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A Chilly Birthday Cake for Those Hot Birthdays
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Written By:
Peter Griffiths
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It is traditional in most western countries, to celebrate a birthday with some sort of feast. The most celebrated item is of course the cake. After all if there is no cake, it’s not a birthday party!
Ok, now when we think of a birthday cake we most often think of something that has been baked. But there are many other alternatives that can add interest, appeal, excitement, fun and the most important of all….the yum factor.
Where I live, we have lots of hot weather….and what do kids love on a hot day…Ice-cream of course.
So what types of wonderfully exciting ice-cream cakes can we make?
You need to decide just how much time, effort and money you want invest in it. You could make the ice-cream or just buy it; you can do it yourself or delegate it. You could get the kids to help. Whatever you do, you must give some thought to what the guests will enjoy.
Personally, my time is very limited, so quick and easy really appeals.
Here is the easiest recipe I know.
Choc Cherry Challenge
(The challenge is to work quickly enough so that you do not have liquid icecream….the other challenge is not to eat it all by yourself)
You will need:
1-2 cans of preserved, pitted cherries, drained well, reserve the juice
Gelatine powder
1 tub of vanilla ice-cream, softened slightly.
Your favorite chocolate sauce (how much is entirely up to you)
Method
STEP ONE
Following the instructions on the gelatine packet, make a jello with the juice and gelatine powder, using the juice as the liquid.
Pour into a chilled spring form cake tin; lightly sprayed with a non-stick cooking spray.
Refrigerate - continued below ...
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continued ...
until set.(approx 1 hour)
This layer should only be about ¼ to ½ inch thick.
STEP TWO
Turn the ice cream out into a large bowl; gently mix the cherries into the ice-cream,
Pour the ice-cream into the cake tin,
Pour the chocolate sauce into the ice cream and swirl it through using a spatula. Do not over mix.
Work quickly and get the tin back into the freezer as soon as you can.
Note: you will lose about 25% of the volume of the ice-cream, because it has been softened. This is normal.
Freeze overnight.
Turn the ice-cream cake out and decorate it as your fancy takes you.
Variations:
You can be as adventurous, colorful or as crazy as you want. Remember that a cake for a 3 year old will be very different from a cake for a 23 year old.
Try these other ingredients for variety
Choc chips,
Candy,
Nuts,
Candied fruit,
Candied edible flowers,
Cake – crumbled,
Flavorings like sauces, toppings, syrups, etc
Booze (for adults only please) – the best results are obtained using spirits or liqueurs but don’t use too much.
Literally your choices are limited by your imagination.
For best results, you really should share this cake.
For other great ideas for your party event, go to www.inspiredparties.info
About the Author
Peter Griffiths is a chef, trained in the fine dining tradition, who specializes in pastries, cakes and desserts. He has a passion for food in all forms but now prefers to keep it simple.
He is the co-author of Inspired Parties: The Ultimate Party Planner For Children Ages 3-12 For Party Planning Parents, From Parents Who Care
http://www.inspiredparties.info
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