What Flavor Ice Cream to Pair with a Cake

[a213b]

So a friend asked me recently to reprise a cake I've made before as her special birthday cake, and of course I'd love to. The cake (which I made for a wedding anniversary) is a classic Almond Cake with a cream-cheese filling and an almond buttercream frosting.

I want to make an ice cream that pairs really well with it, but I'm struggling to come up with a good flavor pairing. I recently picked up David Lebovitz' The Perfect Scoop, so any suggestions from it get some bonus points.

What do you guys think? What flavor pairs best with the above described cake?

[jpc8015]

Vanilla.

[charlesbois]

honey ice cream. or raspberry if you want to take it in a different direction

[chowser]

vanilla bean with a touch of rum

[ipsedixit]

Bingo! We have a winner.

[addicted2cake]

OOOOOHHH! I agree! This sounds delectable.

[JungMann]

What about a rose-almond ice cream? It should take its hints from marzipan.

[billieboy]

I think you have to decide if you want the cake to be the star of the show or the ice cream. Myself I would choose plain vanilla, but because it's almond flavoured, maybe a drizzle of amoretto over it.

[greygarious]

Pear.

[Stuffed Monkey]

How about white chocolate? Thought of it because I've done a white chocolate cream cheese frosting which was fantastic.

[Honey Bee]

I like the lemon idea or what about a honey-lavender?

[oana]

I also like the lemon idea - it would cut the density ...and just picturing your lovely cake with a the sweet/tartness of lemon is mouthwatering

[Caralien]

Dulce de leche, peach, or cherry ice cream.

[dolores]

Dulche de leche would be my choice, if it were my b/d. I am currently enjoying Ciao Bella's.

a213b, what is a 'classic' almond cake?

[a213b]

Oops, sorry ... I kind of meant more a classic wedding cake.

[addicted2cake]

How about chocolate? I love chocolate and almonds and think your cake would taste fantastic with a scoop of chocolate icecream. Another suggesetion would be cherry vanila ice cream. Love almond/cherry combos, too.

[lupaglupa]

Um, why do want ice cream with it? IMHO with the cream cheese filling and the buttercream ice cream isn't necessary. But - if ice cream is a must (your friend asked for it, it's traditional with birthday cake, you just love it) then I'd say something with as subtle a flavor as you can manage. A hint of amaretto to echo the cake and buttercream seems obvious I know but would probably work well. Honey might be nice too, it's a very light flavor. A hint of orange would work too.

[Agent Orange]

How about a lemon sorbet? Might take the dish in a different direction.

[Frommtron]

Brown butter?