Strawberry Icebox Cheesecake

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Looking for the perfect summer dessert? Look no further! This Strawberry Icebox Cheesecake is light, creamy and bursting with fresh strawberry flavor.

 

I know most of you readers are experiencing cooler weather that’s typical of this time of year in North America.  And you’re probably thinking, “Why on Earth are you making a strawberry icebox cheesecake!?  Bake a cheesecake and warm the house up a bit!”  I’m with you, but it’s Florida strawberry season!

 

Did you know that Florida strawberry season starts in December?

 

Yup!  Their season runs from December through April.  This means you can head to your local grocery store to pick up a few packs and savor these sweet red berries.  They are a perfectly healthy way to you get you through winter.  And if you’re like me, you add on a few pounds during those cold, winter months.  The only food you want is comfort food.  That’s why I can’t wait for Florida strawberry season, so I can load up on these totally comforting berries.

 

 

Florida strawberries are sweeter than berries from other places because they’re shipped from Florida.  This makes them fresher, too!  And fresh berries are perfect for recipes like this easy strawberry mousse.  They always last longer in my fridge than berries trucked in from farther away, which is why I can’t wait until they’re in season. 

 

Yes, I know that doesn’t answer the question of why not bake a cheesecake and warm the house up.  And the answer is simple.  While baking strawberries is a delicious option, I want to taste that fresh flavor that baking these berries in a traditional cheesecake would miss.  This strawberry icebox cheesecake has FRESH strawberry flavor that is completely comforting to me.  

 

 

I don’t know about you, but a favorite family dessert at our house is strawberry shortcake.  We purchase those little pound cake cups, fresh strawberries, and some whipped cream and make a simple, healthy-ish dessert for dinner.  We macerate the berries with a little sugar to get that syrupy sweet juice that the pound cake soaks up.  It reminds me of family dinners with my parents and now we’re creating memories with my new family and that delicious dessert.

 

Even strawberry preserves holds a place in my heart.  I baked some delicious strawberry bars with the strawberry preserves I made.  It’s also delicious in this healthy strawberry yogurt.  Not only does making preserves remind me of Nana, but I also love making preserves to have that fresh strawberry flavor year-round!  Who doesn’t?  Other methods included drying them, freezing them, and making other jams or jellies from them.  All great ways to save those sweet strawberries for later.

 

 

And that, dear readers, are only a few of the reasons why I can’t wait for strawberry season to begin.  There are so many recipes you can make with these healthy berries.  You can make this no bake strawberry cheesecake or these strawberry cheesecake bars. Their versatility is surprising!  From muffins to salads to cookies and even delicious ,  strawberries fill my fridge (and pantry) every time they’re in season.

 

I will admit that icebox cake or icebox cheesecake is not something that I’ve made before, so it’s not a true comfort food to me.  And that’s okay.  It’s going to be from now on.  Because this strawberry icebox cheesecake tastes so delicious, it’s becoming a new comfort food for us!

 

 

What is strawberry icebox cheesecake?

 

If you’re not familiar with an icebox cake, it typically consists of a whipped cream mixture and wafer cookies.  This leaves so much open to interpretation!  What kind of wafer cookies?  Does it actually have to be wafer cookies?  Is it just straight up whipped cream or is it flavored?  These are all ways that an icebox cake can have hundreds of versions

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This one has a cheesecake flavored whipped cream filling.  It has honey graham cracker layers.  And then there’s the fresh, Florida strawberries sandwiched in between the two.  As you can see, they are bright and vibrant in color in this otherwise monochromatic recipe.  You just know, by looking at them, that they will pop with sweet strawberry flavor when you take a bite.

 

 

See what I mean?  Do you see those layers of creamy cheesecake filling and the sweet graham crackers?  Then, do you see how those berries just pop?  I know that you’re drooling.  I can see it.  You’re imagining what this will taste like when you make it.  And that’s okay!  It doesn’t take any time at all to make.  You could have it for dessert tonight if you wanted to!

 

And I’m not ashamed to say a few of them didn’t make it in this strawberry icebox cheesecake.  I’m also not ashamed to say I did lick the spatula.  You have to sample the recipe before you serve it up, right?  When a dessert looks this good, it’s a must to make sure the flavors are spot on.

 

 

And they truly are spot on.  The cheesecake filling is just sweet enough but not so sweet it overpowers.  The honey graham crackers have a subtly sweet flavor.  Everything comes together to elevate and enhance the sweet, strawberries. 

 

Now, I know you’re slightly envious of me having this for dessert, but don’t be.  Strawberries are in season right now!  So make sure to buy local when it’s delicious Florida strawberries season.  These berries are super healthy and delicious.  They’re perfect in salads, jams and jellies, no bake desserts, yogurt, and especially delicious in this strawberry oat milk smoothie!  So, make sure you stock up and preserve those berries!  You will miss those tasty and sweet strawberries when their season has ended, if you don’t.

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