Central Oregonian

Three layers of berry goodness

This berry dessert is rooted in a Crook County family

We were at a really wonderful wedding recently and since we have been close to this family for years I made myself at home in the kitchen the day of the wedding and helped prepare some of the salad to be served at the reception.

While I was working away with Grandma Emily, she began to share with me one of her family’s favorite desserts. She painted this great picture of how pretty it looks and how it smelled. Then she finished her story with the sad ending that if she had the ingredients for it she would have made it for me. HoHum!

Oh well, I managed to get her recipe for it and will be promptly making it as soon as I remember to buy the ingredients we do not have on hand. Some of you are familiar with Officer Dawn who can be seen around town in the Prineville Police truck she regularly drives. And some of you know Darin Kessi, who has been employed by our local school district for many years. Well, Grandma Emily is their mom. So, although this recipe came from the Eddyville area, it has local roots.

Emily said that it is good with just about any berry you want to try, you just change the flavor of the Jello to match the berry. She thinks the difference between this dessert and some others that are very similar is the yummy glaze that you cover it with.

We made fruit pizza for our Independence Day celebration and while it was a very similar recipe it was just different enough that I cannot wait to try this one. We did not glaze ours and the cookie part was pretty dry so I am excited to try it with the glaze.

Thank you Emily Kessi for sharing your kitchen with me and for this recipe. You all have a great week and take the time to visit our Crook County Fair. Enjoy!

Three Layer Berry Dessert

Crust

Ingredients:

2 C flour

5 T sugar

1 C butter

Directions:

Blend together and pat in bottom of jelly roll pan. Bake at 350 degrees approximately 12-14 minutes.

Filling

Ingredients:

8 oz pkg cream cheese

1 cup powdered sugar

4 oz frozen whipped topping

Directions:

Blend sugar and cheese, fold in topping. Spread cheese over cooled crust.

Topping

Ingredients:

4 cup berries

13 oz package Jello, flavor according to berries used.

½ cup sugar

2 T corn starch

1 cup hot water

Directions:

Arrange berries on filling. Glaze: Mix dry ingredients together. Add hot water, boil 3 minutes until clear, cool and pour over berries.