When Cake Is On The Menu

Salutations, Porch Pals!

It's Friday Freebie Day at Raley's. With a minimum purchase this week, you'll receive a free three pound bag of premium apples. While you're in the produce department pick up the deal on fresh, plump strawberries, BOGOF. Head over to the bakery and grab an angel food cake and snatch a quart of low fat, vanilla ice cream, and you'll be ready to create this stunning, very quick dessert. It's also National Frozen Food Month so there are some real bargains on frozen vegetables, MorningStar Farms products, and Kashi products. These frozen foods are on sale at all grocery chains in our area.

Frozen Strawberry Layer Cake

1 1/2 pounds berries, hulled and sliced (6 cups)

1/2 c. sugar

2 Tbs. lemon juice

1/2 tsp. salt

1  12 oz. fat free angel food cake, sliced into 1/4" slices

1 qt. store bought, low fat vanilla ice cream


In a saucepan over medium heat, cook the berries, sugar, lemon juice, and salt. Simmer for 15 minutes. With a potato masher, mash 1/2 of the strawberries and then let mixture cool.

Soften ice cream in a large bowl until soft and spreadable.

Line the bottom of a large cake pan with 1/3 of the cake slices. Cut to fit. Top with 1/2 of the ice cream. Spread 2/3 c. berries over the ice cream.

Create the next layer, using 1/3 of the cake slices, remaining ice cream, and top with 2/3 c. berries. Seal top with remaining cake.

Cover with plastic wrap and freeze six hours.

Let cake stand 10 minutes before slicing.

Have you ever noticed what happens when cake is on the menu? It feels like you're celebrating something. It makes an ordinary day into an extraordinary day. It says that Fridays can be special in our house, even when it's just us. It says, "Let's get out a game or watch a movie." And, "Do I have strawberries on my chin?"

Thank you for your loyal support to this blog, dear readers. I'm so thankful that many of you are being encouraged or inspired. It is my aim to continue  sharing daily reflections from one cracked pot to another.

Have a great weekend!
Alis