Teacher's dessert

For reasons lost with my grandmother, when my mom and her two sisters were in grade school Grandma started inviting the teachers over once a year for "teacher's dessert." It was a chance for the kids to show off their house to their teachers and for the teachers and parents to get to know one another. Just "dessert and nuts" after school. My mom continued the tradition so my grade school teachers came over for dessert every year.

Several years ago I made recipe calendars for all my friends so luckily I had the recipe on hand when I decided we should invite Biscuit's pre-school teachers over. It's really such a weird dessert; I don't even like it much. But it's tradition.

Reading and making the recipe reminded me somehow of this article by Michael Pollan. Something about the 50's food aesthetic of fancy/complicated but made with pre-packaged ingredients like Nilla wafers. It might be time to change the menu on this tradition but it was nice to have Biscuit's teachers over and they seemed to appreciate it.

(photo outtake)

And here's the recipe. You've been warned ;)
Teacher's Dessert
Mix 2 cups crushed Nilla Wafers with 3 T melted butter. Press into a 9x13 pan and freeze. Slice most of a quart of mint chip ice cream and cover Nilla wafer layer with ice cream (about 1/2-3/4 inches thick). Freeze. Beat three egg whites, set aside. Beat 1/2 cup softened butter with 2 cups powdered sugar. Mix in two melted squares of bakers (unsweetened) chocolate. Beat in three egg yolks. Fold in beaten egg whites. Layer chocolate over ice cream. Top with more crushed Nilla wafers (I forgot to do this step) Freeze. Allow it to soften up for a few minutes before attempting to slice and serve.

I know, raw egg. I did it anyway. There is a cryptic note on my recipe "may replace eggs with water" but no hints as to how much water etc. I suppose it's mostly a chocolate frosting so maybe next time I'd thin it with some milk. So far we seem to be salmonella free but geez, kinda gross.

So there you go. You can adopt a Swanson family tradition. Let me know if you have any bright ideas for a more appetizing dessert we can rename "Teacher's Dessert." Maybe apple cobbler would be more appropriate.

Comments

[Jamie]

I miss my recipe calendars!! I've still got the one you photographed. Is it a collector's item? :)

I'm totally fine with raw egg. (Wait, maybe that's why I'm having stomach issues?) But seriously. Three for that whole dessert? I think it's fine. I'm gonna try making this!

[Allison]

Very cute idea!