Monday, May 26, 2014

Heavenly Blueberry and Cream Angel Dessert

From Mel's Kitchen Cafe

Ingredients
    Blueberry Filling:
  • 12 ounces frozen blueberries
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup cold water
  • Squeeze of fresh lemon juice (about 1/2 tablespoon) 
  •  
  • Cake and Cream:
  • Baked, cooled and cubed angel food cake 
  • 16 ounces light cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • 2/3 cup half-and-half or evaporated milk (can use skim evaporated milk)
  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar 
  •  
  • Whipped Cream:
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
Directions
  1. For the blueberry filling, in a medium saucepan, combine the blueberries, sugar, cornstarch, water and lemon juice. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook until thickened, 5-7 minutes, stirring often. Remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature.
  2. For the cake and cream layer, in a blender or with an electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer), whip together the cream cheese, half-and-half or evaporated milk and sugar until smooth and creamy. Transfer the mixture to a bowl if you used a blender. Fold in the angel food cake cubes. Keep in mind (from the note above) that you may not use all the cake cubes, especially if using an angel food cake mix. Add cake cubes until they are all thickly coated with a layer of cream. If making this in advance, it can dry out if there is too much angel food cake added.
  3. For the whipped cream, beat together the heavy cream and powdered sugar until peaks form.
  4. To assemble, in a trifle dish or in a large glass bowl, spread half of the angel food cake mixture. Top with half of the blueberries, spreading evenly across, and then spread half of the sweetened whipped cream. Repeat the layers.
  5. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours. Serve chilled.

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

How to soften butter in the microwave

This is so great! It works every time. 
Place the butter on one end and microwave for 4 seconds.  Then turn it on the other end and microwave for another 4 seconds.  Then lay it flat and microwave for 4 seconds.  Then flip it over to the opposite side and microwave for another 4 seconds.

If I'm using margarine I shorten the time to 3 seconds.