A Dollop Of This Tart Spread Gives Vanilla Ice Cream 11/10 Flavor

Vanilla ice cream is one of the most versatile desserts that a person can keep in stock. Even on its own, good vanilla is way more nuanced than its ho-hum reputation would lead you to believe. But you can also transform even the best vanilla ice cream into something uniquely enticing every night. Classic vanilla ice cream upgrades like sprinkles, sauces, and all manner of candies are always tops. And one should turn to curd for some sophisticated flavor and a dynamic texture. Lemon curd in particular is lovely when joined with vanilla ice cream.

Lemon curd is the spreadable sunshine that you'll find in pies, tarts, and — once you try it for the first time — many of your future ice cream bowls. You can buy it in virtually any supermarket or grocery store, or you can easily make it at home in no time. The combination of lemon juice, zest, sugar, butter, and eggs that gets whisked together over medium-low heat on the stove becomes just sweet enough to make sense with the frozen treat without taking over those scoops, and it's just spoonable enough to swirl into your ice cream. Its consistency should be somewhat similar to a refrigerated jar of hot fudge. Not that every ice cream is exactly crafted with the finest Tahitian beans, but lemon can also bring out the vanilla's own subtly fruity notes. And this delicious pairing is terrific without further adornment, or even livelier with additional accoutrement.

The most obvious addition to lemon curd-topped ice cream is a little leftover lemon zest. Yes, it's already in the curd itself, but it's pretty cloaked in the rich mix, and some freshly grated peel's fragrant oils can amplify the citrus flavor. Candied lemon is likewise congruous, and a little goes a long way thanks to its usual sugar encasement. You might want to chop a peel or two into smaller bits for a conservative dusting, rather than pile them on top of the ice cream.

Candied ginger is also wonderful with vanilla and lemon, and the resulting aroma creates an irresistible bouquet. Ginger's warming quality also enters a new sensation to the equation. Although it, too, is heavily sugared, its spice provides some built-in balance that keeps it from seeming overwhelming. Any kind of berry would be welcome, too, but you needn't look to the botanical world alone to keep refining this already pretty refined combination. Some crumbled graham crackers will be reminiscent of a lemon meringue pie, and something like whipped topping or marshmallow fluff will further gild this lily almost beyond comprehension.