Creamy Frozen Orange Squares

Summer here in Nova Scotia has reached it's humid stage.  Humidity and I do not get along. I don't care if it's summer or winter, as soon as the humidity hits I'm a grouchy, sweaty, clammy mess.  Needless to say, the oven rarely gets turned on when the 'feels like' temperature is hotter than my body temperature.

I still have the urge to be in the kitchen though, so I browsed through the no-bake recipes on Life Made Delicious and found this recipe that I knew would be a winner.  Growing up I loved the Buried Treasure ice cream treats (remember those anyone?) and this is just a more 'grown up' way to get the same great flavours.  

Creamy Frozen Orange Squares

Adapted from Life Made Delicious

2/3 cups finely chopped natural almonds

5 cups Cheerios

5 tbsp butter, melted

5 cups (I used just a 1 litre container) orange sherbet, softened

5 cups (I used 1 litre) of vanilla ice cream, softened

whipped cream for serving

In a food processor, process almonds and Cheerios to a fine crumb.  Pulse in the melted butter and press the  crumbs firmly into the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch pan.  Scoop softened sherbet and ice cream alternately on top of the crumbs, and using an offset spatula, smooth and swirl the two together.  Freeze for at least 4 hours before serving, and when you serve, top each square with some whipped cream (and some orange zest if you have any)

I kind of messed up on the crust, as you see it didn't hold together well... I was a bit over zealous with the Cheerios and didn't compensate with any more butter, hoping the ice cream would make it hold together more... and it didn't.  Oh well, live and learn.  While I like how the crust was not sweet, I can't help but wonder what the same squares would be like with either a chocolate cookie or a brownie crust... I just want chocolate added in some way I guess, hehe!

This week I also received a little gift pack from my General Mills friends and was informed about their Green Banner cereals.  I thought it was just part of the packaging before, but now I know when I see the Green Banner it means that these General Mills cereals contain oat fibre, which helps lower 'bad' cholesterol (and are made with whole grains).  

For yummy recipes using Cheerios, Honey Nut Cheerios, and Oatmeal Crisp, as well as more info about lowering your cholesterol, you can check out www.cheerios.ca/Topics/Cholesterol.aspx

Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.