New Found Love

I have recently fallen in love with Ice Box cakes. They are wonderful for summer, super easy, and tend to be lighter then your usual cake.
For the 4th of July (and I promise I will post pictures soon... I just currently don't have internet access at home, and yes, I am dying!) I made a glorious strawberry ice box cake. I found the recipe thanks to Pinterest. It is seriously the easiest cake I have ever made.

No-Bake Strawberry Icebox Cake
serves 8

2 pounds fresh strawberries, washed (One, have no idea how many strawberries 2 pounds is, and 2, I just cut up a bunch of strawberries and layered them in the cake)
3 1/4 cups whipping cream, divided
1/3 cup confectioners sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon rosewater (optional)
4 sleeves (about 19 ounces, or 24 to 28 whole crackers) graham crackers
2 ounces dark chocolate, finely chopped

Take out a few of the best-looking strawberries and set them aside for the garnish. Hull the remainder of the strawberries and slice each berry into thin slices.

With a hand mixer or in the bowl of a stand mixer, whip 3 cups of cream until it just holds stiff peaks. Add the confectioners sugar, vanilla, and rosewater (if using) and whip to combine.

Spread a small spoonful of whipped cream on the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking pan, or a similarly-sized platter. Lay down six graham crackers. Lightly cover the top of the graham crackers with more whipped cream, and then a single layer of strawberries. Repeat three times, until you have four layers of graham crackers. Spread the last of the whipped cream over the top and swirl it lightly with a spoon. Add a few more strawberries.

To make the ganache, heat the cream until bubbles form around the edges, then pour over the chopped chocolate. -So at this point, I had no idea what "cream" the recipe was talking about, so I just heated up the dark chocolate I had, and drizzled it over. Let it stand for a few minutes, then whisk until the mixture is thick and glossy. Drizzle this over the layered dessert with a spoon, or transfer to a squeeze bottle and use that to drizzle.

Refrigerate for at least four hours, or until the crackers have softened completely. Garnish with additional berries.

Refrigeration is a must!


Next Ice Box cake on my list to be made... http://www.loveandoliveoil.com/2011/07/strawberry-buttermilk-cake-with-preserved-whole-strawberries.html


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