Cookbook Friday: Icebox Cake

                        

Here, Freddie Donroe (my dad) is showing off for his father, Albert Donroe, and grandmother, Margarita Donarumo, sometime in the early 1950s.  Did I mention my dad’s apparently-very-long bratty phase?  It was known to bring out the best in people.  For example…

Freddie and family were at his Aunt Ann’s house.  A music-lover from an early age, Freddie was rifling through her collection of 78 records.  He was undoubtedly warned to be careful with them since the older shellac records were quite fragile compared to the newer vinyl ones. 

As the story goes, Freddie wanted to bring some of them home.  Ann said no.  Freddie launched into a huge tantrum.  It went on forever.  Finally, Ann lost her temper, grabbed a record, and hit him over the head with it.  She wisely chose one of the durable vinyls.  Still, it shattered. 

Ann was more surprised than Freddie.  “It said it was unbreakable,” she remarked. 

“Yes,” replied Freddie’s Uncle Gerry.  “Under normal circumstances.”

***

All right, food snobs, brace yourselves.  Jell-O pudding is about to make an appearance.  There are only a couple of distinctly non-Italian desserts that Nonni makes, and icebox cake is one of them.  Why?  Because kids love it, and the author of this blog was no exception.

Icebox Cake

To lazy to make Italian cream pie?  Have I got a recipe for you.

2 packages chocolate instant pudding
2 packages vanilla instant pudding
5½ cups milk (or whatever the instructions on the box call for)
1 box graham crackers
4 bananas

In a large bowl, mix together 2¾ cups milk and the contents of two packages of chocolate pudding according to the instructions on the package (e.g., add mix to milk and whisk for two minutes). 

In a 9”x13” pan, arrange graham crackers on the bottom, breaking into smaller pieces to fit, if necessary.  Pour half of the chocolate pudding on top and spread evenly.  Slice two bananas and arrange in a single layer on top of that.  Add the remaining chocolate pudding.  Set another layer of graham crackers on top. 

Wash out the bowl and mix together the remaining 2¾ cups milk with the two packs of vanilla pudding.  Spread half of it over the graham crackers.  Slice two more bananas and arrange in a single layer.  Add the rest of the vanilla pudding.  In a blender or food processor, pulse 5 graham crackers until pulverized.  Sprinkle crumbs over top of cake.  Cover and chill in the refrigerator (i.e., icebox) for 24 hours before serving.

Dora [Barbaresi] Donroe
Hamden, Connecticut
1918 -

Next: Remembrance

     (Previously: Baseball Cards)

Comments

[Catherine]

I love your grandfather's fat wide tie, and the fact that your dad is wearing shorts and a cowboy hat -- there is something very 50's-ish to the outfit. Most of all, I love that it is clearly summer, but your great-grandmother is wearing a hot heavy wool black head-to-toe coat! And she has her purse nearby. It's such a stereotypical photo, it's endearing.

p.s. Bonus points for the real live white picket fence!

[joey]

I think Freddie gets a bum rap. I've always known him as "focused and determined". And except for that Bobby Vee phase, a good judge of music.
Icebox cake makes me think of black and white TV and Soupy Sales. Don't ask me why.

[Sally]

Don't forget Pinkie Lee Joey. We have a weatherman out of Sioux City (Iowa) who looks just like Soupy Sales! And - Dad - what? No Daniel Boone Coonskin hat?!

[Dad]

Sally - I actually had both the Davy Crockett coonskin cap as well as "Ol' Betsy" but I could only bring so many things with me when I went out visiting.

Joey - So what was wrong with Bobby Vee? He's still performing today. How many old rockers can you say that about?

[Tammy]

Dad: Bobby who?

Sally: I don't know what you people are talking about.

Joey: Was Soupy Sales the Campbell's Soup mascot?

Catherine: I know! And look at those great two-family (or was it three?) houses.

[joey]

Dad: I know he still tours and ( CAUTION; sarcasm ahead ) he sounds as good as he did then.

Tammy: No. The Campbells' Soup mascot was Andy Warhol.

Sally: Pinky was more orange cremesicle than icebox cake, don't you think ?

[Sally]

Andy Warhol! Too funny Joey!! And orange cremesicle - god - I'm dying here! DH is going to have me committed for sure.

[Jean]

Hi, can I have permission to use this recipe in a presentation?