This is the yummy birthday dessert Ella chose, and it was a success! The original recipe calls for using Mrs. Fields chocolate chip cookies, but I used our own favorite recipe which you can find here. (Don't overbake!)
You'll need 30 cookies for this beautiful stack of sweetness. Here's the recipe for the whipped filling. It makes a lot! However, I was quite reserved in my application because I didn't want the filling to be overwhelming, so that's why I had so much of it left over.
1-1/2 (8 ounce) packages of cream cheese, softened
1-1/4 c. confectioners' sugar
1 (13.6 ounce) can coconut milk
2-1/2 c. chilled heavy whipping cream
In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Add confectioners' sugar and coconut milk; beat just until combined. Add cream; beat at low speed until mixture begins to thicken. Beat at high speed until very thick.
On a large serving plate, arrange 7 cookies in a circle; place 1 cookie in center of circle. Dollop 2 c. of cream mixture over cookies; gently spread over and in between cookies with a spatula. Arrange 6 cookies over cream mixture; place 1 cookie in center of circle. Dollop 2 c. of cream mixture over cookies; gently spread with spatula. Repeat procedure twice, arranging cookies closer together with each layer to form a pyramid-shaped stack. Spread remaining 2 c. of cream mixture on top of cookie stack. Cover, and chill for 1 hour or up to 4 hours. Just before serving, top with berries.
~from Celebrate magazine
Tips:
~Top with strawberries and blueberries for a festive 4th of July dessert.
~Cookies start to soften after 4 hours, so you might need to cut with a serrated knife instead of just pulling from the stack if you chill them that long.
~It's messy, but delicious. Let your children enjoy it, and don't fret over how much whipped cream they get on themselves. :)
~Customize the amount of cream used to your liking--as I said, I had a lot left over, but was pleased with the amount used on the cookies.
~The taste of coconut milk is not overwhelming. We bought the half-gallon size available in the refrigerated section of Trader Joe's.
~I chilled our cookie stack for about 2 hours. The chilling makes a big difference--don't leave that part out.
Enjoy!!
With love,
Trisha
How darling! It look yummy, too! Happy Birthday to Ella! Bless you, dear Trisha.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jojo! Much love to you!
DeleteWhat a creative birthday "cake"! Does the filling have a coconut flavor to it?
ReplyDeleteIt's ever so slight, Persis. I'm not a coconut fan, but I did enjoy this, especially with the cookies. :)
DeleteOh my goodness gracious me oh MY!!!! Sam was just saying the other day that for his birthday he wants cookies and whipped cream! Ha!! Trisha to the rescue again - although that beats the living daylights out of just plain ol' whipped cream.
ReplyDeleteSo I'm guessing this doesn't keep well for leftovers? Or will they work as long as you use a serrated knife?
ReplyDeleteIf it all needs to be eaten fresh, how many servings would you say it makes?
Sounds yummy! My dad loves cookies, so this is something to remember for his birthday or Father's Day.
Yes, it is best eaten the same day. We had some of the cookies left over, scraped off most of the filling (to prevent them from getting soggy right away), and refrigerated them. They were fine to eat the next day. However, I used a soft cookies, so a crispy one might last longer. This recipe as is made enough for 10 with some left over. I would just reduce the size of the recipe, making the stack smaller to fit your needs. I do hope your Dad enjoys it! Let me know if you have any other questions. :)
DeleteThank you for the additional information, Trisha. I have no doubt he will. Well, assuming I don't use the wrong pan and burn the cookies on the bottom or something. :)
DeleteBy the way, the Elisabeth Elliot book and The Hidden Art of Homemaking in your reading list are favorites of mine, too. I have not yet read the other Edith Schaeffer one, but I read some of her family letters as they came out, once I had heard of L'Abri. I have met both ladies briefly at conferences and had books signed. Impulsively, I hugged Mrs. Schaeffer (still can't believe my nerve on that one) and she kissed me on the cheek. Sweet memory. Too few people know of those beautiful ladies these days, more's the pity.
Grace and peace to you and yours in Christ Jesus. Happy (almost) weekend!