Yummy Dessert Recipe

Last night Bob and I hosted our Tables of Eight dinner. Our church has several groups of Tables of Eight and we are in one of them. We take turns going to each others homes for dinner. Bob and I decided to host the first one for our group for this season. We made Paella, a green salad, bread and this wonderful dessert called "Chocolate icebox Cake with Mascarpone and Blackberries". I got the recipe from chowhound.com -- a website I was introduced to from my nephew Eric, who used to be a chef and enjoys cooking. This dessert was delicious and I got rave reviews! Here is the recipe in case you are interested in trying it for yourself. It was quick and easy too.

INGREDIENTS for the Cake

2 cups heavy cream
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup blackberry liqueur
2 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 8-oz. container mascarone cheese
2 9-oz. packages chocolate wafer cookies, such as Nabisco Famous Chocolate Wafers
Fresh blackberries, for garnish

INGREDIENTS for the Coulis

1/2 pound blackberries
1/2 pound granulated sugar -- 1 1/8 cups
1/4 cup blackberry liqueur

Combine cream, sugar, vanilla extract, blackberry liqueur, cocoa powder and mascarone in a large bowl. Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat until firm peaks form. Set aside.

In the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan, arrange 12 cookies in a circle to form a base. Spread about 1/3 cup of the whipped cream mixture evenly to cover. Repeat layering the cookies and cream until all the cookies are used; top with remaining cream mixture. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 5 hrs. or overnight.

Combine berries, sugar and liqueur in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Let cook until syrupy and reduced by half, about 10 minutes.

Transfer to a blender or food processor and puree until smooth. Strain through a fine mesh sieve, pushing on the mixture with a rubber spatula, to strain out the seeds. Set aside to cool.

Garnish with blackberries and serve with Blackberry Coulis.

Enjoy!