What does icebox bars mean?

Iceboxes where used prior to the invention of electrical refrigerators and freezers. They literally had a large block of ice in them that kept the food cold. These gluten free strawberry icebox bars are stored in the freezer. The texture is very similar to ice cream. Icebox cakes have been around for a long time. They generally involve fruit, cream, nuts and/or some kind of wafer. For these icebox bars I used fruit, cream and gluten free pretzels.

How do you make Cool Whip from scratch?

I love to serve these gluten free strawberry icebox bars with fresh whipped cream (Cool Whip). It is so easy to make and the texture is so much lighter and fluffier than store bought Cool Whip. Using you stand mixer and the whisk attachment add 1 cup of heavy whipping cream and 2 tablespoons granulated sugar. Whip on medium high for 5-8 minutes. You will be able to see the whipped cream get thicker and hear the motor on your mixer bog down as the whipped cream forms. To test if the whipped cream is done lift the mixer and see if a stiff peak forms. the whipped cream should be very light and fluffy and should stand up into a peak. If the peak flattens or one doesn't form the mixture needs to be whisked more.

How do you store icebox bars?

After you have made the gluten free strawberry icebox bars they need to be stored in your freezer for at least 8 hours to fully set. Serve them right out of the freezer as they will start to melt in warm weather. Store leftovers in the freezer covered well so they don't get freezer burnt. Make sure you use a baking dish that can also go in the freezer and is freezer safe.

Gluten Free Strawberry Icebox Bars

Name: Gluten Free Strawberry Icebox Bars
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: Gluten Free
Ingredients: 4 cups Gluten Free Pretzels, crushed2 Tbsp. Maple Syrup1/2 cup Unsalted Butter, cold and cubed1-2 Tbsp Cold Water2 cups Strawberries, cored and sliced1 - 14 ounce can Sweetened Condensed Milk4 ounces Cream Cheese, softened1 - 3 ounce package Strawberry Gelatin1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream1/4 tsp. Sea Salt; Whipped Cream:1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream2 Tbsp. Granulated Sugar

Description

This recipe for gluten free strawberry icebox bars is the perfect dessert for summer. They are easy to make with cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, whipping cream and strawberries. I love a quick and easy homemade dessert for summer get togethers.

Ingredients

Scale

4 cups Gluten Free Pretzels, crushed
2 Tbsp. Maple Syrup
1/2 cup Unsalted Butter, cold and cubed
1-2 Tbsp Cold Water
2 cups Strawberries, cored and sliced
1 - 14 ounce can Sweetened Condensed Milk
4 ounces Cream Cheese, softened
1 - 3 ounce package Strawberry Gelatin
1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
1/4 tsp. Sea Salt

Whipped Cream:
1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
2 Tbsp. Granulated Sugar

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Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.

Grease a 9x13 baking dish with coconut oil or butter. Set aside

In a food processor pulse the pretzels into crumbles. Add the maple syrup and butter. Pulse into small clumps. Add water 1 tablespoon as a time and pulse until a dough begins to form.

Press the pretzel mixture into the bottom of the greased 9x13 baking dish. Bake at 375 degrees for 12-15 minutes. The crust will be slightly browned. Set aside to cool.

Process the strawberries in a blender until they are finely chopped.

In a stand mixer whisk the sweetened condensed milk, cream cheese and strawberry gelatin using the whisk attachment until they are smooth. Add the pureed strawberries and whisk together until blended.

In a separate bowl whisk the heavy cream and sea salt on medium high until soft peaks form. Fold the strawberry mixture into the whipped cream mixture until it's folded together.

Pour the strawberry and cream mixture over the cooled pretzel crust. Freeze for at least 8 hours before serving.

Prior to serving whisk the heavy whipping cream and sugar together on medium high speed until stiff peaks form. Serve over the bars.

Notes

When I say fold I mean to pour the whipped cream on top of the strawberry mixture, then take a spatula and gently pull strawberry mixture over the whipped cream until they mix together. You want to keep the airiness of the whipped cream so you don't just want to stir them together.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Frozen
Cuisine: Gluten Free