Mango Refrigerator Cake

During the spring time here in the States, I find an abundance of mangoes in the markets so I make a no-bake Mango Refrigerator Cake. Thinking back, I recall it is also mango season in the Philippines during May, summer over in Asia. I have always associated mangoes, my favorite fruit with summers and my mom. She knew what to do with the surplus of mangoes we enjoyed when I was growing up. We had a bounty of mangoes from trees growing in our farm.

Mom had an abundance of mango recipes. One of them was this easy dessert. She used to call it ‘mango icebox cake’. All one needed to do was slice the mangoes, layer the butter cake slices, fruit and and heavy cream filling. After a few hours, presto, dessert was ready. Often mom made this icebox cake, as she called it with leftover broas or lady fingers. I always helped her put this dessert together. My task was to lay out the cake-like lady fingers neatly in a straight row. Then mom slathered on the heavy cream. And finally, she gently placed the sweet, succulent yellow-orange mango slices. It took her only a few minutes to make this heavenly treat then she would keep the cake refrigerated till it was dessert time. As a little girl then, I used to clap my hands in glee when I saw this magnificent mango cake assembled and ready to be chilled.

These days, when I recreate this dessert for my own family, I use leftover butter cake slices or the Taisan butter loaf I often bake.  And right on cue, my own sons used to exult with joy once I was done making this easy mango cake. It is a sweet reminder of mom  and the love she showered on us through the meals she prepared daily, three times a day.