When I was a child, my Mother and I had a "girls" day out about twice a year. It is the only time I can remember as a young child, going somewhere with my Mom, where the whole family didn't tag along. It started when I was quite young, maybe around 8 yrs old or so, and continued for a few years.
We would walk to Corydon Ave, get on the trolley bus ( yes Winnipeg had electric buses back then) and we would head downtown to the beauty school to get perms in our hair. It was a big deal to be in a place where there were only females, especially since our home was mostly males. For a couple of hours we were pampered, fussed over, and treated like queens, and when we left there, we looked just like the girls and women in all the papers and magazines.
After our hair was done, we would walk down Portage Avenue until we came to Woolworth's Department Store. It was the place to go for so many things - my Mom loved shopping there, but I loved the big lunch counter along the back wall - the one with the stools that twisted around and around and around.
After Mom finished her shopping, we would go to that counter for a bit of a treat before heading home.
I always had a glass of milk, Mom had coffee, and we both shared a slice of Icebox Cheesecake - something that had yet made it into recipe books or household kitchens in our city.
It was exotic, so refreshing, and left you wanting another piece, because you could only get it at this particular lunch counter, and only when you were on a girls day out, with Mom!
In later years, Mom began making a cheesecake much like the Woolworth's Icebox cake, but it never quite tasted the way the one did in the store - where we sat just the two of us, having a special treat out together.
It's a Memory I cherish, and with Mother's Day this coming weekend, it it particularly wonderful to sit and remember that special time we had together.
The recipe isn't a secret anymore, so make one this weekend, and share it with your Mother, if you are lucky enough to still have her with you.
If like, me you will be missing your Mother this Mother's Day, make it anyway, and remember those special moments you shared with your Mom.
HAPYY MOTHER'S DAY to all the Mom's out there!
Enjoy!
Woolworth's Famous Icebox Cheesecake.
- 1(12-ounce) can Carnation evaporated milk, well chilled
- 1⅔cups graham cracker crumbs
- ½cup confectioners' sugar
- 6tablespoons margarine or butter, melted
- 1(3-ounce) box lemon Jell-O gelatin or any flavor you like
- 1cup boiling water
- 1(8-ounce) package cream cheese
- 1cup granulated sugar
- 4tablespoons fresh lemon juice or 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Directions
To begin, shake the can of evaporated milk and refrigerate until well chilled, at least an hour.
In a small mixing bowl and using a wire whisk, dissolve the Jell-O in the boiling water, 1 to 2 minutes. Set aside to cool to lukewarm.
Combine graham cracker crumbs, confectioners' sugar, and melted butter. Reserve 1/3 cup of the mixture for the topping. Press the remainder firmly into the bottom of an 11.5x7.5-inch or similar dish. Refrigerate or put in the freezer until needed.
In another large mixing bowl and using a mixer, beat together the cream cheese, granulated sugar, and lemon juice or vanilla until smooth and creamy. Beat in the cooled Jell-O until well blended. Refrigerate mixture for now.
Shake the can of chilled evaporated milk again and pour into another large mixing bowl. Beat on high speed of mixer until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. It should have the consistency of beaten egg whites. Beat in the cream cheese/Jell-O mixture.
Pour mixture over the chilled crust. Sprinkle top with the remaining crumb mixture. Refrigerate for several hours before cutting into squares.
NOTE:
You can use a larger pan, like 9x12-inch and the dessert will be thinner. If you have too much filling for the smaller pan, pour it into small bowls and refrigerate for a quick and creamy snack.
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