We discovered that store-bought mango sorbet and ice cream were so good we could do little to improve upon them. But most store-bought raspberry sorbet lacked the color, tang, and true berry flavor of homemade.

　　

Ingredients

Makes 10 to 12 servings

　　

For raspberry sorbet

2/3 cup sugar

　　1 cup water

　　15 ounces fresh raspberries (3 cups)

　　1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

　　

For terrine

2 pints mango sorbet

　　2 pints superpremium mango ice cream

　　Accompaniment: diced mango (optional)

　　

Special Equipment

an ice cream maker; a 12- by 4 1/2- by 3-inch loaf pan* or other 8-cup mold

　　

Make sorbet:

Step 1

Bring sugar and water to a boil in a 1-quart saucepan, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and cool syrup.

　　

Step 2

Purée raspberries and lemon juice in a food processor, then force through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, discarding seeds. Stir in sugar syrup and chill, covered, until cold, about 2 hours.

　　

Step 3

Freeze sorbet in ice cream maker. Transfer to an airtight container and freeze until slightly firmer but still spreadable, about 30 minutes.

　　

Assemble terrine:

Step 4

Line loaf pan with 3 pieces of plastic wrap (1 lengthwise and 2 crosswise), leaving at least a 2-inch overhang on all sides, then freeze pan 10 minutes.

　　

Step 5

While raspberry sorbet is in freezer, soften mango sorbet and mango ice cream in refrigerator.

　　

Step 6

Mash mango sorbet in a bowl with a spoon until spreadable but not melted. Mash ice cream in another bowl in same manner.

　　

Step 7

Evenly spread 1 3/4 cups mango sorbet in bottom of loaf pan (preferably with a small offset metal spatula), then top with 1 3/4 cups mango ice cream and half of raspberry sorbet. (If sorbets or ice cream become too soft for spreading, freeze 10 minutes between layering.) Repeat layering with 1 3/4 cups mango sorbet, 1 3/4 cups mango ice cream, and remaining raspberry sorbet (pan will be full). Cover top of terrine with plastic-wrap overhang, then wrap pan with more plastic wrap and freeze until terrine is hardened, at least 8 hours.

　　

Step 8

To serve, unwrap pan, then open overhang and invert pan onto a chilled serving platter. Wet a kitchen towel with hot water, quickly wring it dry, and drape over pan 30 seconds. Lift off pan and peel off plastic wrap.

　　

Step 9

*Available at some cookware shops, The Baker's Catalogue (800-827-6836), and A Cook's Wares (800-915-9788).

　　Cooks' notes:

　　·Raspberry sorbet can be made 3 days ahead. Soften in refrigerator about 30 minutes before using.

　　·Assembled terrine can be frozen up to 3 days.