Strawberry Cream Floats Food

STRAWBERRY PROSECCO FLOATS

Steps:

• Toss the strawberries and sugar in a medium bowl and let sit 30 minutes.
• Divide the strawberries among 4 wine glasses; put 1 scoop of ice cream in each. Fill with prosecco.

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.

STRAWBERRY FIELDS ICE CREAM FLOAT

Steps:

• In each glass, pour 1 tablespoon of strawberry syrup. Pour in 2 tablespoons gin and stir. Add 2 scoops ice cream and top with soda. Garnish with a strawberry.
• In a small saucepan, combine all ingredients and bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer over medium heat until strawberries breakdown and syrup thickens, about 20 minutes. Strain mixture, return to the saucepan, and reduce for 10 more minutes over medium heat, until syrup is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Chill until ready to serve.

VERY BERRY ICE CREAM FLOATS

Steps:

• For each float, place 2 scoops of Ice Cream into a float glass. Top with the desired amount of soda. Garnish each with whipped cream and a cherry. Serve immediately.
• Heat the heavy cream and half-and-half in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until bubbles form around the edges, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla.
• Meanwhile, beat the sugar, honey and egg yolks in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until pale yellow. While whisking, gradually add a little of the hot cream mixture to the egg mixture until combined. Gradually add the remaining cream until all is incorporated, whisking constantly. Return the mixture to the saucepan and stir in the freeze-dried strawberry powder. Cook, whisking constantly, over medium heat until the mixture is thickened and coats the back of a wooden spoon. Stir in a few drops of red food coloring, if desired. Cool completely over an ice water bath, then process in an ice cream maker according to manufacturer's instructions. Transfer to an airtight container and freeze until firm, 3 to 4 hours.