Knickerbocker Glory

Learn how to make a knickerbocker glory! This pretty layered ice cream sundae is made with fresh raspberry sauce, vanilla ice cream, berries, whipped cream & more!

Like a lot of Americans, I first heard of the knickerbocker glory in the Harry Potter books, and honestly? It sounded delightful.

I was surprised to learn that–despite the funny name–the Harry Potter Knickerbocker Glory recipe wasn’t a fun wizarding treat made up for the books. It’s a real thing! Although the Knickerbocker Glory sundae is rumored to have been invented in the United States and named after the Knickerbocker Hotel, it’s been MUCH more popular in the U.K. than it has been in the U.S., thanks to places like Fortnum and Mason adding it to their menus!

Well, consider this the summer of the Knickerbocker Glories, because this dessert is perfect for 4th of July, Memorial Day, and summer cookouts and celebrations all season long! Once you try one, you’ll never want to go back.

This layered ice cream sundae can come in many iterations, but it often includes a few components:

What Goes Into a Knickerbocker Glory?

In some ways, a Knickerbocker glory sundae is kind of the ice cream version of Eton Mess! While there is definitely some variety, most knickerbocker glories have:

• A Fruit Sauce, Curd, or Jelly. This often includes something like strawberry sauce or raspberry sauce, but can also include something like lemon curd, fruit jellies or jam, etc.
• Fresh Fruit. Think fresh berries, mango, pineapple, etc.
• Ice Cream. Scoops of vanilla ice cream are common, but you’ll also see versions with strawberry ice cream or other fruity ice cream flavors! 
• Whipped Cream. Fluffy, delicious, elegant!
• Crunchy Bits. A little crunch for good measure can include crushed meringue, chopped or toasted nuts, etc.
• Fun Garnishes. A traditional fan wafer biscuit is a common topping, but other versions use a coconut roll (or pirouette cookie), chopped nuts, and even sprinkles!

Want to make a Knickerbocker Glory of your own? Here’s what you’ll need to make ours…

Gather Your Ingredients

So what goes into OUR knickerbocker glory recipe? Just a handful of simple ingredients! Let’s take a look:

• Raspberries, Lemon Juice & Sugar. We’re making our quick raspberry coulis for the fruit sauce. This fresh raspberry sauce has vibrant color and fresh berry flavor that’s perfect with the ice cream!
• Fresh Berries. I like a combination of fresh raspberries, fresh strawberries, and fresh blueberries, but you can also toss some blackberries in there if you like, or use just one kind of berry.
• Vanilla Ice Cream. My favorite flavor ice cream for a knickerbocker glory sundae is vanilla since it lets the fruit flavors shine. (Feel free to use lactose-free, dairy-free or vegan ice cream as needed!)
• Whipped Cream. Feel free to make your own whipped cream from scratch, or use spray whipped cream for ease!
• Meringue Cookies. For ease, I like to use store-bought mini meringues. They’re shelf-stable, so they’ll last for months, which makes it easy to make a sundae when the craving strikes!
• Coconut Rolls or a Fan Cookie. In the U.K., many versions of the Knickerbocker glory are served with a fan shaped biscuit. I haven’t ever seen these in grocery stores in the U.S. and haven’t been able to find a gluten-free version, so we use gluten-free coconut rolls instead. Other options could include a crispy mini chocolate chip cookie, gingersnaps, shortbread biscuits, or vanilla wafers, etc.

How To Make a Knickerbocker Glory, Step By Step

As always, you can find the full recipe, with ingredient amounts, detailed instructions, and tips in the recipe card below.

First, Make The Raspberry Sauce

1. Combine. Add raspberries, lemon juice & sugar to a blender. (If using frozen raspberries, remember to at least partially thaw them first, so they’re easier to blend!)
2. Puree until the sauce is as smooth as possible. Pause to scrape down the sides of the blender as needed.
3. Strain out the seeds by pouring the raspberry puree through a fine mesh sieve. Place the sieve over a bowl, then pour the raspberry sauce into the sieve and pressing down using the back of a spoon or a flexible spatula to remove any seeds or large pulp from the sauce. Discard the seeds and pulp, and pour the smooth sauce into a bowl, container or small pitcher.
4. Serve or Store. Store raspberry coulis in the refrigerator up to 1 week, or freeze up to 1 month. 

Build a Knickerbocker Glory

1. Check Your Sauce. The raspberry sauce should be easily scoopable straight from the fridge, but if yours is feeling too thick, you can thin it out with a teaspoon of water or two, until you reach your desired consistency. Set out a tall glass for each sundae you plan to make.
2. Layer raspberry sauce, fresh berries, and a scoop of ice cream in the bottom of each glass. 
3. Repeat layers of raspberry sauce, berries, and ice cream to fill your glass. Top the final ice cream scoop with a little more raspberry sauce. 
4. Garnish with whipped cream, and add meringue, coconut rolls, nuts, or a fan cookie, to taste. I like to add a small whole strawberry or a larger strawberry half for garnish, too! Serve with a long spoon and dive in!