Today I show you what to do if you happen to have leftover red and blue cake lying around. Because as us home bakers know, that happens often (not!). Among all the goodies I brought home after last weekend’s epic Cake Day party was a big bag of cake trimmings. I got all the castoffs from Jen’s Mondrian Cake effort in the brightest shades of red, blue, yellow, and white. They took on new life as Fourth Of July Berry Trifle. Happy Independence Day, friends in the USA!
Two years ago I made similarly patriotic sweet treats also from leftover ingredients. This year, it is just as simple. Whip up a batch of pastry cream, soak cake pieces with strawberry liquor syrup, pick the best looking berries in red and blue, and start layering. Even if you don’t have cake scrapes in primary colours, I promise that your trifle will still look quite pretty.
I can’t get over the vibrant colours of the cake. I generally shy away from playing with food colouring just because I don’t like the mess. But since Jen did all the dirty work, I was more than happy to give the lemon pound cake trimmings a good home. The trifles looked festive enough for the occasion but I wanted some over-the-top decoration. Sparklers crossed my mind until I remembered that they only last a few seconds. And then I would be looking at burnt sticks stuck in the glasses like incense at Chinese temples. Not a good look.
After my workout last night, I took a stroll in the supermarket looking for decorating ideas. You see, in Canada, stores do not keep a section of seasonal decorations in the colours of the Old Glory. Luckily, I found my inspiration in the meagre craft department. And by department I meant shelf. A bag of self adhesive foam die cut stars covered with multicolour glitter for the bargain price of $0.59! Add a handful of toothpicks and I made a bunch of festive star picks. Score!
So I add one more line to the already simple instruction. Stick star picks into trifle and present your Fourth of July dessert as if you spent hours on them. I heard the beer, burgers, and party are waiting.
