Vanilla Bean Blogiversary!

Five years ago today I started this blog. My vision was to create a place where Mr. VB and I could chronicle and share our cooking adventures. Over time, we discovered a love of DIY, decorating, painting and building furniture. And, we've shared it all here. Thanks for reading and being a part of it!

What's a blogiversary without a cake? It's just a blog.

Since we are in the middle of summer, I wanted to make something that incorporated one of the best summer fruits: blackberries. There's a small farm near our apartment that boasts fresh blackberries. I stopped in and got what I think are the largest berries I've seen in my life.

I kind of winged it on the recipe. You'll notice I didn't include any measurements below. It's a trifle -- layering cake, whipped cream, liquor and berries can hardly get messed up without proper measurements. Just use your best judgement. It will be awesome. Trust me.

Summer Blackberry Orange Trifle

Adapted from Nigella Kitchen: Recipes from the Heart of the Home (Hyperion, 2010)

Ingredients

• Orange pound cake (I used this orange pound cake recipe from Ina Garten)
• Cointreau or other orange liqueur (we had Patron Citronge on hand)
• Juice of 1 orange
• Whipped cream
• 1 cup of fresh blackberries

Instructions

• Cut the cake into cubes and drop 4-5 pieces in a mason jar (or whatever glass serving dish you are using). Drizzle with orange liqueur.
• Then squeeze the juice from the orange, drizzle this over the liqueur-soaked cake.
• Arrange the blackberries over the top of the cake and add some whipped cream.
• Repeat layers until your jar is filled. 
• Try to show restraint long enough to take pics of your lovely creation.
• Make additional jars of trifle for yourself company.