STRAWBERRY SPRING THAW

Crumb Mixture:

1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1 cup flour
1/2 cup chopped nuts (I've used both walnuts and almonds)

In jelly roll pan or on cookie sheet with sides, combine melted butter and brown sugar. Stir in flour and nuts until thoroughly blended. Spread this mixture over bottom of pan and bake at 375F for about 3 minutes to break mixture up. (What you are actually doing is making crumbs, not a solid base.) Watch them carefully, for they burn easily. Set aside to cool.

Mousse Ingredients:

2 egg whites
1 cup sugar
1 qt. strawberries, sliced (I've used frozen berries when not in season)
1 tbsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 pint whipping cream

In large mixing bowl, beat egg white to form peaks, gradually adding sugar. Add berries, lemon juice and vanilla. Beat on high speed until tripled in volume - at least 10 minutes. Whip the cream and carefully fold into strawberry mixture.

Sprinkle all but 1/2 cup of crumbs to cover the bottom of a 9" springform pan or angle food pan with removable centre. Pour in strawberry mousse, the sprinkle the remaining crumbs on top. Cover with foil and freeze overnight.

To serve, remove ring from pan and place on serving plate. Garnish liberally with choice fresh strawberries.

:hand:

*SIGH* I'm allergic to Strawberries : :

Maybe I'll make it anyway.. I can go to work looking like I ran through poison ivy

You could make this with any berry or fruit you like. It's just a frozen fruit mousse. Try it with cherries, blueberries, peaches, oranges - whatever!