STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE CHEESECAKE

Cheesecake Filling and Whipped Topping

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 packages (16 ounces each) Driscoll's Strawberries
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream, divided
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar, divided
• 1 3/4 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
• 24 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

Strawberry Sauce

• 1 tablespoon water
• 1/2 package (16 ounces) Driscoll's Strawberries, about 7-9 strawberries
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon cornstarch

Shortcake

• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• 
  

Shortcake

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place a circle of parchment paper into the bottom of a 9 inch springform cake pan and grease the sides.
   Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in the bowl of a food processor.
   Add butter and mix in food processor until combined and mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
   Slowly add heavy cream and pulse in food processor until just moistened.
   Gather dough into a ball. Mixture will still be crumbly and loose.
   Gently knead dough on a non-stick surface until just smooth, about five turns.
   Press dough into an even layer in the springform pan.
   Bake for about 20 minutes or until edges are golden.
   Remove cake from oven and remove from cake pan. Allow to cool on cooling rack.

2. Cheesecake filling and Whipped Topping

   1. Freeze metal bowl and whisk for 15 minutes.
      Remove bowl and whisk from freezer and add 1 cup of heavy cream.
      Whip on medium-high speed for a few minutes. Cream will initially bubble a little bit, then start to thicken.
      As the cream starts to thicken, add 1/2 cup of powdered sugar and 1/2 tsp of vanilla extract.
      Whip until soft peaks form, for a total whipping time of about 5-7 minutes. Make sure not to over mix. Set whipped cream aside.
      Add cream cheese to a large bowl and beat until smooth.
      Add 1 tsp vanilla extract and sugar and beat until smooth.
      Fold in whipping cream made in steps 1-5. Set aside.
      Freeze metal bowl and whisk for 15 minutes.
      Remove bowl and whisk from freezer and add remaining 1/2 cup of heavy cream.
      Whip on medium-high speed for a few minutes. Cream will initially bubble a little bit, then start to thicken.
      As the cream starts to thicken, add remaining 1/4 cup of powdered sugar and 1/4 tsp of vanilla extract.
      Whip until soft peaks form, for a total whipping time of about 5-7 minutes. Make sure not to over mix. Set whipped cream aside.

   2. Strawberry Sauce

   1. Add water to pureed strawberries.
      Combine sugar and cornstarch in a saucepan. Stir in strawberry puree.
      Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture thickens and come to a boil.
      Allow to boil for 1 minute, then remove from heat.
   2. Allow to cool while you put everything together.

   3. Assembly

      1. Wash and dry strawberries.
         Slice about 6 strawberries into thin strawberries to use around the outside edge.
         Cut the tops off of about 3 cups of small to medium sized strawberries (about 18-20 strawberries).
         Line the same 9 inch springform pan used for the shortcake with parchment paper on the bottom and sides. The parchment paper should stick above the edges of the pan about an inch or two.
         Place shortcake in the bottom of the pan.
         Line the sides of the pan with the sliced strawberries, using the prettiest slices.
         Add about 1/2 cup of the cheesecake filling on top of the shortcake and spread into a thin layer, filling any gaps around the shortcake and sliced berries.
         Place the strawberries, thick side down, on top of the cheesecake. Leave some space between each of the strawberries so that they aren't touching and cheesecake can be added to fill in the space.
         Drop remaining cheesecake filling on top of the strawberries in spoonfuls, making sure it fills in all the spaces. Spread the remaining cheesecake evenly over the strawberries. Depending on the size of the berries, they might poke through the top of the cheesecake a bit.
         Spread whipped cream topping on top of the cheesecake.
         Cover loosely and refrigerate until firm, about 4-5 hours.
         Once firm, remove cheesecake from spring form pan and top with remaining strawberries, but into quarters.
         Drizzle with strawberry sauce and refrigerate or serve.
      2. 
         Source: Driscoll's 
      3. 
         
3. 
   

COCONUT TOPPED / CREAM CHEESE SHEET CAKE

I got this recipe from a friend who got it from Just a Pinch. It makes a dense cake. There is no baking soda or baking powder used in this cake.

1 cup butter, softened
2 pkgs (3-oz each) cream cheese, softened
6 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract (or 1/2 tsp vanilla and 1/2 tsp coconut extract)
2 1/4 cups cake flour
1/4 cup coconut milk or cream of coconut (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Spray a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.

Cream together the butter, cream cheese, and sugar; beat in the eggs, one at a time. Beat in the vanilla then mix in the flour. Stir in the coconut milk if using.

Spread the batter into the prepared pan and bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Note: As this cake cools it will fall. That is normal.

Frosting:
Note: Doubling this frosting is recommended.

1/4 cup butter, softened
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 tsp vanilla or coconut extract
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup coconut, toasted, for sprinkling over the top
Note: A few drops of milk, cream, or coconut milk may be added if you prefer a thinner frosting.

Beat the butter, cream cheese, extract, and powdered sugar together until smooth. Sprinkle the toasted coconut over the top.

Cut cake into 24 squares for serving.

BANANA SPLIT COOKIES

1 box milk chocolate brownie mix
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 large egg
1 tbsp water
1 cup dried banana chips, broken into small pieces
1/2 cup chopped nuts
1/2 cup chopped maraschino cherries

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Lightly spray cookie sheets with nonstick baking spray; set aside.

In a bowl, combine the brownie mix, oil, egg, and water by stirring with a fork until a stiff dough forms. Dough will seem dry but will completely moisten as you stir. (You may knead briefly in the bowl by hand, if you prefer.) Stir in the remaining ingredients.

Working with 1 heaping teaspoon of dough at a time, roll into a ball and place 2-inches apart on the prepared cookie sheets. Lighly press each ball with the heel of your hand to flatten slightly.

Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes or just until the center is set. Remove from oven and cool 1 minute on the cookie sheets before removing to wire racks to cool completely.

Variations:
Dried cherries may be substituted for the maraschino cherries.
For additional chocolate punch stir in 1/4 cup chocolate chips.

Note: I got this recipe and picture from Duncan Hines.