Cherry Topped Icebox Cake Food

CHOCOLATE CHERRY ICEBOX CAKE

Steps:

• Pour 3 cups whipping cream in the bowl of a stand mixer, then add 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar. Whip on high speed until stiff peaks form, about 2 minutes. Scrape the whipped cream out of the bowl and set aside for cake assembly.
• Pour the remaining 3 cups whipping cream into the stand mixer bowl, then add the cocoa powder, vanilla extract and remaining 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar. Whip on high speed until stiff peaks form, about 2 minutes. Set this chocolate whipped cream aside for cake assembly.
• Assemble the cake on a round serving platter or cake stand. Place 2 tablespoons of the plain whipped cream in the center of the platter. Spread it into a very thin layer, forming a 10-inch round to secure the first layer of wafers. Place 9 wafers, side by side, around the inner edge of whipped cream. Fill the center of the wafer circle with 3 more wafers (break 1 of the 3 wafers in half to fill the center neatly like a puzzle).
• Spread a third of the chocolate whipped cream (about 1 cup) in an even layer on top of the wafers using a small offset spatula. Be sure to push the whipped cream almost to the edge of the wafers, leaving just a bit of the wafers exposed. Repeating the same pattern, make another wafer layer with 12 wafers. Next, place a third of the whipped cream (about 1 cup) on top of the wafers in an even layer. Top the whipped cream with another layer of wafers. Repeat this process to create 4 more layers, alternating between the plain whipped cream and chocolate whipped cream, each separated by a layer of 12 wafers. Place the cake into the refrigerator to set up 8 hours or up to overnight.
• For the cherry sauce: Meanwhile, combine the frozen cherries, granulated sugar, honey, salt, lemon juice and 1/2 cup tart cherry juice in a medium saucepot. Cook over medium-high heat until the sugar dissolves and the cherries soften, about 8 minutes. Whisk the cornstarch with the remaining 1 to 2 tablespoons of tart cherry juice in a small mixing bowl to create a slurry. Drizzle the slurry into the cherry mixture, stirring constantly, then cook at a low simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce develops a smooth velvety texture, 2 to 3 minutes. Put the sauce in the refrigerator to cool until the icebox cake is ready to serve.
• Remove the cake from the refrigerator. Top with the cold cherry sauce and serve immediately.

CHERRY-TOPPED ICEBOX CAKE

Steps:

• Line 13x9 inch pan with some of the graham crackers, breaking crackers, if necessary.
• Pour cold milk into bowl.
• Add pudding mix.
• With electric mixer at low speed, beat until well blended, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Let stand 5 minutes, then blend in whipped topping.
• Spread half of the pudding mixture over crackers.
• Add another layer of crackers.
• Top with remaining pudding mixture and remaining crackers.
• Spread cherry pie filling over crackers.
• Chill about 3 hours.

CHOCOLATE-CHERRY ICEBOX CAKE

Steps:

• For the icebox cake: In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on high speed, beat together the cream, sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form. Transfer to a large resealable freezer bag or a pastry bag fitted with a large round tip. (If using a freezer bag, snip off a corner when ready to pipe.)
• Arrange an even layer of cookies in a 9-inch springform pan (or on a large flat plate). Spread the cookies with a 1/4-inch layer of whipped cream, leaving a narrow border at the edges. Repeat with the remaining cookies and cream; there should be 7 to 8 cookie layers total. End with a layer of whipped cream and then pipe cream on top in concentric circles to simulate a bumpy cake. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
• For the cherry sauce: Bring the cherries, sugar and 2/3 cup water to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring often. Stir together the cornstarch and 1/4 cup water in a small bowl until smooth. Stir the cornstarch slurry into the boiling cherry mixture. Return to a boil and cook until thickened, stirring constantly, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon juice. Puree in a blender or with an immersion blender.
• To serve, dust the top of the icebox cake with cocoa powder and drizzle with cherry sauce.

CHERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• Drain cherries, reserving juice. Set cherries aside. Add enough water to juice to equal 1-1/4 cups. In a saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch. Stir in juice. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. , Remove from the heat. Stir in the butter, vanilla, cherries and food coloring if desired. Serve warm over cake or ice cream.