Strawberry Dream Bars

It’s the beautiful days of summer. Fresh strawberries are now in season, and when they are in season, they are at their freshest and the best prices. Strawberries are high in beneficial antioxidants and Vitamin C. Researchers have found that strawberries help regulate blood sugar. Three serving a week of strawberries have been shown to exhibit anti-inflammation properties. I recently bought a 1 pound, (450 grams) clam shell of strawberries and turned them into a wonderful dessert. This dessert is light and delicate, with just the right amount of sweetness. It works best with ripe strawberries. I have developed 2 variations of the same dessert, one using whipping cream, and the other is a low-fat version, for those with gall bladder problems in digesting fat.

Strawberry Dream Bars

Crust

1 1/2 cups graham wafers

1/2 cup butter, melted

2 tablespoons sugar

Filling

3 cups of fresh strawberries, chopped

2 cups of whipping cream

1/3 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

3 pouches of Knox gelatin

1/3 cup water

1/3 cup hot water

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl combine the graham wafers, butter and 2 tablespoons of sugar. Press the mixture into the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch pan. Bake for 10 minutes. Cut up one pound of washed strawberries (you will have approximately 3 cups). Take the crust out of the oven and let it cool. Into a large mixing bowl, add the 2 cups of whipping cream, sugar and vanilla. Beat until soft peaks are formed. In a small bowl add the powdered gelatin and the room temperature water. Stir until dissolved, and then add in the hot water and stir until it is well mixed. Pour the gelatin mixture into the whipped cream mixture, and beat until well combined. Stir in the chopped strawberries. Pour the entire mixture over the graham wafer crust, and spread it out evenly. Chill to allow the gelatin to completely set.

Strawberry Fluff Squares

Crust

1 cup graham wafers

1/4 cup butter, melted

1 1/2 tablespoons sugar

Filling

2 cups of fresh strawberries, chopped

1 tablespoon sugar

2 pouches of Dream whip

1 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 pouches of Knox gelatin

1/4 cup water

1/4 cup hot water

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl combine the graham wafers, butter and 2 tablespoons of sugar. Press the mixture into the bottom of an 8 x8nch pan. Bake for 10 minutes. Cut up washed strawberries until you will have approximately 2 cups, and sprinkle with the sugar. Take the crust out of the oven and let it cool. Into a large mixing bowl, add the 2 pouches of dream whip, milk and vanilla. Beat until soft peaks are formed. In a small bowl add the powdered gelatin and the room temperature water. Stir until dissolved, and then add in the hot water and stir until it is well mixed. Pour the gelatin mixture into the whipped cream mixture, and beat until well combined. Stir in the chopped strawberries. Pour the entire mixture over the graham wafer crust, and spread it out evenly. Chill to allow the gelatin to completely set.