Red, White & Blue Dessert

Yesterday I talked about what to wear on July 4th, and now it’s time to talk about what to eat, a sweet treat that’s perfect for celebrating Independence Day. Not only is it delicious, it’s color themed to go perfectly with all things red, white and blue.

Have you ever tried to make an angel food cake from scratch? Well if you have and it turned out, then my hats off to you. If you haven’t, let me just say don’t bother. I tried it once and it was a fiasco.  I consider myself to be able to bake most anything, but angel food cake from scratch does not fall under that heading. As long as there are boxed Angel Food cake mixes in my grocery store, I am good to go.

This dessert screams summer and especially 4th of July. Angel Food cakes are light and just perfect for that sweetness we all crave at the end of our cookouts. My mom made a few different angel food cake based desserts when I was growing up, but the berry compote on this cake is a recipe I got from my mother-in-laws cousin. I’m such a chocoholic I would have never thought I’d like something like this so much. It’s super easy and takes minimal effort to throw together, but looks like you really pulled something special off. #whodoesntlovethat

Here are the things you’ll need.

Mix the angel food cake mix according to the package instructions and put in an angel food cake pan. I have 2 of these. This one is new and has the “feet” on it so you can turn it upside down on the counter. My old one didn’t have “feet”, so I’d insert a soy sauce bottle or some other kind with a long skinny neck and then hang the cake upside down to cool. This keeps the cake from going flat.

While the cake is baking, combine the jar of jelly and lemon juice in a sauce pan so the jelly can dissolve. Once they’ve come together into a sauce, pour into a bowl and allow to cool, then add berries.

All that’s left is to cut the cake and assemble the servings on plates.

This sauce is also delicious on vanilla yogurt if you have some left over.

Angel Food Cake with Tangy Berries

Angel Food Cake Mix

Jar of Red Raspberry Jelly (I like seedless)

1/4 cup of lemon juice

Container of blueberries

1-2 containers of raspberries

Cool Whip

Make cake according to directions on box.

While the cake is baking, place the jar of jelly in a small saucepan and add 1/4 cup of lemon juice. Heat to dissolve jelly. Once all combined, remove from heat and allow to cool. Combine {washed} fruit and jelly/lemon juice combo in a bowl.

Slice cooled cake, spoon on compote and top with Cool Whip.

This dessert couldn’t be easier. Well maybe it could. You could always use a store-bought angel food cake in a pinch.

Enjoy!