Bonnies Strawberry Shortcake Pioneer Pie Crust Food

STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE BROWNIES

Steps:

• For the brownies: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8-inch square metal baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Line the pan with parchment, leaving 2 inches overhanging on 2 sides. Grease the parchment with cooking spray.
• In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt the butter with the chocolate, whisking until smooth and fully melted. Whisk in the cocoa powder until combined. Remove from the heat and stir in the granulated and brown sugar until combined. Whisking constantly, add the eggs and mix until fully incorporated. Add the flour and whisk until completely smooth; the mixture will be very thick. Set aside.
• For the cheesecake layer: Beat the cream cheese in a bowl with an electric mixer or in the bowl of stand mixer until smooth. Add the granulated sugar and vanilla and continue to mix until fully incorporated and fluffy. Add the egg and mix until fully combined.
• Spoon the brownie mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking pan, using a spatula to spread it into an even layer. Carefully pour the cheesecake mixture over the brownie layer; distribute evenly and smooth.
• Stir the strawberry jam with a spoon to loosen it. Drop spoonfuls of the jam over the cheesecake mixture. Using a toothpick or skewer, swirl the jam into the cheesecake, being careful not to press too deep and disturb the brownie layer.
• Fill a separate baking dish with hot water and place on the bottom rack of the oven. This will add moisture to the oven during baking so the cheesecake layer does not crack. Place the cheesecake brownie pan on the center rack above and bake for 40 minutes. Turn the oven off and leave in the oven for an additional 10 minutes.
• Remove the brownies from the oven and allow to cool completely in the pan. Refrigerate the pan until the brownies are chilled, 2 to 4 hours. Using the parchment edges, transfer the brownies to a board, then remove the parchment from under. Trim off the edges and cut into 8 bars.

FRESH STRAWBERRY PIE

Steps:

• Prepare crust: Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a food processor, combine shortbread cookies, sugar, flour and salt and blend until you have fine crumbs. Transfer crumbs to a medium mixing bowl. Add butter and mix with a fork until crumbs are evenly moistened. Tip crumbs into a standard 9-inch pie plate and press them in an even layer on the bottom and up the sides of the plate. Bake until golden brown and set, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool completely.
• Prepare filling: Cut each of the strawberries in quarters or eighths, if they are large. Transfer 2 cups berries to a small saucepan and crush completely with a potato masher. Set aside the remaining berries in a large bowl. Add the sugar, preserves, cornstarch, 1 tablespoon water and salt to the saucepan.
• Bring strawberry mixture to a boil over medium heat and then cook it an additional 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add strawberry mixture and lemon juice to the strawberries in the bowl and stir to combine. Transfer to the prepared crust and gently tap it down into an even layer. Transfer to the fridge to set for at least 4 hours.
• Just before serving, whip cream, confectioners' sugar and vanilla, if using, to soft peaks. Top pie with whipped cream.

STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan that's at least 2 inches deep (or you can split the batter between 2 pans if they're not deep enough).
• To make the cake batter, beat together the butter and sugar until fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Add the sour cream and vanilla, then mix until just combined.
• Sift together the flour, cornstarch, salt, and baking soda and add it to the bowl.
• Mix it together until just combined.
• Spread it in the pan or pans and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the cake is no longer jiggly like my bottom.
• Carefully remove the cake from the pan and allow it to cool completely.
• Next, mash the strawberries with a potato masher or a fork (reserve a few for garnish if you like).
• Sprinkle the strawberries with the sugar. Toss them around and allow them to sit for a little while.
• They'll give off this beautiful liquid after several minutes. Try not to drink it with a straw.
• To make the frosting, combine the cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt in a mixing bowl.
• Mix until very light and fluffy. Warning: You'll feel like eating this bowl of icing before you even get it on the cake.
• To assemble the cake, use a sharp knife to cut it in half through the middle. It's easier if you go all around the perimeter of the cake, slicing only halfway through the circle the whole way.
• Lay the two halves cut side up.
• And cover both halves with an equal amount of strawberries. Then--this is an important step!--place the cake halves in the freezer for 15 to 20 minutes. This'll firm up the surface of the strawberries just a bit so that it's easier to spread on the icing.
• Remove the cakes from the freezer and place one layer on a cake stand or platter. Cover with a little less than a third of the icing.
• Place the second layer on top, then spread the top with icing.
• Carefully ice the outside of the cake with the remaining icing.
• Lovely! You can certainly decorate the top of the cake with strawberry slices, too. But I'm hungry and want to eat, so I'll skip that part.
• Store leftovers in the fridge. The cake can be made up to 24 hours in advance.

FRESH STRAWBERRY PIE WITH SPECIAL SHORTBREAD CRUST

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 375.
• Mix together crust ingredients til crumbly, and press into a 10" pie plate with floured fingers.
• Bake empty crust in pre-heated oven for 12-15 minutes, (until very lightly browned on edges).
• Remove from oven and cool completely.
• While the crust is cooling, make the glaze by mixing together the dry ingredients in a pot, then add the boiling water, and cook until the glaze is thickened and clear.
• (I use a whisk and stir constantly) Remove the glaze from heat.
• Add the butter and stir into the glaze until melted.
• Cool the glaze.
• While the glaze is cooling, if your crust is cool enough, add your sliced strawberries to the crust.
• When the glaze is cool, pour it over the sliced strawberries in the pie crust, and chill completely in the fridge until the glaze sets firmly.