STRAWBERRY BANANA PUDDING ICEBOX CAKE

Strawberry-Banana Pudding Icebox Cake Recipe

 Active Time Total Time

40 Mins 4 Hours 40 Mins

Yield Serves 8

  Strawberries add brightness to this fun take on banana pudding. Instead of the usual vanilla wafers, use graham crackers, which make neater slices. An instant hit with your family and guests, this recipe makes delicious use of the fresh strawberries you pick up at the local farmers’ market.

Ingredients

1 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup cornstarch

1/8 teaspoon salt

4 large egg yolks

2 cups half-and- half

3 tablespoons butter

How to Make It

Step 1 Whisk together granulated sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a heavy saucepan. Whisk together egg yolks and half-and-half in a small bowl. Add to sugar mixture; whisk until smooth. Bring mixture just to a boil over medium, whisking constantly. Boil 1 more minute, whisking constantly; remove from heat. Add butter and zest;

      

 1 tablespoon lemon zest plus 1⁄4 cup fresh juice (from 2 lemons)

27 graham cracker squares (about 2 1⁄2 x 2 1⁄2 inches)

4 large bananas, sliced

1 (16-oz.) container fresh strawberries, sliced

1 cup heavy cream

1/4 cup powdered sugar

Crumbled graham crackers and halved strawberries for topping

whisk until butter melts. Gradually whisk in juice just until blended. Fill a sink or large bowl halfway with ice. Pour custard mixture into a metal bowl; place bowl on ice. Let stand, stirring occasionally, until custard is cold and slightly thickened, 8 to 10 minutes.

Step 2 Line the bottom and sides of an 8-inch square pan with plastic wrap, allowing 4 inches to extend over all sides. Place 9 graham cracker squares in a single layer in bottom of pan to form a large square. (Crackers will not completely cover bottom.) Place a layer of banana slices, with sides touching, on graham crackers; place a layer of strawberry slices on top of bananas. Spread half of custard on top of strawberries. Repeat

layers once, beginning and ending with graham crackers. Pull excess plastic wrap at sides tightly over cake; chill 4 hours or overnight.

Step 3 Lift cake from pan, using plastic wrap as

      

handles.

Step 4 Beat cream with an electric mixer on high speed until foamy; gradually add powdered sugar, beating until medium-soft peaks form. Spread on top of cake. Top with crumbled graham crackers and strawberry halves.