August 2012 

Independence Day Cakes

Graphics laid out diagonally on square cake.

*I wasn't sure whether I should put this in the 'Hollywood' or 'Bollywood' category instead ;-)

The years I lived in the Belmont Heights neighborhood of Long Beach offered a wonderful opportunity for me to host 4th of July. We'd barbeque by the pool and then walk down to Belmont Shore to watch the fireworks over the Queen Mary. I believe it was on one such occasion that Monica Pomeranz introduced me to festively decorating a cake with fresh fruit to resemble the American flag, beginning a new tradition. One can get creative with the base, but I prefer to use cake for lightness and chocolate for the flavor. A whipped topping that can not only hold the fruit, but also its shape, balances out this dessert with creamy, cool and refreshing qualities. Raspberries are my choice for the red element.

For a friend's recent impromptu barbeque, I was inspired by Indian Independence Day. Putting something together as quickly as the idea came, I used mango, kiwi and champagne grapes on the usual and convenient boxed cake mix. Next time I'll use blueberries for the wheel and create an Indian-flavored cake.

 Color-Themed Jello Shots

These have been a signature holiday party treat of mine for many years now. Clear cups show off the colors and vanilla vodka helps them go down smoothly, as well as the cool whip topping that serves both the taste and color palette-pleasing elements.