| I married a Yankee Doodle Dandy: born and bred in | | | | 1/2 pint strawberries, cleaned an patted dry with paper |
| New York, proudly served his country in the Army, and | | | | towels (sliced or whole, as you prefer) |
| most importantly - born on the Fourth of July. (Once he | | | | For the cake: |
| even took the role of Prince Charming in a play, and | | | | Preheat oven to 325. Whip the eggs, salt, 1/2 cup |
| thus I have a photo of him with a feather in his cap!) It | | | | sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla until light and fluffy and |
| is too much! | | | | about tripled in volume. Carefully mix in the flour, just |
| His favorite dessert is Strawberry Shortcake, and I | | | | until well blended. Do not mix the flour too much, or the |
| have developed a July Fourth version I call a "Yankee | | | | light, fluffiness you just whipped into the mixture will |
| Doodle" with blueberries and strawberries to in | | | | disappear. Pour the batter into a greased cake pan. I |
| corporate all the colors of the flag. It is a big hit. He | | | | use a 9-inch flute-edged pan, but an 8- or 9-inch round |
| loves blueberries as much as strawberries but had | | | | cake pan will do nicely. Bake until golden brown and |
| never considered including them in his birthday dessert. | | | | until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake |
| Candles are a little tricky in the whipped cream | | | | comes out clean, about 20-25 minutes. Let cool a few |
| (perhaps sparklers would be easier), but they are | | | | minutes and then turn out onto a serving platter. Let |
| possible with a little care and just as appropriate for | | | | cool at least ten minutes more before making the |
| our Independence Day celebration as they are to | | | | whipped cream. |
| celebrate my Yankee Doodle Dandy's birthday. | | | | For the whipped cream: |
| This dessert is easy and spectacular. You could use a | | | | In a large, clean bowl and with clean beaters, whip the |
| plain cake made from a mix instead of the sponge | | | | cream on low speed until it forms soft peaks and |
| cake recipe I give below, and a prepared whipped | | | | doubles in volume. Ad the remaining 1/4 cup sugar and |
| topping or canned whipped cream instead of fresh to | | | | 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and beat for another 30 seconds |
| make it even easier, but with just a wee bit of effort, | | | | on low speed. |
| this dessert can be made from scratch and | | | | To assemble: |
| assembled in less than an hour (including baking time). | | | | Dump the whipped cream on top of the cake, and |
| Yankee Doodle | | | | spread it around into an approximately even layer. |
| 4 eggspinch of salt | | | | Arrange the strawberries and blueberries on top |
| 3/4 cup sugar, divided | | | | (either methodically in a pattern or simply scattered). |
| 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, divided | | | | Note: |
| 1 cup all-purpose flour | | | | Best when assembled immediately prior to serving, but |
| 1 cup heavy cream | | | | it can be assembled carefully covered, and |
| 1/4 cup sugar | | | | refrigerated for up to two hours before serving. |
| 1/2 pint blueberries, cleaned an patted dry with paper | | | | Serves 6-8 depending on size of appetite. |
| towels | | | | |