It's been so nice this past week, with temperatures in the mid-70s, that I can almost imagine it's already summer! My roommates and I wanted a cool, creamy dessert this weekend in honor of the balmy weather, and so I came up with this not-too-sweet layered confection using strawberries, since they are in season right now.
Considering I was sort of cooking by the seat of my pants, it came out quite splendidly. The only thing I would do differently is to leave out the cinnamon that I dashed in a little too generously, which I have reflected in the recipe below. If you're looking for a springy dessert that is decadent without being too rich and cloying, this is your new best friend - especially since there's absolutely no baking involved!
Start off with 15 oreos, or another similar chocolate sandwich cookie. Eat a few extra for good measure. Throw your fifteen in a plastic bag and seal it up, releasing any trapped air.
Take a rolling pin and smash away! Alternately, you could use a food processor, but this is way more fun, don't you agree?
Toss your oreo crumbles into a 9x9 square pan and press them down lightly with your hand to even them out. Set this aside while we go into BEAT EVERYTHING mode. As you can tell, this is a very therapeutic recipe, with lots of crushing and beating. Also, it's cheaper than therapy, and you get a delicious dessert at the end.
I'm not really seeing a downside here.
In a mixing bowl, pour 1/2 cup of heavy cream and beat it with an electric mixer or a whisk. You want it pretty stiff, so if you're going for the whisk, be prepared.
Whipped cream is one of humankind's greater inventions. I think it tops the lightbulb - sorry Edison.
Once it's all fluffy and delicious, set it in the fridge while you work on the cream cheese layer.
In a separate bowl, beat a package of cream cheese (8 ounces) in a similar fashion. You want it to be nice and smooth.
Once it's smooth, add 1/4 cup powdered sugar and a teaspoon of vanilla. You can see the cinnamon I added in the picture above - it didn't ruin the dessert by any means, but I wouldn't add it again. If you're a cinnamon junkie, though, be my guest and add about a half teaspoon.
Take your whipped cream out of the fridge and plop about half into the cream cheese mixture. Fold it in to lighten the mixture. Then, add a tablespoon of powdered sugar to the remaining whipped cream.
Now for the strawberries. Cut up half a pound of strawberries into quarters (or more slices, if they're really big). Mix them with a tablespoon of powdered sugar and a teaspoon of lemon juice and let them sit for five minutes.
Assembly time!
Carefully spread the cream cheese mixture over your oreos. It's going to be messy. Little oreo pieces are going to get stuck in the cream cheese. Don't fret, my friends. The earth will not cease to turn on its axis, your dessert will still taste delicious, and all will be well.
Just make sure to even it out smoothly!
Next come the strawberries...
...and finally, the remaining whipped cream. It won't be a thick layer, and some bits of strawberry may poke through, but I think that just makes it look even prettier.
Now comes the hard part: refrigerate for at least an hour. Overnight is even better, although I confess I tried it long before that. As it sits, the cream cheese turns the crunchy oreo layer into a soft cookie base, and the strawberries and cream start to flavor each other, and it's just wonderful.
All I can say is yum!
Strawberry Oreo Creme Dessert
15 chocolate sandwich cookies, such as oreos
1/2 c. heavy whipping cream
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/4 c. plus 2 T. powdered sugar, divided
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 pound strawberries, hulled and quartered
1 tsp. lemon juice
Crush sandwich cookies finely, press into a 9x9 square pan. In a mixing bowl, whip cream until stiff, set aside. In a separate bowl, whip cream cheese until smooth. Add 1/4 c. powdered sugar and vanilla, combine.
Add half of the whipped cream to the cream cheese mixture and combine. Stir a tablespoon of sugar into the remaining cream.
Combine strawberries with the remaining tablespoon of sugar and the lemon juice, let sit for 5 minutes.
Smooth cream cheese mixture over oreos, making sure to even out the layer. Place strawberries on top, and cover with whipped cream, smoothing the layer. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight, before serving.
If you liked this post, you may also like Orange Chocolate Chip Cheesecake
No comments:
Post a Comment