I was invited by Judy of The Book Club Cook Book to join her for The Jane Austen Society Blog Party this month. Interested bloggers were sent a pre-release copy of the novel written by Natalie Jenner and published by St. Martin Press to read and review.
You can follow the author, publisher and The Book Club Cookbook Club at the links below:
- Publisher @stmartinspress
- Author Instagram: @authornataliejenner Twitter: @NatalieMJenner
- The Book Club Cookbook Facebook: TheBookClubCookbook Twitter: @bookclubcookboo Instagram: @thebookclubcookbook Pinterest: @bookclubcook
I received no monetary compensation for this post and all writing, thoughts and opinions are strictly my own. As so often is the case when I read a book, this one had me going into the kitchen when I was done reading to created this Lemon Ice Box Cake inspired by the novel. I thought it would be a nice addition to the party.
This easy no bake dessert would be perfect to serve with tea. It was also perfect to serve after BBQ and Pool time. Fluffy whipped cream and cream cheese, layered with cookies and swirled with lemon curd. A perfect summertime treat.
You can enjoy this dessert as you immerse yourself into this novel being released today. It is a perfect beach read....or deck read until the beaches reopen.
This novel about an unlikely group of people brought together over their shared love of Jane Austen was a very enjoyable read. The characters were well developed and there was some mystery thrown in for good measure. The novel held my interest as I rooted for the members of this group to see their dreams, both individually and as a group, come to fruition. Then suddenly, the author changed tack and wrapped up the story in a neat little package in the last few chapters. I was dumbfounded and disappointed. Why she would take this wonderful work and end it so suddenly is beyond me. I don't know if she was working on a deadline or worried about the length of the novel but I wish she had taken her time and, if not developed the story more completely in this novel, then leave room for a sequel that I would have eagerly awaited.
As usually happens this novel inspired me into the kitchen where I made an ice box cake that is perfect for tea which was often shared among the members of this society.
I followed a recipe for this no bake dessert found on Food Network from an episode of Valerie's Home Cooking. I used mini vanilla wafers because the grocer was out of full size.
Yield: 12 servings
Lemon Ice Box Cake
Fluffy whipped cream and cream cheese, layered with cookies and swirled with lemon curd. A perfect summertime treat.
Prep time: 20 MCook time: Total time: 20 M
Ingredients:
- 4 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
- 3 c. heavy cream
- 1/3 c. powdered sugar
- 1/2 t. vanilla
- 11 oz. vanilla wafer cookies
- 1 (10 oz) jar lemon curd
Instructions:
- In large bowl of stand mixer, fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the cream cheese until soft. Add the cream, sugar and vanilla. Starting on low speed and increasing as the mixture thickens, beat until stiff peaks are formed.
- Spread 1/2 cup of the cream mixture into the bottom of a 9x13" baking pan. Cover with vanilla wafer cookies without overlapping. Spread half of the remaining cream mixture onto the cookies.
- Dollop the lemon curd over the cream mixture and use a knife to swirl it in. Top this layer with the remaining whipped cream mixture. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hrs. or up to one day.
Notes:
Adapted from a recipe found on Food Network.
Calories
432.62
432.62
Fat (grams)
32.40
32.40
Sat. Fat (grams)
18.93
18.93
Carbs (grams)
33.01
33.01
Fiber (grams)
0.40
0.40
Net carbs
32.61
32.61
Sugar (grams)
21.91
21.91
Protein (grams)
4.06
4.06
Sodium (milligrams)
187.47
187.47
Cholesterol (grams)
104.68
104.68
Property of A Day in the Life on the Farm
Lovely summer cake! I guess the ending didn't leave me wanting or maybe I'm just getting used to endings that seem to just wrap everything up quickly. Hope your holiday weekend was relaxing! :)
ReplyDeleteIt was wonderful Debra, hope all is good with you.
DeleteThis look fabulous! I felt similarly about the book. Didn't love it. But didn't hate it either! I guess that's a good thing.
ReplyDeleteYes, I really enjoyed it until the ending.
DeleteThat really sounds delicious. I love lemon curd. And vanilla wafers.
ReplyDeletebe well... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Thanks Mae.
DeleteYour lemon icebox cake looks amazing. Lemon (anything) is my favorite kind of dessert! I really enjoyed the book and wanted more--you're right, the ending did wrap up things too quickly.
ReplyDeleteI wanted more too, I hope she does a sequel to it. I really enjoyed the characters and would like to know them better.
Delete