Monday, June 27, 2011

Blueberry Cream Squares


From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...I love the celebrations of summer and the simple foods we've come to associate with them. Show me a marching band, throw in some fireworks and I'll pull out a virtual parade of recipes to help celebrate the occasion. Most come from memories garnered under the hot and hazy skies of my Midwestern childhood. These dishes are not for the health or diet conscious, but because they are served just once a year, I feel no need to apologize for the wretched excesses that will appear here over the next few days. I wanted to start with an old-fashioned dessert that is trying to make a comeback. These use to be called icebox cakes, the most famous of which is the still popular chocolate wafer cake. An icebox cake can loosely be defined as a cake that does not require baking. Cake slices, cookies, or crumbs of some type, are used as a base to hold the layers of the cake together. Almost all of them use copious amounts of heavy cream, though it is possible to make them with lower calorie whipped topping. I've always insisted that fresh fruit cancels the calories in whipped cream, so my icebox cakes always contain some type of fruit. Ergo, this cake is good for you. Kinda. Good or bad, this was part of our 4th of July celebration when I was a child. If you'd like to take a stroll down memory lane, the recipe follows.

Blueberry Cream Squares...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite adapted from Farm Journal

Ingredients:

1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
3/4 cup (6 ounces) blueberry yogurt
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
3/4 cup cold water
3/4 cup sugar, divided
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
6 tablespoons butter, melted
1 cup fresh blueberries
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream, whipped

Directions:
1) Combine sour cream and yogurt in a small bowl. Set aside.
2) Sprinkle gelatin over cold water in a small saucepan and let stand for 1 minute. Add 1/2 cup sugar. Cook and stir over low heat until gelatin is completely dissolved.
3) Remove from heat; stir in vanilla and sour cream mixture until blended. Transfer to a large bowl. Chill until partially set.
4) Combine graham cracker crumbs, butter and reserved 1/4 cup sugar in a small bowl. Set aside 1/4 cup for topping. Press remaining crumb mixture into an ungreased 8-inch square dish. Set aside.
5) Stir blueberries into partially set gelatin mixture. Fold in whipped cream. Spoon into crust. Sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture. Chill until set. Refrigerate leftovers. Yield: 9 servings







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Two Years Ago Today: Blue Corn Muffins








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80 comments :

Jennifer said...

That is gorgeous and only 1/2 cup of cream not bad at all. This would be a perfect 4th of July dessert!

sangeeta said...

This is one gorgeous dessert..

Inspired by eRecipeCards said...

just have to laugh... so many "once a year" desserts... so little time.

Decadent and beautiful

Heather S-G said...

Oh my gosh, this dessert reminds me of one that my grandma makes that my mom and uncles request for every family get together...only she uses cherries instead of blueberries. I love this version, I'll have to bring it to the next get together and see how everybody likes it!

Rita said...

Love this terrific recipe and a brand new discovery for me; we live in blueberry country, so this is a keeper.
Rita

Carol @ There's Always Thyme to Cook said...

They look so good, and I love that I wouldn't have to turn the oven on!

Kelly said...

These look incredibly creamy and I'm always a fan of blueberries so this flavor combo definitely works for me. You could even stud it with other berries depending on what is in season.

Lucie said...

Your post is so evocative, Mary! I'm looking forward to celebrating the 4th of July, even if it's at work with my french colleagues!

lena said...

i read with delight knowing that we can put away the oven to produce such loving piece of dessert!

Food Glorious Food! said...

Did you just say no bake!! WOW! This will be a wonder recipe with my visiting sister in law! Thanks and have a great week ahead!

Tracy's Living Cookbook said...

This was interesting for me to read - I had never heard of a 'cream' square before! They look refreshing!

Whats Cookin Italian Style Cuisine said...

perfect dessert for the upcoming summer get togethers, light, refreshing and bursting with flavor!

Lenia said...

What a refreshing and yummy dessert!I love it!

