Ep 9. Sweet Endings from the Icebox

In season 7 episode 9 of Cook's Country from America's Test Kitchen, titled "Sweet Endings from the Icebox," the team focuses on desserts that can be prepared in advance and stored in the freezer until needed. The episode begins with host Bridget Lancaster and test cook Julia Collin Davison preparing a classic icebox cake, which is made up of layers of chocolate wafers and homemade whipped cream. They explain that the cake needs to sit in the fridge for several hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld and the cookies to soften. They also demonstrate a technique for quickly softening the cookies by sprinkling them with coffee and water.

Next up, Julia shows viewers how to make a frozen lemon pie, which uses only five ingredients and comes together quickly in a food processor. She explains that the key to a good frozen pie is to have a sturdy crust that won't get soggy, and to add enough sugar to the filling to prevent it from freezing too hard. She also shares tips for cutting perfect slices while the pie is still frozen.

Bridget then takes over to prepare a no-bake cheesecake, which uses gelatin to give it a firmer texture that can stand up to freezing and thawing. She explains that using whipped cream and cream cheese together creates a lighter, airier texture than using just cream cheese. She also demonstrates a trick for making a crust using broken-up graham crackers, melted butter, and a food processor.

In another segment, Bridget and Julia taste-test pre-made frozen key lime pies to see how they stack up against the homemade version. They note that while some store-bought pies have a good lime flavor, most suffer from a lack of tartness and a gummy texture. They conclude that making a key lime pie from scratch is well worth the effort, as the homemade version is far superior.

The episode wraps up with a segment on frozen fruit desserts. Bridget and Julia prepare a strawberry granita, which is a refreshing Italian dessert that can be made in a blender and frozen in a shallow dish. They note that the key to a good granita is to scrape it with a fork every 30 minutes as it freezes to create light, airy crystals. They also demonstrate a recipe for frozen chocolate-covered bananas, which can be made ahead and kept in the freezer for a healthy, sweet snack.

Overall, "Sweet Endings from the Icebox" offers viewers a variety of make-ahead dessert options that are perfect for entertaining or just enjoying on a hot summer day. The hosts share helpful tips and tricks along the way to ensure that viewers get the best possible results from their frozen treats.