It’s kind of like the cowboy who swaps out his black hat worn in fall and winter for a lighter color or straw hat for warmer seasons. So it is with desserts. As we approach summer we tend to move away from heavier, chocolaty desserts to lighter, brighter treats, and lemon is right there on top of the list. Recipes for Lemon Meringue Pie, Lemon Chiffon Cake, Lemon Squares, Lemon Tarts, Lemon Mousse and Lemon Cookies seem to come out of hibernation this time of year and appear regularly at Easter buffets, picnics and pool parties. Then there’s the luscious Lemon Angel Dessert with alternating layers of homemade lemon custard, angel food cake pieces and whipped cream. Light yet rich, it’s the perfect make-ahead dessert that can sit in the refrigerator for several days and it just gets better as it sits. There are tons of old-timey recipes for Lemon Angel Dessert where the egg yolks are cooked and the raw egg whites are folded in, which is a concern to many people. So, I was delighted to find this recipe for Lemon Angel Dessert that replaces the eggs whites with whipping cream. (The egg yolks are cooked with sugar and lemon juice.) By itself, the flavor and texture of angel food cake is unmistakable, but when layered and soaked with lemon custard and whipping cream, Lemon Angel Dessert is just pure heaven!
unflavored gelatin
Strawberry Jello-O Slushie
Lemon Velvet Pie
LEGO Gummy Candies
The Story
What happens when two beloved heritage brands meet up in the kitchen? If it’s LEGO and Jell-O, you end up with a whole lot of fun and the cutest gummy candies imaginable. The best part is that all you need to turn your heart of the home into a fun factory is an ice cube tray or candy mold plus four ingredients: unflavored gelatin, Karo Syrup, Jell-O, and water! What you end up with are colorful, pliable, and deliciously edible treats. When the how-to for this adorable food craft hit the internet a while back, LEGO stores across the country ran out of LEGO ice cube trays, and I can see why. Fortunately, many other candy, chocolate, and ice cube molds work just fine. Bright colors and fun flavors are no problem. Just pick your favorite Jell-O variety, follow the simple instructions below, and pour it into your desired mold. This is a great kitchen craft to do with kids. Let them make their own gummy candies for their snacks and lunch boxes. However, it’s not just the kids who will love this idea. Imagine ending a dinner party with a bowl of homemade gourmet gummies. Go on, have a little fun! I did just that, and those yummy gummies were the topic of conversation the entire night.
About the Molds:
LEGO ice cube trays are available at The LEGO Store (Arrowhead Mall and Chandler Mall).
Chocolate and candy molds in the shape of LEGO’s can be found at ABC Cake Decorating in Phoenix.