From the Kitchen said...

I did not see any blueberries in the California farmer's markets while we were there. Here in the midwest, our's made an appearance on Saturday. Right now we are just eating them by the handful but will soon start turning them into baked treats and your squares look like a perfect way to start.

Best,
Bonnie

Anonymous said...

A perfect summer dessert - they look beautiful
Mary x

Nicole@HeatOvenTo350 said...

I love this type of recipe for the summer. It looks beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Our one-year-old little girl is nuts about blueberries. Could eat them five meals a day. So I'm filing away every and all blueberry recipes ... putting this one at the top!

Maris (In Good Taste) said...

Great way to celebrate the 4th!

Anonymous said...

this is just the best looking summer desert,, perfect!

Ginny Hartzler said...

I have never made an ice-box cake! They were really popular in the fifties, though. Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever eaten one, either.

Joanne said...

I feel like we're all a bit more active in the summer anyway, so indulgences like this don't hurt as much. I love that creamy filling!

My Farmhouse Kitchen said...

blueberry cream squares ????

oh YES!!! i love this...

so summery and 4th of july

it's on my list to make this summer

kary

Y said...

This is going to be my first 4th of July in the US. Maybe I should accompany it with your wonderful recipe!

PeggyR said...

Those sound very good and I do have blueberries!

Reshmi Mahesh said...

A tempting piece...loved the whole look of it and the way the cute blueberries are arranged.

Barbara said...

A lovely summer dessert, Mary! I remember those chocolate wafer ice box cake. One thing it had going for it...it was easy and quick.
Now this one with blueberries is ideal. Perfect when you're grilling out. It doesn't LOOK fattening. :)

Anonymous said...


oh.. so nice post.)
Love your blog.))

I now spend a survey of bloggers with such questions.
1. Why did you create a blog?
2. For whom you taking him? Want to be popular?
3. How long will it keep going?

safire said...

This looks amazing! Blueberries are on sale too :) this looks so refreshing and yummy!

Donna Elick said...

What a fabulous dessert for the summer time!

Clint said...

Truly inviting and decadent. That's what I'm lookin' for.

Jessica | Cajunlicious said...

This is one bite of Heaven!

Barbara said...

This sounds fabulous!! A refreshing summer treat!

Nathalia said...

Qué buena pinta! se ve exquisito.
Un abrazo

Unknown said...

dont apologize, bring on the recipes. These look wonderful.

Pauline said...

Looks like a refreshing dessert, perfect for summer. Haha, love the rationale between whipped cream and fresh fruit canceling each other out. That's what I say too about my desserts and indulgences: as long as there is some amount of real fruit or vegetable inside, it's all good!

Alessandra said...

Are you getting ready for the 4th of July? I am also collecting a few blue recipes at the moment (for a different reason) so good to see some around :-).
The slice looks perfect, and what a cut!

Ciao
Alessandra

Swathi said...

Blueberry cream squares looks awesome perfect.

Simple cake recipes said...

this is just the perfect dessert for summer day.. it's so refreshing!

Tanna said...

I love strolling down memory lane and this sounds like a delicious way to do it! thank you, Mary. blessings ~ tanna

Ryan said...

This is such a beautiful summery dessert! Ice box cakes in the summertime are such a great idea! This sounds delicious.

Gloria Baker said...

Look absolutely georgeous, I love these blueberry cream squares! Love it! gloria

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Mary, what a perfect dessert for the 4th. It not only sounds good it's just down right pretty.
hugs ~lynne~

Sue said...

Oh my, blueberry+cream (+ everything else)=yummy!

What's next said...

I looks yummy! I came home with 5 pounds of fresh blueberries from the blueberry farm in Missouri...I'm looking for things to do with it.

Arlene Delloro said...

Always loved mom's chocolate ice book cake. This one looks absolutely wonderful and just in time for blueberry season.

Gwen said...

