MAKE: Strawberry Shortcake with Nutella Creme {in a jar}

Strawberry shortcake is definitely one of my favorite summer desserts. It isn't too filling and is just so darn delicious, don't you think? Mmmm...especially with fresh strawberries from the farmer's market. I've been noticing this dessert in jars trend all over (especially Pinterest)-- there are even books on it. I like the idea of having an individual portion size and I also have a strange obsession with glass jars (pretty much anything that comes in one gets rinsed out and reused in my house). My friend Liz had a birthday party several weeks ago and it was the perfect time to try something new. I wanted to make the shortcake a little more special, so naturally my thoughts drifted towards chocolate and then I thought 'Nutella!'. Since the whipping cream part is probably the most versatile ingredient to play around with, I decided to make a nutella creme. I also added mascarpone cheese to thicken it up. I wasn't sure what the result would be, but nothing with Nutella in it is bad, right? When I stuck my finger in though, and gave it a taste, I think I did a little dance. This stuff is magic. You could definitely eat it on it's own-- it's got a kind of mousse type consistency. Soooo incredibly light and fluffy! The best kind of summer treat! I've made this dessert twice now and gotten tons of compliments. It's so easy, especially if you buy the angel food cake (I did end up buying mine here because of time). However, you can make your own using a recipe like this one and it will probably be even better! Happy summer you guys!

^^ strawberries from the Nashville farmer's market, nothing better.

Ingredients:

1 quart of heavy whipping cream

2 tsp. of pure vanilla extract

1/4 cup of sugar

1/2 cup of Nutella (can add more or less according to taste)

6 oz. mascarpone cheese

1 pint of fresh strawberries, sliced thin

angel food cake (bought or made)

MAKE:

For the Nutella Creme:

Whip whipping cream with a handheld or standing mixer until stiff peaks form.  

Add vanilla and sugar and mix until combined. 

Add the marscapone and nutella and whip until all  ingredients together until smooth.

Taste. Add any adjustments .

(since we are not baking here, this recipe can be fiddled with to your liking, 

want it a little sweeter, more nutella? go for it!)

To assemble:

In a jar layer strawberries, cake, creme (repeat)-- similar to a parfait type process

Have fun with this! You could even add some chocolate sauce on top

 or a different type of fruit, like bananas!

I've made batches of 15 jars and 20 jars and after experimenting with several layering methods

 I found that the easiest way to do a lot at once is an assembly line.

Meaning do the 1st layer in all the 20 jars, 2nd, 3rd and so on.

That way you know you will not run out of ingredients.