V-DAY FUNFETTI PARFAITS-PT 1

I spent the day being very Funfetti-frustrated because silpat/silicone forms and I just don't seem to work well with each other.  Because I do so love my silicone cupcake liners, I thought I should buy everything silicone  for Valentine's Day; i.e., cute little heart-cake form (icecube trays in disguise), a bavarian bundt big-ass mold for tall heart-shaped cupcakes and tons of heart-shaped inventory to fill my ever-growing 'pink' storage bin(s) (a color for each holiday so I know what's what). 

Recently, a good friend, Teresa, said she wished my recipes were easier.  I was rather surprised at that remark as I thought most of my cooking is pretty simple (with the exception of Boeuf Bourguignon and French fantasies when I have too much energy and time on my hands) and takes just a little extra time in the kitchen.  So with that in mind, I decided to do some short-cut baking for our busy schedules--jobs, family, dogs, kids, grandkids, Super Bowl, HGTV, etc--some more than others--to help my friends have an easier time baking and cooking--especially cupcakes, especially for V-Day.

At my weekly visit to Target land, Betty C. and her friend, Ms. Pillsbury, have the Valentine version of Funfetti cake mix--nothing more than yellow cake mix disguised by colorful and holiday appropriate 'bits' you throw into the batter before baking.  How easy peasy--can't think of much simpler than that.  Well, not being able to leave well enough alone, I could have just told you to buy the F-etti-box, taken pictures of how lovely it turned out and been done with it.  But, you know I had to try my new silicone doodads and that's how the F-etti box turned into F-etti hell.  Why I didn't just make pretty ice cubes is beyond reason.  It was torture to first try filling the batter into those nasty cute little hearts, then they got overfilled and then not even Pam Spray could release the demonic batter from their grip.  So...throw them out and don't do what I did. See the pictures?  Do not do this!  Do not be enticed by the Hobby Lobby and Michael's coupons or the Dollar stores or anyone pushing silicone.  I'm addicted.  I need coupon detox.

Anyway, as Julia would say, 'All is not lost.  Just DO what you have to DO and cover up the mistake'. So here's what you should do.  I will give you the easy details versus my Funfetti Failures (all pics except the final dessert relate to F-etti hell).  And remember--just use your imagination when things don't turn out the way they were supposed to.  This actually turned into a lovely dessert thanks to The Most Wonderful Husband in the World's idea to make parfaits.  Thank you, sweetie.

Buy a box of Funfetti Valentine' Cake Mix--you will be using one-half box for two different items;  this is Part 1 - Parfaits

Filling the cute molds--NO!

The filled molds before baking--NO!

Funfetti Parfaits
1" heart-shaped cookie cutter
Heat oven to 350 degrees
Pam a 13.25 x 9.25" sheet pan--metal, not silicone--I'm donating mine to the Breast Implant Group (B.I.G.)

1.5 c cake mix
1 egg
1/8 c vegetable oil (I doubt anyone has 1/8 measuring cup--it's 1/2 of your 1/4 measuring cup)
1/4 c water
Packet of V-fetti bits
1-2 Ice cream cones, broken into pieces

No stick Silicone! No!

Semi-sweet chocolate bits, maybe 1/4 c
Cherry vanilla ice cream (or strawberry or whatever your fancy but pink ice cream is best)

Blend all ingredients in mixing bowl. Spread in prepared pan. Do not use silicone, cute, heart-shaped ice cube or mini silicone cupcake molds--you will regret it. I promise.  If you don't regret it, please tell me how you made it work before they find their way to B.I.G.

Bake for about 15 minutes or until center is done when toothpick is inserted and comes clean.
Remove from oven and cool 10 minutes.
Press cookie cutter into cake and remove gently to rack. You can use any size cutters and shapes but for the parfaits, the 1" cutter was used because those stupid trays left the mini-cakes so messed up I had to 'reshape' the hearts with a cookie cutter.

In your cutest juice, cocktail, or parfait glass, add one scoop ice cream, break up ice cream cone and add a layer on top of ice cream, sprinkle semi-sweet chocolate bits, add another scoop of ice cream and place those darned cute heart cakes on top. Decorate with glitter hearts picks.  Freeze leftovers for future desserts or little mini-snacks.

Your kids--under 21 or the ones who never grow up--are gonna love this dessert. It is yummy and for you weight watchers, reasonably low calorie depending on the size of your cute little glass and ice cream used. 

Screw the silicone. Done with it.

Bon Funfetti

E Dehillerin, Paris