When I picked Plumster up from summer camp today, she declared that she was making a surprise for me.  “I will make a surprise for you too!” I replied enthusiastically as we climbed into my car.

Dinner tonight consisted of baked panko chicken and a huge mixed green salad.  As I rummaged through the refrigerator looking for something to reciprocate Plumster’s surprise, I came across a handful of blueberries and a pint of gorgeous strawberries.  A light bulb flashed: I will make her a surprise dessert which I will name, the “Independence Parfait”!

I took out my trusty handheld mixer and made some whipped cream.  I like to whip my own cream because it allows me to control its flavor and sweetness.  Tonight, I flavored it with some vanilla extract and deepened the complexity with a dash of almond extract.  I have to credit the almond addition to a good…