Anna Sultana's Spongecake with Lemon Cream Filling, Maltese Style

Well, the sky was overcast on February 2.

Various rodents throughout North America didn’t see their shadows.

So, with any luck, it will be Spring in six weeks.

I sure hope they were right.

I don’t know what it is about cloudy skies.

I crave lemons... in my drinks, in my meals and especially in my desserts.

Maybe I just need something round and yellow.

Whatever… I need to make lemon desserts.

About five years ago I posted two custard recipes:

Anna Sultana's Cannoli - Spongecake with Custard Filling, Maltese Style

Carmela Soprano's Zuppa Ingles, Neopolitan Trifle

Needless to say, Ma’s recipe is easier.

This recipe of Ma’s is even easier.

And it has lemon pie filling in it.

Need I say more?

Hints:

Sponge cakes are usually sold in pairs.

This recipe calls for four layers - that’s two packages.

This dessert also works with canned pie filling.

Or homemade, if you have the time.

This recipe makes a dessert large enough for a family get together.

If you’d like something smaller, just make it with:

one package of sponge cake (two layers)

one package of lemon pie filling & dessert mix

one half tub of whipped topping

Cover each layer with half of the lemon cream filling. 

                        Spongecake with Lemon Cream Filling

Prepare 

2 packages of lemon pie filling & dessert mix as per package instructions

Set aside to cool to room temperature.

Fold in

1  1-quart tub of whipped topping

Place in a deep bowl

1 8-inch sponge cake layer

Spread over it

a thin layer of apricot jam (optional)

Top with 

1/4 of the lemon pie / whipped topping mixture

* Place another 8-inch sponge cake layer on top of the lemon cream filling.

Cover with a layer of jam (optional) and 1/4 of the lemon cream filling.

Repeat from * two more times.

Cover and refrigerate.

Easy, no?

About the sky this week…

According to the Farmers Almanac:

February 4 is the midpoint of winter, the halfway point between the Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox.

On February 6 look to see a very thin waning crescent Moon forming a broad triangle with Venus and Mercury this morning, the Moon hovering about 4° above both planets. Mercury also reaches greatest elongation on this morning, 26° west of the Sun.

On February 8 there’s a New Moon at 9:39 a.m. It’s completely invisible.