Love in Bloom

Hello All!

As we progress into June, with the *official* start of summer quickly approaching, my mind inevitably drifts to my favorite seasonal summer foods. While the list is LONG, I would definitely say that some of the first things on said list are corn and berries. I LOVE berries, I've never met a berry I didn't like. And the jump from *berries* to *dessert* is a very short one, at least in my head. So, today, in the spirit of Summer, I offer you one of my favorite simple, seasonally appropriate desserts, from the recipe files of my awesome Mommy :) This dessert is a snap to make, creamy, sweet, but not overpowering, and has one of the most beautiful names I've ever heard: Love in Bloom :)

Love in Bloom

Crust:
-12-15 graham crackers, crushed (this can be done by pulsing them in a food processor for a few seconds or by placing them in a plastic bag and crushing with a rolling pin, etc)
-1/4 cup sugar
-1/4 cup butter, melted

Filling:
- 1 3oz package cream cheese, softened
-1/2 cup 10x (confectioner's) sugar
-1/2 teaspoon vanilla
-1 cup heavy cream, whipped
-a few cups fresh berries of your choice (strawberries, rapsberries, blueberries, cherries, etc. whatever is in season and/or looks good to you. A mix of the above is also lovely)

For the Crust:
-Preheat oven to 375oF
-combine crushed graham crackers, sugar and butter
-Press mixture into 9-inch pie plate (a tart pan of similar size would work too)
- Bake at 375oF for 8 minutes, allow crust to cool before filling

Filling:
-cream sugar and cream cheese together, add vanilla
-Fold whipped cream into mixture
-pour into graham cracker crust, smooth top with spatula and top with fruit of choice.
-Refrigerate to chill thoroughly before serving

This dessert would be a lovely ending to a light summer meal, or a nice contrast to a heavier *barbeque* meal. And, I'll admit it, I have been known to eat this for breakfast if there are leftovers (don't judge me). Eat this outside on the patio or porch around sunset to achieve summer nirvana :)

Until we chat again :)
Lynn