Finally, we’ve hit the heart of summer here in the south, and the heat and humidity are in full force! And while this heat has slowed me down in some areas, the kitchen is certainly not one of them.
Most weekends my extended family gets together at my Granddaddy’s for Sunday lunch after church. We sit around the table gabbing for most of the afternoon, discussing the latest local news or just catching up on each other’s lives while the kids play; and we’re usually delighting in light and airy summery treats that beats the heat.
We’ve had some great desserts this summer so far, but I have to say that one of favorites has been this Strawberry Shortcake. Strawberries and summer just go together!
Strawberry Shortcake
Cake:
Prepare and bake one white cake. (2-3 layers)
Icing:
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 (8-ounce) containers frozen whipped topping, thawed (CoolWhip)
Mix together cream cheese, condensed milk, and whipped topping; set aside.
Glaze:
- 2 cups sugar
- 6 tablespoons cornstarch
- 6 tablespoons strawberry gelatin (recommended: Jell-O)
- 2 cups water
- 4 cups fresh strawberries, cut in 1/2 (if berries are extra large, they can be cut into quarters)
- Whole fresh strawberries and mint leaves, for garnish
In a medium saucepan, stir together sugar, cornstarch, and gelatin; add water. Cook stirring over medium heat until thick. Remove from heat and allow to completely cool. Fold in strawberries. (Do not overcook as glaze will become too thick.)
To assemble:
Place 1 layer of cake in a large clear bowl. Top with a layer of glaze, followed by a layer of icing. Repeat layering in this order for remaining cake, glaze and icing. Top cake with fresh whole strawberries.
Another favorite of mine is Frozen Fruit Salad – great for enjoying outside by the pool or on the patio. Prepare it the day before to ensure enough time for the salad to freeze.
Frozen Fruit Salad
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 20 oz crushed pineapple undrained
- 3\4 c sugar
- 10 oz frozen strawberries
- 1 c nuts
- 12 oz cool whip
Blend sugar w cream cheese then mix all other ingredients. Freeze in large nice bowl for 24 hours.
So what do you think of these a great way to cool off when it’s so hot outside? What’s your favorite summertime dessert?
