quintessentially a British recipe and usually served at the annual cricket match in Eton. Strawberries are mashed together with sugar and port. Slightly crushed meringues are folded into the mixture, and this ‘mess’ is served with whipped cream.
Spotted Dick
It was renamed in the ‘Flintshire’ area as ‘Spotted Richard’, to avoid double entendres. This famous English dessert prepared by steaming a fruity sponge pudding with currants, citrus zest and mainly suet. The slices served with hot custard.
Knickerbocker Glory
It is a famous ice cream which emerged in the 1920s. ‘Knickerbocker Glory’ is served in tall glasses and are eaten using a considerably long spoon. It is a cream sundae layered with an assortment of fruits including melons, strawberries, grapes, bananas and peaches. Vanilla ice-cream separates each layer of fruit. Peach sauce, whipped cream and cherries are added in-between.
