1. Turn a 2 litre plastic container of ice cream upside down over a large, flat cake plate. Press container until ice cream is released in one piece. Place in the freezer to firm.
2. Cut a square from the 1 litre carton of ice cream and place this square on top of the 2 litre square on the plate. Return to the freezer to firm.
3. Mix a few drops of food colouring into the whipped cream to obtain desired strength of colour. Place coloured cream in a piping bag fitted with a large star nozzle.
4. Working quickly so the ice cream does not melt, pipe an attractive edge around the cake, or write someone's name on top, if you like. Return cake to the freezer until ready to serve. Add candles, if desired, and serve.

Note: You need to have a 2 ltr container vanilla ice cream or flavoured ice cream, if preferred and a 1 ltr carton of ice cream.

tip

Check out Ray McVinnie's video on 'How to make chocolate shards'