A non-modified strawberry,hmmm. Sweet, tart. Off the vine, it makes for delicious fruit snacking and some kind of sweet, strawberry slurping sensation. What if we told you there was a new way to prepare this elicit favourite, especially if you're looking to put a frosting on top of (). What say ye to a strawberry frosting of the freeze-dried sort? Still with us? Stay put!
The Beauty of Freeze Dried Strawberries
Why Use Freeze Dried Strawberries in Frosting
I love this stuff, because freeze dried strawberries are fantastic. They have all that wonderful strawberry flavour, which you could supplement with freeze dried strawberry powder, but freeze dried strawberries impart that same flavour, in a much more concentrated version. That means you have to use a lot fewer strawberries to get the same strawberry taste in your frosting – you get an intense strawberry flavour without the extra water content of fresh strawberries that will make your frosting too runny and drippy.
The Science Behind Freeze Drying Process
This fast and convenient process of drying strawberries in a pressure chamber, which is known as freeze drying or lyophilisation, works by first freezing the strawberries, then reducing the ambient pressure enough to allow the ice in the frozen fruit to skip right from the solid phase to the gas phase (that is, to sublimate). The strawberries emerge lighter and crunchier and more intense in flavour.
Creating Strawberry Frosting With Freeze Dried Strawberries
Gathering the Ingredients
Homemade strawberry frosting with freeze dried strawberries? You will need the following ingredients: butter, powdered sugar, freeze dried strawberries, milk and vanilla extract. Are you ready?
The Process
Grind your strawberries in a food processor until they are completely powdered. Then add them to the powdered sugar. Cream the butter before taking a shaking handful of your strawberry-sugar mixture and adding that to the butter. Then add in the milk and vanilla. The result: freeze dried strawberry frosting.
Pro Tips for Best Results
And I promise, feel free to add more milk if you want your frosting a little thinner. And remember, you will want to sift your powdered sugar so you don't have lumps in your frosting.
The Advantages of Strawberry Frosting with Freeze Dried Strawberries
Since my goal was to impart a full-bodied strawberry flavour as well as a spreadable consistency, I aimed for the kind that gives a punch as soon as you bite into a frosted cake. Alsace freeze dried strawberries came to the rescue. It also meant that I could use my beloved fruit all-year round.
Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting with Freeze Dried Strawberries
Ingredients Needed
For a tangy twist, try making strawberry cream cheese frosting with freeze dried strawberries.
You'll need cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, freeze dried strawberries, milk, and vanilla extract.
The Recipe
Again, begin by milling the freeze-dried strawberries into a coarse powder, then beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth, before gradually adding your strawberry-sugar. Finally, add the milk and vanilla.
The Perfect Pairing
This cream cheese variant pairs wonderfully with chocolate, vanilla, or even red velvet cake.
Storing and Using Your Frosting
For that reason, store your frosting in an airtight container in the fridge. Then when you finally get to using it, let it come up to room temperature so it’s easy to smear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh strawberries instead of freeze dried? You can – but because fresh strawberries have water content in them, the frosting might come out different than it normally would, using freeze dried strawberries.
Where can I find freeze dried strawberries? – They should be in your supermarket, in the dried fruit aisle.
Can I use any other freeze dried fruits? Yes, you can use other freeze dried fruits, as a way to create your own special frostings.
Can I keep the frosting in the fridge how long?You can keep the frosting in the fridge for up to one week when it is stored in an airtight container.
Can I freeze the frosting for later use?Yes, the frosting can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before using.