Strawberry Banana Ice Pops Food

FROZEN STRAWBERRY PIE

Steps:

• For the crust: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter the bottom and sides of a 10-inch pie dish and set side.
• In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, granulated sugar, ginger and melted butter. The texture should resemble wet sand. Press the crumbs into an even layer in the bottom and up the sides of the pie dish. Use the bottom of a measuring cup or glass to pack the bottom crust firmly. Bake until the crust firms up and browns lightly, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside on a rack to cool completely.
• For the filling: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the heavy cream to stiff peaks. Transfer to a medium bowl and refrigerate.
• In the same mixing bowl of the electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese on medium speed until smooth. Slowly pour in the condensed milk and continue to mix until incorporated and smooth. Add the lemon zest and juice and salt and beat on medium-high speed until combined, 1 to 2 minutes. If necessary, transfer the mixture to a large bowl to allow for the whipped cream. Use a rubber spatula to fold the raspberries into the filling mix, then fold in the whipped cream.
• To assemble: Spoon the filling into the completely cooled crust. Freeze the pie for at least 6 hours, up to 12 hours.
• For the topping: In a medium bowl, toss the strawberries with the brown sugar and vinegar. Remove the pie from the freezer, top with the strawberry mixture and serve.

STRAWBERRY-BANANA SMOOTHIE

Steps:

• Blend the banana, strawberries, yogurt, milk, honey, cinnamon and 1 cup ice in a blender until smooth. Pour into a glass.

STRAWBERRY CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• For the puree: Pulse the strawberries in a food processor, scraping as needed, until a smooth puree forms. Add the strawberry puree to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the puree reduces by half (to about 1 cup). Transfer the puree to a bowl and set aside to cool.
• For the cake: Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Lightly coat two 9-inch round cake pans with nonstick baking spray. Line the bottoms with parchment rounds; lightly coat parchment with nonstick spray.
• Whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt and baking soda in a large bowl until combined. Beat the butter, granulated sugar, oil and vanilla in another bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the whole eggs and yolks one at a time, beating to blend between additions and occasionally scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl, until the batter is completely combined, smooth and creamy. With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients in 3 additions, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Fold in 1/2 cup of the cooled strawberry puree. Reserve the rest of the puree for the frosting.
• Scrape the batter evenly into the prepared pans. Smooth the tops. Bake, rotating the pans halfway through, until the cakes are a light golden brown and a tester inserted into the centers comes out clean, 35 to 45 minutes. Transfer the pans to a wire rack and let the cakes cool for 30 minutes. Run a knife around the sides of the cakes and invert onto the wire rack. Remove the parchment and let the cakes cool completely.
• For the frosting: Beat the cream cheese in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and fluffy. Gradually beat in the butter, beating until smooth. Sift the confectioners' sugar into the bowl and beat until smooth. Add the vanilla and beat until light and fluffy. Remove 3 cups of the frosting to a medium bowl and set aside. Fold the reserved strawberry puree into the remaining frosting. Refrigerate both until slightly chilled and firm, about 20 minutes.
• To assemble the cake: Place one cake domed-side down on a platter. Spread 1 1/2 cups of the strawberry frosting evenly over the top. Place the remaining cake domed-side up on top. Spread the top and sides of the cake with 1 1/2 cups of the white frosting. Smooth out completely to make an even crumb coat. (It's okay if some of the cake shows through. This is just a base layer.) Refrigerate for 30 minutes to let the frosting set.
• Spread the remaining white frosting on the top of the cake and the upper half of the sides. There should be a band all around the bottom of the cake with the crumb coat exposed. Fill in the exposed area with 1 cup of the strawberry frosting. Use a large offset spatula to smooth the top and sides of the cake. The strawberry and white frostings should blend together during smoothing to create an ombre effect. Transfer the remaining strawberry frosting to a piping bag or resealable plastic bag fitted with a medium star tip. Pipe 8 rosettes evenly spaced along the top border of the cake.