Strawberry Basket Quilt Block and an Old Fashioned Music Night with Helen's Strawberry Cream Cake



Strawberry Basket Quilt Block


In Wedding Ring by Emilie Richards, Helen is teaching neighbor Cissy how to make a quilt for her upcoming baby.  Cissy invites Helen, Nancy, and Tessa to an old-fashioned music night on the Claibornes' lawn for music and supper.  The women bring Helen's Strawberry Cream Cake.  The author, Emilie Richards, graciously provided the recipe for the cake when I asked her for it.  Such a treat!  Enjoy!

Helen’s Strawberry Cream Cake

1 (10”) prepared or homemade angel food cake
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1/3 cup lemon juice
2 cups fresh strawberries, chopped
3-4 cups Cool Whip

1.  Cut a 1-inch slice crosswise from top of cake and set aside.

2.  With a sharp knife, cut cake away from the center, leaving the walls and bottom 1 inch thick.
3.  Remove cake from center.  Cut into cubes and reserve.
4.  In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until fluffy; then beat in condensed milk until smooth.  Add lemon juice a little at a time, stirring after every addition.  (If you add too much at one time or overbeat, you may cause curdling.)
5.  Fold in the cake cubes and strawberries.  Fill the cavity with strawberry mixture.
6.  Replace the top slice and chill at least 3 hours.
7.  Frost with Cool Whip and garnish with additional strawberries.    

Note:  Pioneer Woman has a slightly different version here with illustrated step by step directions, if that would be useful to you.


Member Dee is coming to the old-fashioned music night and bringing her delicious Caramel Peach Pie! 

Dee's Caramel Peach Pie

1 double crust pie (like Pillsbury)
1 (29 ounce) can sliced peaches
1 (16 ounce) can sliced peaches
3/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
3 Tablespoons flour
A pinch of salt
1/4 cup + 2 Tablespoons juice, drained from peaches
1/4 cup + 2 Tablespoons margarine or butter
3 teaspoons lemon juice

1.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2.  Drain peaches, reserving juice.
3.  Place peaches in pastry-lined, 9-inch pie plate.
4.  Blend juice and flour.  Combine with remaining ingredients and cook until thick.  Pour over peaches.
5.  Lattice the top crust.  Bake 30-40 minutes or until crust is golden brown.  (The peaches are canned, so we are only baking the crust.)

In Wedding Ring, Cissy has been hiding a secret from her boyfriend, Zeke.  Did you believe that he could forgive and forget?  Can love overcome deception?  Inquiring minds want to know what you think!  Answer in the comments section below.  By commenting, you are entering your name in a giveaway for Clare O'Donohue's book, The Devil's Puzzle, part of her Someday Quilts Mystery Series.  Plume Books has generously offered copies of Clare's book for TWO lucky winners this month. 

You might also enjoy my previous blog post here.