Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream Bars
One of the things I knew I wanted to make with our freshly picked strawberries was these ice cream bars. I made them last year with a blueberry compote and lemon ice cream. They were a big hit and I even mentioned at that time that I wanted to try them again with a strawberry compote and cheesecake ice cream.
Now last year I was able to use dairy free ice cream and add lemon to it so I could eat these bars. This year though, I had a really hard time even finding cheesecake flavored ice cream. After searching a couple grocery stores, all I could find was brownie cheesecake ice cream and strawberry cheesecake ice cream. Both sounded amazing, but I really just wanted plain cheesecake flavored ice cream. I had seen it pop up in various food blogs so I knew it was possible.
Then someone suggested ColdStone. Luckily there is one near us so I stopped by to grab a quart of the stuff. Unfortunately, I couldn’t eat any of it. I’m pretty sure my stomach would hate me for at least a month even if I ate just one bite…
The bars from last year had a LOT of ice cream in them. They were actually pretty hard to eat because they were just too big to bite in to. So I knew I wanted to cut back the amount of ice cream. I ended up using about 1 1/2 pints of ice cream this time around and I think that’s a better ratio.
Hubby had a bowl of ice cream by itself while I was assembling these bars and he said the ice cream by itself was “weird”. I gave him a dollop of the compote on top of his ice cream and he just said “Oh yea, that’ll be awesome”. Hubby was able to confirm what what we assumed about these guys. They are decadent and delicious.
Two Years Ago: Blueberry Muffins
Check out my SECOND week of Strawberry Recipes HERE
Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream Bars
Yield: 8 bars
Ingredients:
For Strawberry Compote
2 cups strawberries
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons cornstarch
For Sandwich Layers
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 pints cheesecake ice cream
Directions:
For the Strawberry Compote
Cook strawberries and sugar in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium-high heat, thoroughly crushing strawberries with a potato masher, until juices are released and sugar has dissolved, about 2 minutes.
Stir together lemon juice and cornstarch, then stir into strawberry mixture. Boil, stirring, 1 minute (mixture will thicken).
Transfer strawberry compote to a bowl and chill until cold, about 1 hour.
For the Sandwich Layers (while Compote Chills)
Preheat oven to 375°F with rack in middle. Butter baking pans and line with foil, leaving a 1-inch overhang on each side, then butter foil.
Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl. Beat together butter and brown sugar in another bowl with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in egg and vanilla. At low speed, add flour mixture in 2 batches, mixing until just combined.
Divide batter between baking pans and spread into thin, even layers with offset spatula. Bake until golden-brown but still tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Cool completely in pans, about 30 minutes.
Assemble Sandwiches
Drop spoonfuls of the compote on the bottom cookie, then top with all of the ice cream, then add the rest of the compote on top of the ice cream. Use a knife to swirl the compote and ice cream together. Invert second sandwich layer over ice cream, pressing gently to form an even sandwich. Wrap baking pan in plastic wrap and freeze until firm, at least 2 hours.
Transfer sandwich to a cutting board using overhang. Trim edges if desired, then cut into 8 pieces.
I am Jen the Beantown Baker. Engineer by day and baking maven by night. Hubby serves as my #1 fan and official taste tester. We got hitched back in 2006. Barefoot. In the sand. With the waves crashing behind us. It was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. 
these look so fun! i, too, am LI, but i carry lactaid with me everywhere… and jp licks makes a lactose free flavor 🙂
Lactaid is my best friend. I have spare pills in the car, in Hubby’s wallet, in my purse and desk. Can’t ever be too prepared! I have had their lactose free flavors and they’re quite tasty. I wish they had more than one a month though!
Ooooh. This looks too good. I’m gonna have to try that.
I love the idea of using the cone method for ice cream cupcakes. I hadn’t thought of that. That strawberry down the middle of the cupcake is so perfect! I’m so glad you entered again!
I wouldn’t be able to live without ice cream! Your cupcakes are beautiful. Good luck in the competition!!!
They look pretty! Love the photo of the cross section where you can see the strawberry.
~ingrid
Those cupcakes look scrumptious! Oh, and you’ve gotta try Purely Decadent made with Coconut Milk Ice Cream! It’s rich and creamy, a lot like gelatto!
Thanks Vegiegail – I’ll have to check that out.
So cute! These are so pretty with the strawberry in the middle and they look delicious.
voted for your strawberry one..good luck!
gorgeous. love the inset strawberry. love the Neapolitan theme.
bethany@scoopalicious
I agree with you about the non-dairy ice creams available in stores. However, If you have an ice cream maker vegan chick-0-stick ice cream is unbelievably rich, creamy and delicious.
Here is the recipe http://couldntbeparve.blogspot.com/2008/09/chick-o-stick-ice-cream_04.html
Hey, these cupcakes sound awesome! I use to be Lactose Int., but I found the best cure ever & seriously have been L.I. cured for 7 years. I could not give up my dairy & use to take 3 Lactaid every time I ate.I heard about “Lactogen” on the radio on the way home from a trip. I would do anything to get rid of my L.I. so it was $90.00 at the time so I said what the heck I spent $200.00 a year on Lactaid. I was floored that it worked & 7 years later still no signs. I drink milk every morning, cheese everyday, & ice cream when ever. It retrains your body to except lactose, so for 42 days while you take it (a mix to drink with water) you have to stay away from all dairy & anything with dairy in it. I just went to the health food store during that time. I am sure you can find it on the web. Lactogen is the name
This is my second post, it erased my first. But for all you suffering with Lactose Int. try Lactogen it really works I have been cured for going on 7 years now. It was only $90.00 when I tried it & I was spending $200 a year on Lactaid at the time. I now can drink milk every morning, & eat cheese every day & ice cream when ever. It is not an on going thing you take it once for 43 days & that is it.