Strawberry Ladyfinger Icebox Cake Food

STRAWBERRY ICEBOX CAKE

Steps:

• Put the cream cheese in a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer until soft. Add the cream, confectioners' sugar, preserves, lemon juice and vanilla, and beat until it just holds stiff peaks.
• Arrange about a third of the graham crackers on the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish (or a loaf pan plus an 8-inch square baking dish), fitting in as many as possible without overlapping. Spoon a third of the cream mixture on top and smooth evenly with an offset spatula. Arrange a third of the strawberries on top in a single layer. Repeat to make three layers of each. Put the remaining graham cracker in a resealable plastic bag and crush it to make crumbs. Sprinkle the crumbs all over the cake. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until the cookies soften, at least 4 hours but preferably overnight.

STRAWBERRY ICEBOX CAKE

Steps:

• Beat cream cheese in a large bowl using a hand mixer or a stand mixer until smooth. Add powdered sugar; beat until smooth.
• Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add 1 cup of the heavy cream and beat at low speed until smooth. Add the remaining 2 cups of cream; beat at medium to medium-high speed until soft peaks form, increasing speed as the mixture begins to thicken. Fold in the vanilla and lemon zest.
• Spoon 1/4 cup of the cream mixture into the bottom of a 9-by-9-inch pan or baking dish; spread into a thin, even layer.
• Top with graham crackers in a single, even layer, breaking them as needed to fit. Spread about 1 1/2 cups of the cream mixture over the graham crackers, smoothing into an even layer using a spoon or offset spatula. Top the cream mixture with an even layer of berries (about 1 1/2 cups). Sprinkle evenly with 1/4 cup almonds, if using.
• Repeat two more times with the remaining graham crackers, cream mixture, berries, and almonds.
• Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least four hours and up to overnight.

HOWARD BULKA'S STRAWBERRY ICEBOX CAKE

Steps:

• The day before serving, make the soaking syrup. Puree the strawberries in a food processor. Push through a sieve to remove the seeds. Combine with the sugar and strawberry liqueur. Thin with a little water if necessary.
• Combine the mascarpone and sour cream. In another bowl, whip the heavy cream until it forms soft peaks. Slowly beat in the sugar. Fold the 2 mixtures together, until smooth and well blended.
• To assemble: Soak the ladyfingers for half a minute or so in the strawberry syrup. Layer half of the ladyfingers on the bottom of a 10-inch springform pan, then cover with half of the cream filling. Repeat with the remaining ladyfingers and cream filling. Smooth the top of the cake, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
• When ready to serve, unmold the cake onto a platter. Garnish with white chocolate and additional whipped cream, if desired.

STRAWBERRY LADYFINGER DESSERT

Steps:

• Place ladyfingers in a single layer in a 13-in. x 9-in. dish; set aside. In a saucepan, bring dessert mix and water to a boil. Cook and stir for 1 minute. Cool for 4-5 minutes; fold in strawberries. Spoon over ladyfingers; spread gently. Cover and refrigerate for 3-4 hours. Spread with whipped topping. Garnish with additional strawberries if desired.