Description
Strawberry Delight is a no-bake, creamy layered dessert featuring a crunchy graham cracker crust, fresh sliced strawberries, and a luscious cream cheese filling with a strawberry Jello twist. This frozen treat is topped with Cool Whip and makes a refreshing, sweet snack or dessert perfect for warm days and strawberry lovers.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 5 tablespoons melted butter
Filling
- 10 strawberries, sliced
- 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 3 tablespoons strawberry Jello powder
- 8 ounces Cool Whip
Instructions
- Prepare the crust: In a medium-sized bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, vanilla extract, and melted butter together until well combined. Pour this mixture into an 8×8-inch baking dish and press firmly into the bottom to create an even layer.
- Add fresh strawberries: Place the sliced strawberries evenly over the graham cracker crust, creating a single uniform layer.
- Chill the base: Place the baking dish in the freezer and chill for at least 30 minutes to set the crust and strawberries firmly.
- Make cream cheese mixture: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon juice together until smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then continue beating for an additional 3 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
- Whip the cream: In a separate bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream on high speed for about 3 minutes until stiff peaks form.
- Combine mixtures: Carefully fold the whipped heavy cream into the cream cheese mixture, folding slowly and gently until fully combined without deflating the whipped cream.
- Layer cream cheese base: Spread half of the cream cheese mixture evenly over the strawberries in the pan to create a smooth layer. Return the pan to the freezer while preparing the next layer.
- Add strawberry jello mixture: Fold the strawberry Jello powder gently into the remaining cream cheese mixture until evenly incorporated. Spread this strawberry-flavored cream cheese layer evenly over the plain cream cheese layer in the pan.
- Freeze again: Place the pan back into the freezer for 20 minutes to allow the layers to firm up.
- Top with Cool Whip: Spread the Cool Whip evenly over the strawberry layer. Return the pan to the freezer and chill for at least 1 hour before serving.
- Garnish and serve: Optionally garnish with chopped fresh strawberries and extra graham cracker crumbs. Enjoy this dessert frozen for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature for smooth mixing.
- Use fresh strawberries for the best flavor; you can substitute with frozen strawberries if thawed and drained.
- Do not overfold the whipped cream to keep the filling light and airy.
- Keep the dessert frozen until ready to serve for optimal texture.
- This dessert can be prepared a day in advance and stored in the freezer.
