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Lemon & Lavender Soft Ice with Blueberry-Basil Compote and Almond Tuile

Lemon and lavender soft ice served with blueberry basil compote and almond tuiles, made using Arla Slower Melt Soft Ice Mix, recipe by Nicol Retailer

Elegant, refreshing, and beautifully balanced, this lemon and lavender soft ice dessert is a refined example of modern fine-dining. Moreover, it is also made achievable at home. Created using Arla Slower Melt Soft Ice Mix, the soft ice delivers a luxuriously smooth texture. This texture holds its shape longer. Therefore, it is ideal for plated desserts.

Culinary lavender has long been used in desserts for its delicate floral aroma, and should always be used sparingly. This is advised by BBC Good Food.

Follow the step-by-step instructions below to recreate this restaurant-style dessert for dinner parties or special occasions. You can also impress with minimal fuss.

Lemon and lavender soft ice served with blueberry basil compote and almond tuiles, made using Arla Slower Melt Soft Ice Mix, recipe by Nicol Retailer

Lemon & Lavender Soft Ice with Blueberry-Basil Compote and Almond Tuile

Print Recipe
This elegant fine-dining soft ice dessert combines silky lemon-lavender soft ice with a vibrant blueberry-basil compote and crisp almond tuiles for a refined, restaurant-style finish. Made using Arla Slower Melt Soft Ice Mix, the dessert offers exceptional smoothness and stability, perfect for plated presentation. Balanced with citrus, floral notes, and fresh herbs, it’s an impressive yet achievable dessert ideal for dinner parties and special occasions. Premium ingredients supplied by Nicol Retailer ensure professional results at home.
Course Dessert, Fine Dining Dessert
Cuisine Contemporary British, french, Modern European
Diet Vegetarian
Keyword Arla Slower Melt Soft Ice Mix, fine dining dessert, lemon soft ice, Nicol Retailer recipes, plated dessert recipe, restaurant style dessert, soft ice dessert, UK dessert recipe, vegetarian dessert
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Chilling / freezing time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings 4 People

Ingredients

Lemon & Lavender Soft Ice

Blueberry–Basil Compote

Almond Tuiles

Garnish (optional but recommended)

Instructions

Prepare the Lemon & Lavender Soft Ice

  • Prepare the Arla Slower Melt Soft Ice Mix according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Strain and stir back into the remaining mix.
  • Strain and stir back into the remaining mix.
  • Add honey if using.
  • Chill thoroughly, then churn in an ice-cream or soft-ice machine until smooth, light, and soft-serve in texture.
  • Transfer to a piping bag and keep frozen until plating.

Make the Blueberry–Basil Compote

  • Place blueberries, sugar, and lemon juice in a saucepan.
  • Simmer gently for 6–8 minutes until the fruit softens and releases juices.
  • Remove from heat, stir in basil, and allow to cool completely.

Bake the Almond Tuiles

  • Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan).
  • Mix flour, sugar, ground almonds, salt, and melted butter to form a smooth batter.
  • Spoon small rounds onto a lined baking tray and spread thin.
  • Sprinkle with flaked almonds
  • Bake for 8–10 minutes until golden.
  • Shape while warm over a rolling pin if desired. Cool until crisp.

Plate the Dessert (Fine-Dining Style)

  • Spoon a small pool of blueberry–basil compote onto each chilled plate.
  • Pipe or quenelle the lemon-lavender soft ice alongside.
  • Add an almond tuile for height and crunch.
  • Garnish with lemon zest, basil, or edible flowers.

Notes

For best results, prepare the Arla Slower Melt Soft Ice Mix according to the instructions and chill thoroughly before churning to achieve a smooth, stable soft-serve texture. Gently infusing the lemon zest and culinary lavender enhances the flavour while keeping the dessert balanced and refined.
For a gluten-free version, simply replace the plain flour in the almond tuiles with a gluten-free flour blend or rice flour, ensuring all other ingredients are certified gluten-free. Chilling serving plates before plating will help the soft ice maintain its shape longer, making this dessert ideal for fine-dining presentation at home or in professional kitchens.

Nutrition

Serving: 180g | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Sodium: 100mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 26g

Star Ingredient

This dessert is made using Arla Slower Melt Soft Ice Mix, available from Nicol Retailer, a trusted supplier of professional-quality ingredients for home cooks and caterers — a high-quality base that delivers exceptional texture and flavour, perfect for elevated desserts like this: https://nicolretailer.com/product/arla-slower-melt-soft-ice-mix-2ltr/

Serving Suggestions

Serve this lemon and lavender soft ice dessert immediately on chilled plates to preserve its smooth, creamy texture and refined presentation. It pairs beautifully with light, citrus-led accompaniments such as fresh berries, shortbread crumbs, or a drizzle of honey for added sweetness. For a fine-dining finish, add crisp almond tuiles or edible flowers to create height and contrast on the plate. This dessert works perfectly as a restaurant-style finale, a sophisticated dinner-party dessert, or an elegant option for special occasions.