In reviewing our posts on ‘for the love of garlic’, I noticed that there were not a lot of desserts.  Perhaps it is because being busy and watching calories, desserts have become something of the past? (yeah, right!!)  The one time we all give ourselves permission to indulge freely is on our birthday!  So I decided to post on the birthday cake from my childhood, when summers seemed to last forever and grandmothers baked cookies and cakes and acted old!

My paternal grandmother Jewel always had this cake waiting for me when I arrived in the summer to celebrate my May birthday.  I still remember her kitchen and the cake sitting on the island in her fancy cake stand, white icing glistening invitingly and those bright red cherries, the perfect lure for a child!  She actually baked the angel food cake from scratch and cooked the 7 minute icing on the hot stove.  This modern day version is much quicker and doesn’t have near as much love in it, but flavor-wise it is equal to the original.  If she were alive today, I am sure Jewel would be ok with this version, because there is no doubt in my mind, she would be heading out to spend the day running around with her ‘old’ friends and not staying home cooking over a hot stove!

Angel Food Cake with Seven Minute Icing and Maraschino Cherries

1 purchased angel food cake

1 jar maraschino cherries

Seven Minute Icing

3/4 c. sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

1/4 c. boiling  water

1/4 tsp. cream of tartar

3 unbeaten egg whites

Mix sugar, cream of tartar, vanilla, egg whites and add boiling water.  Beat on high in mixer until mixture forms stiff peaks-approximately 5-7 minutes.

Ice Angel Food cake and top with maraschino cherries.   Dramatic presentation for a family dinner, or birthday is appropriate.  Only one warning:  Chocoholics will not find this the perfect dessert!

It is however, very low calorie for dessert!