My book group meets on Sunday mornings and brunch is typically served, so when it’s my turn I’m always looking for something that can be made ahead and is, of course, worthy of the fine women who attend.

With a small amount of effort this dish from our friends at Real Simple delivers both in terms of appearance (we eat first with our eyes) and flavor (mostly we eat with our mouths).  Obviously I added fruit and I’m sorry there’s so much of it that it obscures the exquisite hasslebacking but we do need our potassium and fiber and antioxidants and sometimes we need them dusted with powdered sugar and drizzled with maple syrup.

Image result for elf gif maple syrup

(I do love maple syrup)

Next time I might experiment with adding some toasted sliced almonds on top for texture and another layer of flavor, and/or substituting one of the teaspoons of vanilla with either almond or maple extract — how good would that be???

As is though it’s impressive and ridiculously easy.  I served with bacon prepared in my preferred method: baked on a cookie sheet for 15-20 minutes in a 400-degree oven.

The book was The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai.  It was great too.