The Saturday Sip: January 7th, 2023
Your inspirational etiquette tip, Emily Post quote and an Emily Post Cookbook recipe to start your weekend off right!
The Tip
Avoid shouting across a public area to get someone’s attention. The better move would be to go over to them - this might mean a quick jog if you’re either really far or they are moving quickly. But shouting in public not only draws attention from the person you’re calling out to but automatically includes everyone else around too and it could startle some people. Remember you can often just shoot them a text, “Hey just saw you out on Church street, didn’t want to shout or stop you on your way, but would have loved to say hi, so hi!!”
The Recipe
Icebox cake is a Post family favorite and how thrilled we were to find Emily had a version that is totally different from what we grew up eating as icebox cake! We decided to give you both recipes to try. While we don’t know if this applies to Emily’s cake as well, our version is also known as “Bride’s Cake” because it’s so easy that a bride could make it the day before her wedding. Take note: both of these cakes require no cooking but do take a lot of chilling time.
Pg 334 of The Emily Post Cookbook, 1951
Icebox Cake [Emily’s Version]
Time 15 minutes plus chilling time [24 hrs]
Makes 1, 8-inch loaf
Ingredients
12 graham crackers
3/4 cup pitted dates
14 marshmallows [regular size]
1 cup chopped nut meats [we are guessing your choice on what nuts]
1/4 cup light cream or evaporated milk
Directions
Crush graham crackers into crumbs and mix all but 1/3 cup with the dates, marshmallows, nuts, and cream. Mix thoroughly, form into a roll, and place on a sheet of waxed paper covered with the remaining 1/3 cup of cracker crumbs. Roll tightly in the paper. Chill in refrigerator at least 24 hours. Slice and serve with whipped cream.
Icebox Cake [4th & 5th Generations Version]
Time 20 minutes, plus 4+ hours of chilling time
Makes 1, 10-inch cake
Ingredients
1 package of Nabisco Famous Chocolate Wafers [Yes, this is what they are called]
1 pint heavy or whipping cream
1 pinch sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract if desired
**Chocolate shavings are optional for decoration, berries also look nice.
Directions
Chill a metal bowl and the beaters or whisk you’ll be using to make the whipped cream. Once cold put the pint of cream, a pinch of sugar, and 1 tsp of vanilla (if desired) into the chilled bowl. Whip the mixture until it forms firm peaks. You want thick whipped cream, something that will really stand up.
Once whipped, open the Famous Chocolate Wafers carefully, they break easily. Take a wafer and using a spreading knife put a smattering of whipped cream onto one and then sandwich another on top of it. Here’s where you can get creative, with how you arrange your wafers. The classic is to stack about 5 wafers sandwiched with the whipped cream between each and set them down on your platter. Then do another five and set them next to these long side (not circular side) to long side. Once you’ve finished the package, cover the whole thing with whipped cream and set it in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, if not overnight. (You can decorate just before serving if you wish to add chocolate shavings or berries to the top.) Some of the cream will absorb into the wafer and result in a thick, moist chocolate cake. If you used the arrangement above for your wafers each slice should result in a black-and-white striped pattern. Enjoy!
The Quote
That’s it for the Saturday Sip! We hope you enjoy the weekend and don’t forget to let us know if you try either of the recipes! Keep an eye out for the podcast with its etiquette extra and poll on Monday.
Until then!
Lizzie and Dan
My family has made your "Icebox Cake" with famous chocolate wafers for at least three generations, but we call it Cookie Cake. However, we make it as one long log (alternating cookie and cream, then frosting the whole thing), but slide the final cake on the diagonal, across the layers, so each piece shows 7-10 layers.
“Hey just saw you out on Church street, didn’t want to shout or stop you on your way, but would have loved to say hi, so hi!!"
I can totally hear Lizzie saying that!