COLD OVEN POUND CAKE WITH STRAWBERRIES AND WHIPPED CREAM

Last March my grandson, Alex, had his first birthday party.  It was a farm themed party and soooo cute.  Alex had a birthday smash cake but my daughter and I made these cute little desserts out of empty baby food jars and served them to the children instead of birthday cakes or cupcakes.  It was so simple to do.  We used my pound cake recipe, topped with chopped, fresh strawberries and homemade whipped cream.  We used a stamp to put the "happy birthday" on the wooden spoons. I purchased both from Etsy (it has been a year so I cannot remember which companies though).  Just look for mini wooden dessert spoons. Then we wrapped the spoon around the jar with decorative colored string.

It occurred to me that this dessert and idea would be perfect for bringing to a Super Bowl party.  For the Patriots, you could wrap the jar with blue and red string and still use the fresh strawberries.  For the Seahawks, you could use fresh blueberries and wrap the jar with blue and green string.  You could do a mixture if you are not sure who you want to win.

You have 6 days to hit up any friends who have small children to save their baby food jars so start now.  I think we made about 30.

This dessert is super easy and it looks so festive. 

One of the best parts is you could actually make your pound cake anytime this week, wrap it in saran wrap, and then put it in the freezer.  Take it out the night before and let it thaw.  Chop your strawberries and whip up some fresh whipped cream.  Blueberries just have to be rinsed.  If you don't want to make your own whipped cream you can use Cool Whip.  I will say though, there is a big difference between the two.  I would definitely go to the extra trouble.  It only takes about a minute or two.  Make sure no one throws their jars away.  Just pop them in the dishwasher and put them away for your next party!  These jars are so versatile.

 

 

SUPER BOWL MVP PARFAITS

Pound Cake (click here to go to my recipe)
Don't forget you can make this ahead and freeze, taking it out of the freezer the night before you  want to use it.

Strawberries (chopped into bite sized pieces)Blueberries, Raspberries (whatever fruit you like),

Fresh Whipped Cream (or Cool Whip)

Cube your pound cake into small, bite-size pieces (You may not need it all so I would just start with half of the cake.  Save the rest to serve in slices, if you like)

Place a dollop of fresh Whipped Cream into the bottom of the jar

Place a few pieces of cubed pound cake.

Gently spoon berries on top...leave room for the whipped cream.

Put a dollop of whipped cream on top of the berries.

Place a couple of chopped strawberries, blueberries or a raspberry on top.


FRESH WHIPPED CREAM

1 cup of Whipping Cream
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Put bowl that you will use to mix in into the freezer for at least 15 minutes with the beaters.

Take bowl out of freezer and pour in whipping cream, sugar and vanilla.

Beat on high until stiff peaks form.

Do not beat too long or it will become lumpy like butter.

ENJOY!