Double Berry Lemon Dessert Food

LEMON BERRY TRIFLE

Steps:

• Slice the lemon pound cake into 9 1-inch slices. Cut into bite-sized cubes. Set aside.
• In a large bowl using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the heavy cream, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract together on high speed into stiff peaks, about 3 minutes. Cover and store in the refrigerator until ready to use in step 3.
• In a large bowl using a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with a paddle or whisk attachment, beat the cream cheese on medium-high speed until creamy. Add the vanilla extract and lemon curd and beat on medium-high speed until combined. Lastly, beat in half of whipped cream (about 2 cups) that you prepared in step 2. Cover and store the remaining whipped cream in the refrigerator until used in step 5.
• This trifle has 3 layers of pound cake, 3 layers of berries, and 2 layers of the lemon cheesecake mixture. Begin with a base of lemon pound cake cubes. Top with an even layer of fresh berries, then half of the lemon cheesecake mixture. Repeat. Finish with final layer of lemon pound cake cubes followed by a final layer of berries. Spread or pipe remaining whipped cream on top of the trifle. I used Wilton 1M piping tip to pipe the whipped cream on top. (Whisk the whipped cream to reincorporate any liquid if needed.)
• Refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 6 hours (see make ahead tip if you wish to store longer). You can refrigerate uncovered for 2-4 hours, but I recommend loosely covering if storing longer than that. The time in the refrigerator gives the flavors a chance to settle and allows the pound cake to soak up some of the lemon cheesecake mixture.
• Garnish with extra berries and/or lemon slices and serve cold. Cover and store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.

LEMON AND BERRY ICEBOX CAKE

Steps:

• Place the cream, powdered sugar and vanilla in a large bowl and, using a hand mixer, whip until stiff.
• Spoon one-third of the whipped cream mixture into a 10-inch round springform pan, smoothing evenly with a spatula. Top with half of the lemon cookies. Stir the raspberry preserves and disperse as evenly as possible over the cookies. Sprinkle over half of the raspberries, then top with another third of the whipped cream, followed by the remaining cookies. Stir the blueberry preserves and distribute as evenly as possible over the cookies. Sprinkle over half of the blueberries, then top with the remaining whipped cream and spread evenly. Garnish with the remaining fresh berries. Cover and refrigerate for 6 hours.
• Run a paring knife around the springform pan and release the wall of the pan from around the cake, leaving the cake on the bottom of the pan. Transfer to a serving platter, top with the mint leaves and slice.

TRIPLE-LAYER BERRY CHEESECAKE BARS

Steps:

• For the cheesecake: Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Pulse the graham crackers and granulated sugar in the bowl of a food processor until fine crumbs form. Drizzle in all the butter while pulsing until the mixture is wet and comes together. Tightly press into the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Chill until ready to use. Clean out the bowl and set aside to use later.
• Combine the gelatin with 1/3 cup warm water in a small microwave-safe bowl and set aside to soften, about 5 minutes. Beat the cream cheese on medium-high speed in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (or in a large bowl if using a hand mixer) until completely smooth, about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the confectioners? sugar, sour cream, lemon juice, vanilla and a pinch of salt and beat on medium-high speed until incorporated and smooth, about 1 minute.
• Microwave the gelatin until melted, stirring as needed, about 30 seconds. Add the gelatin to the cream cheese mixture and beat on medium-high speed to combine, about 30 seconds. Pour a third of the mixture on top of the graham cracker crust and smooth out with an offset spatula. Refrigerate until slightly set, about 30 minutes. Evenly divide the remaining batter between 2 medium bowls.
• Meanwhile, puree the raspberries in the bowl of a food processor until smooth. Fold the puree into one of the bowls and stir gently until completely combined. Pour on top of the plain batter and smooth with an offset spatula. Refrigerate until slightly set, about 30 minutes.
• Clean out the bowl of the food processor and puree the blackberries until smooth. Fold into the remaining batter and stir gently until completely combined. Pour on top of the raspberry batter and smooth with an offset spatula. Refrigerate until all three layers are completely set, about 2 hours.
• For the streusel: Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in the flour, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, pecans and cinnamon and cook, stirring frequently and breaking up the clumps as needed, until the mixture is lightly toasted, 5 to 6 minutes. Spread out onto a baking sheet and break up the crumbles so it resembles granola. Let cool completely, about 1 hour.
• Cut the cheesecake into bars and sprinkle with the streusel before serving.