Just Simple Desserts

Put away those frostings and meringue topping .Summer is here and it's time to start paring down desserts. You no longer have to have rich tortes or trifles. This is the time of year for simple sweets - homemade cakes and crumbles that involve fresh fruit and cream. It's also a time to think easy - fridge cakes and 1-2-3 puddings.

If you do insist on baking or even buying cake think pound. A slice of any flavor of pound cake with fresh berries and Cool Whip is a nice touch to any summer birthday meal. Pound cake is relatively easy to make . The only real headache is heating up the oven for almost two hours on a hot day. However many markets sell freshly made ones from plain to chocolate chip to marble . You can easily buy one and then dress it up anyway you like. Cobblers and crumbles are also a snap to whip up and fun to make; especially if you have fresh picked berries or peaches to add to them.

If you want something fancier, look no further than fridge cakes and rice pudding. There are some quick refrigerator cakes to make that suit any occasion from shower to barbecue. The most famous one is the chocolate wafer with whipped topping This log is wonderful and you and do so many variations with it. Add mint flavoring to the cream before assembling. Or serving raspberries with it on the side. Another great recipe is the Nilla wafer cake that involves Nabisco;s Nilla wafers and vanilla pudding. This last has graced many a picnic table. Rice pudding is a simple summer dessert that can also be varied. You can add pistachios for an Indian vibe or almonds and lemon. Some go the traditional route with raisins and cinnamon.

Summer is here and it;s a time for simple desserts. Try a slice of pound cake or a parfait glass of rice pudding at your next gathering. They are a sweet light ending to nay barbecue or picnic.