Happy Fourth of JuLy!

Hope you are going to celebrate this great holiday with lots of red, white and blue food and lots of fun! This is a great holiday for many reasons, one in particular, it’s my birthday! I am reaching that soon-to-be very adult age – 30. Luckily, I have one more year to live in my twenties. Who knows what this year will bring! Well, at this very moment Joe and I are in route to relax on the beach in Jamaica with our toes in the water and our little butts in the sand with not a worry in the world, but a cold drink in our hand. Life is good. If you are doing the same thing, cheers to you! If not and you are going to a picnic, again cheers to you! If you are in need of a quick dessert to take to your picnic, one that is patriotic, you could quick whip up a batch of these bars. Happy Fourth of July!

PS – in this picture, I was missing the strawberries (the red)…

Blueberry & Almond Tart

Ingredients:

• 3 cups almond meal
• 1 stick butter, melted
• 1/2 tsp almond extract – vanilla would work
• 1 – 8 oz container cool whip, partially thawed
• 1 – 8 oz container mascarpone cheese
• 1 container blueberries, strawberries – choice of fruit

Directions:

1. Mix together almond meal, melted butter and almond extract creating paste-like crust.
2. Press mixture in the bottom of an 8 inch square pan using the back of spoon or your hands.
3. Bake at 350F for 5 to 7 minutes or until lightly browned.
4. While cooling, mix together cool whip and mascarpone cheese.
5. Once completely cooled, spread cream mixture on top of crust.
6. Top with your choice of fruit.
7. ENJOY!