I love this variation from cheesecake which believe it or not I've never cared for. *Gasp!
I too love simple summer foods, especially berries and desserts! ;)

eimm said...

I love your blueberry recipes!!! Blueberries are one of my favorite things ever and its hard to know what to do with them sometimes. Your recipies are awesome and this one looks delicious!!! :)

scrambledhenfruit said...

Well, since fresh fruit cancels out the calories in whipped cream, bring it on! I love creamy desserts like this one- it's gorgeous! :)

Chelsea said...

Wow, wow, wow, these look like serious treats! Oh gosh, and so perfect for a summery dessert! I'm thinking it would be a perfect dish for the 4th :)

Jocie's Mom said...

Fabulous treat! By the looks of those ingredients it packs quite yummy punch. I love desserts with sour cream :)

muppy said...

mmmm looks delicious! i love this style of sweets.

polwig said...

These blueberry creams look so good. I made similar ones with raspberries once... I am so drooling... yum

Jeannie said...

I am always amazed how you can cut your cakes into such neat squares...I almost always make a mess of mine! This dessert of yours looks gorgeous and delicious!

Kim said...

Blueberry and cream, what a perfect summer treat. I loooooovvveeee these squares, they look so perfect, so good! I'm waiting the blueberries season!

Katarina said...

What a lovely dessert!

Buttercup said...

My mother used to do chocolate ice box cake for a very special treat. I think the blueberry would be delicious and a very special treat.

David said...

Mary, What's not to like about Blueberry Cream Squares! A real winner! I Love blueberries to start with...and you've given me a new way to enjoy them! Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

mia xara said...

Very refreshing and delicious, Mary!I,also, tend to ignore calories from cream and concentrate on the antioxidants in the blueberries...haha

Unknown said...

Mary, this looks so delicious! I love ice box cakes...this one is perfect for a 4th July week! Thanks for posting

That Girl said...

Whether or not they cancel out the calories, I think fresh fruit adds to any cake.

Anonymous said...

Mary, your blueberry cream squares are a perfect tea time treat - they really look scrumptious.
:-) Mandy

Anonymous said...

I always say that food shared does not contain calories :)

My Little Space said...

Mary, this cream square looks incredibly good. How I wish I can have some right now. This is a quick & simple dessert which I love very much. Thanks again. Hope you're enjoying your day.
Best regards, Kristy

Priya Suresh said...

Gorgeous squares,tempts me a lot..

Little Inbox said...

Yum yum, give me a piece please, I'm hungry now...

Sweet Artichoke said...

A beautiful and delicious dessert! Love that biscuits crumble on the top!

Anonymous said...

Lovely! This is a unique recipe that I must try. I'm thinking that it's less like cheesecake (which I don't like) and more like something else. Blueberries are my favorite fruit.
Karen

The Blonde Duck said...

Sometimes you just need tastiness.

Unknown said...

Bring on the fat and calories!! I love these types of desserts! Reminds me of those summers in the midwest to! :)

Emily Malloy said...

These are incredible!

penny aka jeroxie said...

It is ok to have desserts. Just moderation ;)

Cooking Creation said...

This would make a lovely addition to my 4th of July picnic! Thanks for sharing :)

Merisi said...

Yummy! :-)

June said...

Mary - it has to be good for you with blueberries and yogurt doesn't it? It's my story and I'm stickin' to it. Looks delicious and I can't wait to try it.

Mother Rimmy said...

Every time I visit your blog, I come away with something I just have to try!

Faith said...

I can't think of a better way to celebrate summer than blueberries and cream...these look wonderful, Mary! Hope your week is off to a great start!

Sutapa said...

Mary I drool every time I visit your blog! Beautiful super gorgeous dessert!

Gen said...

This looks fabulous! I love blueberries and your dessert looks very nice and delicate!

Anonymous said...

I am a sucker for any recipe that includes blueberries and cream! This looks delicious!

Bizzy said...

This would be perfect for my leftover blueberries.

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