Monday, March 25, 2013

Springy dessert to make...

 Thinking about spring...and wanted the taste of summer (strawberries!)

 

Strawberry Sigh Layered Dessert


I love layered desserts. They always look so pretty.
It is kind-of similar to another of my favorites, our Pineapple Dream Dessert, but different enough that it warrants its' own blog.
I named it "Strawberry Sigh" because you can't help but let out a dreamy *siiiiiiiiiiiiigh* after you taste it. I ate soooooo much of this the other day I thought I was going to explode. It's probably best you don't make this unless you have some guests to share it with. Just warning you.


Strawberry Sigh

Ingredients
Crust
1 cup pecans, finely chopped
1 cup flour
1/2 cup butter, melted

First Layer
1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1 cup icing sugar
2 cups Cool Whip, thawed

Second Layer
1 pkg (6 oz) Strawberry Jello mix
1 1/2 cups boiling water
2 cups frozen strawberries (chopped)

Topping
2 cups whipping cream
2 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Directions
Preheat oven to 375. Spray a 9 x 13 pan lightly with cooking spray. Set aside.
Crust - Combine pecans, flour, and melted butter in a medium bowl until well mixed. Press firmly into prepared 9 X 13 pan. (If you have trouble with the crust sticking to your hands as you press it down - keep dipping your fingers in a bowl of water and that should help.)


Bake at 375 for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
1st Layer - In a medium bowl, beat together the cream cheese and icing sugar. Stir in the 2 cups of Cool Whip. Carefully spread over cooled crust. (It helps to drop it by the spoonful over the crust and then gently spread it together.)


2nd Layer - Whisk together strawberry Jello and boiling water until Jello has dissolved. Stir in frozen, chopped strawberries. Let Jello thicken slightly in fridge and then pour over cream cheese layer.


Topping - Whip cream, sugar, and vanilla with electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Spread over Jello layer.


Cover and chill for at least 4 hours. (I covered mine and chilled it over overnight as our dinner party wasn't until the next day.)


You can try and just eat a small piece but.....good luck with that.
This is a nice, light dessert to follow a heavy meal.
Or...you know....for breakfast....
What?
It has strawberries...strawberries are fruit....
You are supposed to eat fruit for breakfast...

Be sure to stop by The Rustic Pig and Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons for some great links.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013