the mock-up.

Summer is hardly the best time for baking. However, when self-esteem hits a valley I've found no better way to climb out of it than making and subsequently doling out homemade treats. (Ancillary mood booster: it's fun to play Beck while I'm pulsing the mixer and pretend I'm part of the backing band.)

However, when the weather is warm and time is short -- like it was in the days preceding Maria and Matt's July 3 barbecue -- no-bake cheesecake is an acceptable alternative. It's one of the easiest-yet-most-classy-looking desserts one can whip up. Allow me to get all patriotic up in here:

I am hesitant to post the recipe and reveal how shamelessly simple this one is, but I shall.

1 package of cream cheese
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tub of thawed Cool Whip

Make a graham cracker crust with graham crumbs and melted butter, and press it into a pie pan. In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese with the sugar and vanilla, then stir in the cool whip. Pour into crust. Chill overnight. Top with berries (ideally sliced and arranged by an OCD-afflicted friend). Serve while tossing some modest comment over your shoulder, like "I was going to make star-spangled cookies, but I ran out of time so I whipped this up instead."

If the weather cools off tonight I'm going to make a pie with the leftover berries, wherein I shall attempt my first lattice crust. Pray for me.