Chocolate Cherry Trifle

One 8x8" brownie square (or other dry chocolate cake)
4 C boiled custard (or vanilla pudding)
4 oz cherry preserves
3-4 Tbs cherry liqueur
1/2 C slivered almonds, toasted
15 oz cherry pie filling(or fresh, pitted cherries, lots)
4 C whipped cream (2 C heavy cream whipped with 2 T xxxsugar until stiff)

In a deep glass dish, place bite sized pieces of cake or brownie. Drizzle with liqueur. Spread cherry preserves as a thin layer. Cover with pudding. Spread a layer of cherry pie filling or use lots of fresh pitted cherries. Sprinkle a few toasted almonds. Repeat the process until all the ingredients are used. Top with a thick layer of whipped creme to seal the trifle. Make decoration on top with cherries and almonds. Cover with saran and refrigerate overnight.

Boiled Custard
(from Joy of Cooking)

4 C milk, scalded
4 egg yolks
1/2 C sugar
1/4 tsp salt

In a double boiler, slowly add the slightly beaten egg yolks to the warm milk. Stir in the sugar and salt. Cook the custard over (not in) boiling water, stirring constantly. The custard should not be allowed to boil at any time. Do not expect it to be as firm as baked custard. It is more like a thick custard sauce. Again stir constantly until it begins to thicken. This takes longer than one would like. Remove from heat. As it cools, beat to release the steam. Before chilling, add flavoring, such as 1 tsp vanilla ( or rum or dry sherry).

Brownies

4 oz unsweetened bakers chocolate
2 C sugar
1 C butter
2 C flour
4 eggs
1 C pecans, chopped
1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp vanilla

Melt chocolate and butter in a double boiler. Remove from heat. Add sugar. Stir. Add eggs one at the time, stirring well after each. Add flour and salt. Stir. Add nuts. Stir. Add vanilla. Stir. Bake in two 8x8" prepared pans at 325 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

Pound Cake












1 lb butter
3 C sugar
8 oz cream cheese, cut into chunks
6 eggs
3 C flour, sifted
1 Tbs vanilla extract

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add two eggs, then a cup of flour, then a few chunks of cream cheese beating slowing in the mixer all the while. Repeat the process until all the eggs, cream cheese, and flour are blended into a thick batter. Add vanilla. Put thick batter into a prepared tube or bundt pan. Start in cold oven. Bake 1.5 hrs at 300 degrees.

Cool on wire rack for just a few minutes gently loosing the edges. Invert onto wire rack as soon as possible. Do not leave for any length of time in the pan as the cake will continue to cook and be too dry. Wrap in saran while still warm.

Trifle

Every hostess needs to perfect this elegant dessert for three reasons:

1. It can be made ahead.
2. It is easy to prepare.
3. It makes a pretty presentation.

The basis of this particular trifle is a leftover 8" square brownie cake which has been in my freezer for several months. Even though today is Saturday, I am thinking about this dessert for Tuesday. On hand I have the kirsch (cherry liqueur), fruit preserves, and toasted almonds. I will purchase some fresh cherries on Monday and perhaps a can of thickened pie cherries for backup. I will make a rich, boiled custard and store until ready to assemble. The whipping cream will be done at the last minute. For this task, I highly recommend chilling the mixing bowl and beaters.

If you have time, read this article.

Coconut Cake

Three part entry follows: yellow cake, coconut filling, white icing.

Comments are now enabled on this blog by clicking on the time.

There is nothing like

awaking early, before dawn, before anyone else in the household begins to stir, and reading Scripture. Psalms 25, 35, 55, 85, 115, 145.

My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord; and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.

Test Post

This is a nominal entry to see if the change to my template to allow comments was successful. There was so much to say and do since my last post, but each day went by before I had a chance to express myself publically.

Back in Business

This theological stuff is just going to have to take a back seat to cooking and recipes right now. Although chapters 9 through 14 of Mrs. Schaeffer's book get less attention from me, I do intend to work through them.

For over twenty years I have owned and used a KitchenAid mixer. I love to bake cakes. I started cooking when I was eight years old. Today I received a replacement part (wire whisk) which is going to make Thanksgiving and Christmas meals easier to prepare.

Look for my recipes over the coming week: Yellow Cake, Coconut Filling, Seven Minute Icing, Pound Cake, Boiled Custard, Whipped Cream. Maybe I will throw in some non-sweet ones like Cranberry Sauce, Cornbread Dressing, and Mushrooms and Pearl Onions side dish.

Applying Divinely-revealed Political Proverbs

Number Two
Sanctity of Human Life

Find out how your representative(s) vote on legislation pertaining to abortion and euthanasia. Think about those in authority who have influence in these areas, ie your physician. Do you know where abortions are performed in the county where you live?

Often times leaders will side step voicing their opinions on abortion and euthanasia, saying that they dont have the jurisdiction or opportunity (for voting.) However, it IS a good litmus test.

Check out Dr. Grant's blog and sign the petition at the American Family Association.

Do you know anyone who lives and votes in Pennsylvania?

Applying Divinely-revealed Political Proverbs

Number One
I hope and pray that each and every one of the newly elected and re-elected officials all over the United States would publically 1) pledge allegiance to the Lord Jesus Christ and 2)covenant with God to govern solely in terms of God's revealed law.

Proverbs 28:4-5

I recommend that you read Parker Hudson's The President.

Thankful Thursdays

Today's blog highlight is Kelly. So between Marvelous Mondays and Friday Fives, I should have entries fairly often.

Now, which one of y'all can come over and give me a lesson in setting up my sidebars?

Post Lunar Eclipse

Just thought I would post a poem by St Augustine. I had always heard the last line, but never the context. So, in response to Linda's Marvelous Mondays, I commented on God's wonders in the lunar eclipse. And this prayer seems to fit the marvel.

O God, by whose laws the poles revolve, the stars follow their courses.
The sun rules the day and the moon presides over the night;
And all the world maintains, as far as this world of sense allows,
The wondrous stability of things by means of the order and recurrences of seasons:
Through the days by the changing of light and darkness.
Through the months by the moon's progressions and declines,
Through the years by the successions of Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter,
Through the cycles by the completion of the Sun's course,
Through the great eras of time by the return of the stars to their starting points.
God of life, There are days when the burdens we carry chafe our shoulders and wear us down;
When the road seems dreary and endless, The skies grey and threatening;
When our lives have no music in them and our hearts are lonely.
And our souls have lost their courage. Flood the path with light.
We beseech you; Turn our eyes to where the skies are full of promise.
Our hearts are restless, O Lord, until they rest in you.