An Old Standby

This is one of those desserts that I know I can throw together last minute to take to a party or to dinner at a friends house. It doesn't require much time, great skill, or numerous ingredients and is relatively inexpensive. You would never know it by the taste or presentation, which is what makes it so awesome!

I usually make it with just a whipped cream frosting, but this time I wanted to give it a little something extra so I made a mascarpone-whipped cream frosting. If you want to cut down on the cost (and calories), you can omit the cheese. It can be pricey, but I find that it's on sale a lot.

Mascarpone Whipped Cream Frosting


You will need:

• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 1-8 oz container mascarpone cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup confectioners sugar
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Whip cream and confectioners sugar until soft peaks form. Add vanilla, zest and cheese and whip until stiff.

See, I told you this is easy.

I always buy an angel food cake premade at the store, it's just easier that way (we're going for easy here people). But if you're feeling special you can make one yourself. Otherwise, just run a knife along the outside of the cake and around the inside hole and turn over onto a plate. Use a serrated knife to cut into two layers. Spread a layer of cream in the middle and line with thinly sliced strawberries. Place the top half on it.

Use an offset spatula to frost the edges and top of the cake. Pipe a border on the top and bottom if you'd like and decorate with fresh strawberries, raspberries and blackberries (you can really use any berries you'd like). Garnish with some lemon curls.

No matter the time of year, it's always summer when you serve this cake :).