Search
Recommended Products
Related Links


 

 

Informative Articles

Chinchillas As Pets
CHINCHILLAS You may wish to consider a chinchilla. They are in the rodent family, (but it doesn't seem that way). Chins have incredible velvety fir, and they resemble a chubby squirrel with micky mouse type ears. They are nocturnal,...

Need Plus Size Apparel? No Problem
When choosing plus size apparel it is probably more important than you think at the time. Just because something looks good on your friend doesn’t always mean it will give you the same effect. Most women commit the sin of trying to look like someone...

The Narcissist and His Family
We are all members of a few families in our lifetime: the one that we are born to and the one(s) that we create. We all transfer hurts, attitudes, fears, hopes and desires – a whole emotional baggage – from the former to the latter. The...

The Top 10 Life Lessons Your Child Can Learn from Playing Golf
During the last seven years, I have watched my son and his friends grow up in the world of Junior Golf. This amazing sport has brought out the best in these young men, and has taught them so many valuable life lessons. I am forever impressed, in...

Where do you Cast?
“Cast all your anxiety on Him for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7. I don’t know if you have ever been fly-fishing or maybe you have seen it on TV. When you go fly fishing you cast your bait way down the river and let it float. That way the...

 
Google
A Chilly Birthday Cake for Those Hot Birthdays



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


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