Spumoni Layer Cake

There are some recipes you can whip up at a moments notice and enjoy in a little over 30 minutes...this is no such recipe.

When Lewis graduated with his BA, I decided to turn one of his favorite ice cream flavors into a cake - the result was a three-flavored tier masterpiece of epic proportions aka the Spumoni Cake.

Cherry Cobbler for Two (if you're nice)

Man, I have been on a cherry kick lately. Do you ever get those food cravings that come outta nowhere?! Well that's me right now, I mayyy or may not have consumed 2-3 pounds of cherries within the past couple of weeks...and by weeks I mean days. :/

So why the cherry? Well, they're sweet and flavorful and they don't have thick, bitter skins like grapes do (no offense grapes). This food craving all started because we're actually taking a mini summer vacation and visiting our families in Jax soon so I have been trying to cut back a little since I haven't actually seen myself in a bathing suit in.... probably 2 years (yikes). When I "cut back" I don't eat less food, I just try to incorporate more fruits and veggies, hence the cherries. I found out through desperation (aka I hadn't gone to the grocery store in over a week and it was between this and an unripened peach) that frozen cherries are a tasty treat in the heat of summer (and you don't have to worry about pits which is a bonus).

I feel less crazy about my food obsessions if I transform them into different recipes, like cherry cobbler for instance. Plus I still feel not so guilty when the majority of the dessert is fruit so it's technically healthy I'm I right?

Sweet, slightly tart, and topped with crumbly goodness - I understand if you don't want to share.

Cherry Cobbler for Two

1 (8oz) bag of frozen dark sweet cherries
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 tsp almond extract
1/2 tsp corn starch
1/4 cup water

for the topping...

1/2 cup cold butter
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 quick rolled oats
1/4 cup AP flour
1/4 tsp salt

Directions

1.In a medium size sauce pan add frozen cherries, water, sugar, and almond extract, bring to a simmer on medium low heat then add corn starch. Stir regularly for about 5 min. or until mixture has thickened (you may need to add some additional water if mixture become too thick).
2.Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
3.When cherry mixture has thickened, remove from heat and let cool. Add to two buttered ramekins. To make the topping, add all ingredients to food processor and pulse until crumbles form - distribute over cherries and bake in oven for 15-20 or until golden brown on top. Enjoy on it's own or with a dollop of vanilla ice cream if you're feelin' crazy.

Cherry Orange Gummy Pops

Question: Does anyone remember those Timon and Pumbaa gummy popsicles?! Well I do, and I simply had to bring the sweet nostalgia of the 90s back into my life.

I have actually been wanting to make these for yearssss but I am sad to say that we live in a world where it is actually difficult, nay, impossible to come across tiny gummy bug candy. So I ended up having to compromise and cut gummy worms into tiny pieces, not as cool looking but they got the job done.

There is something magical that happens what you add otherwise revolting gummy candy to frozen desserts, their texture completely changes and you get a chewy, yet firm, little fruit flavored treat with every bite. I decided on orange and cherry because that was one of the original combo flavors but you could easily sub out your favorite fruits. I found that the addition of yogurt (preferably one with a high fat content) makes for a popsicle with a creamy consistency with less ice crystals. Also, if you want to use sugar instead of honey or agave nectar you should cook it down with the fruit on the stove top and then cool in order to melt the sugar.

Cherry Orange Gummy Pops

makes 8-10 popsicles

1 (8oz) bag of frozen dark sweet cherries
1/4 tsp almond extract
1-2 TBS honey (depending on how sweet you like it)
2 (5.3oz) vanilla yogurt cup (one for cherry, one for orange)
1 cup of freshly squeezed orange juice
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
Splash of milk

1 package of gummy worms or gummy bugs if you can find them - I challenge you

1.In a blender, add cherries, honey, almond extract and yogurt and blend until smooth. you might have to add a little splash of milk if you're having trouble blending. Transfer to a bowl with a pour spout and set aside. Rinse out the blender,
2.For the orange, add orange juice, honey, vanilla, and yogurt blend until smooth, if you need some extra liquid for blending add a splash of milk or heavy cream.

To assemble:

1.Gather popsicle molds, add a couple of pieces of gummy candy then add a little bit of orange mix, followed by more gummy candy and then the cherry mix. Place in freezer until frozen (about 2 hours) to help release the pops from the mold, run warm water over the mold until it loosens up slightly.