Description
Strawberry Delight is a layered dessert with a graham cracker base, fresh strawberries, no-bake cheesecake and homemade whipped cream.
Ingredients
For the Crust
- 2 cups (240g) graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter
For the Filling
- 2 lbs (32oz) fresh strawberries, washed and dried
- 16 ounces (452g) full-fat cream cheese at room temperature
- ¼ cup (48g) granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon (5ml) pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup (236ml) heavy whipping cream
- ½ cup (65g) powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons strawberry Jello mix
For the Topping
- 1 cup (236ml) heavy whipping cream
- ½ cup (65g) powdered sugar
Instructions
For the Crust
- Grind the graham crackers into a fine crumb using a food process or blender. Combine with melted butter and stir until the crackers are coated. Press into a 9×9 pan. Refrigerate the crust while you prepare the remaining ingredients.
For the Filling
- Thoroughly wash and dry all the strawberries, and remove the stems. First, dice enough strawberries (about the size of a dime) to fill 1 cup. Set aside. Then chop all the remaining strawberries lengthwise and pat dry with a paper towel. Set aside.
- Prepare a batch of whipped cream. Chill the bowl in the freezer for 5-10 minutes. Beat the heavy whipping cream in the chilled bowl at medium-high speed until soft peaks form. Slowly add the powdered sugar and continue beating at high speed until stiff peaks form. Set it aside.
- Beat the cream cheese, sugar, lemon juice and vanilla extract and beat until it’s smooth and free of lumps. Then mix in the prepared whipped cream, and stir with a spatula until it’s well mixed.
- Divide the cheesecake mixture in half. To one half, add the powdered strawberry jello mix and 1 cup of finely chopped berries, and stir until combined.
To Assemble:
- Layer the sliced strawberries over the graham cracker crust, overlapping and filling the gaps.
- Spread the plain cheesecake filling overtop of the strawberries, followed by the strawberry cheesecake filling.
- Prepare the second batch of whipped cream as instructed above. Decorate using 1M piping tip fitted in a large piping bag, or spread evenly over top. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for 4-6 hours until serving.
Notes
- This is decorated with some freeze-dried strawberry dust, but you can also garnish with leftover strawberries
- You can use Cool Whip for either the filling or the topping, or both, which can save you a little bit of time when preparing this. You’ll need two 8-ounce containers. One for the filling and one for the topping.
- Can’t find Strawberry Jello? Try using freeze-dried strawberries instead. Grind them into a fine crumb and mix 3 tablespoons in place of the jello.
- Storage: Once prepared, this should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This is best within the first 3 days but should last up to 5 days.
- Freezing: If you plan to freeze, I recommend not adding the sliced strawberries over the graham cracker crust. Instead, save them to add as a garnish. You can still include the chopped strawberries in the cheesecake layer.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 666
- Sugar: 35.1 g
- Sodium: 354 mg
- Fat: 48.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 53.8 g
- Fiber: 3.5 g
- Protein: 7.1 g
- Cholesterol: 137.8 mg