CREAMY BERRY ICE BOX COOKIE CAKE

INGREDIENTS

3 cups chopped strawberries (about 1 pound)

3 cups mixed berries (raspberries, blueberries and/or blackberries)

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

Finely grated zest and juice of 1 lemon

1 8-oz package cream cheese, room temperature

1 cup confectioners’ sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3 cups cold heavy whipping cream

1 package  cookies (18 in total)

DIRECTIONS

In a medium bowl, toss 1 cup of the chopped strawberries and 1 cup of mixed berries with 1 tablespoon granulated sugar and the juice of 1/2 lemon; set aside to macerate (for about 30 minutes).

Puree 1 cup mixed berries in a blender until smooth.  

Refrigerate the remaining strawberries and mixed berries for topping.

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla and lemon zest until fluffy, about 3 – 5 minutes.  

Add the whipping cream and beat until slightly stiff peaks form, 1 to 2 minutes (you might need to drape a kitchen towel over the mixer to prevent splatters…).  

Transfer half of the whipped cream mixture to a separate bowl and fold in the berry puree.

Line a 9 x 5″ loaf pan with plastic wrap, leaving an overhang on all sides.  

Spread 1 cup of the plain whipped cream mixture in the pan (refrigerate the rest to spread over cake before serving).  

Cover cream layer with a single layer of cookies.  

Spread 1 cup of the berry whipped cream over the cookies, then top with half of the macerated berries and another 1 cup of berry whipped cream.

 Repeat with another layer of cookies, berry whipped cream and the remaining macerated berries and berry whipped cream.  

Top with another layer of cookies.

 Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 6 hours or overnight.

Before serving, toss the remaining strawberries and mixed berries with the remaining 1 tablespoon granulated sugar and juice of 1/2 lemon in a large bowl; set aside to macerate for about 30 minutes.

Uncover the cake and invert onto a platter; remove the plastic.  

Cover with the reserved plain whipped cream.

 Drain the macerated berries well and arrange on top of cake.

 Slice and serve!