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This easy strawberry delight recipe is a creamy, dreamy no-bake dessert layered with a buttery crust, fluffy cream cheese filling, and sweet strawberries on top. It’s the kind of treat you can make ahead for potlucks, holidays, or warm-weather gatherings—and it always disappears fast.
Love no bake desserts? Me too! Add this No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie and No-Bake Cheesecake to your recipe box too.
Why you’ll love this strawberry delight recipe!
Not sure what to bring to that backyard barbecue, 4th of July picnic or Valentine’s Day celebration? I’ve got you covered: this strawberry delight dessert recipe is IT.
If you love no-bake recipes, you will flip for this incredible strawberry dessert. Full of strawberry flavor (much like my strawberry crunch poke cake and strawberry scones), it couldn’t be any more perfect for spring and summer. Especially since you don’t even need to turn on the oven to make it!
The whole dessert starts with a homemade graham cracker crust. Fresh sliced strawberries are layered on top. Then, we mix whipped cream, cream cheese, and vanilla for a creamy, fluffy filling, followed by a layer of strawberry filling. Then, we top the whole dessert with lots of fluffy Cool Whip. Doesn’t this just sound so divine?!
Here are just a few highlights of this recipe:
- Completely no-bake: Perfect for hot days when you don’t want to turn on the oven.
- Layers of flavor and texture: Buttery crust, creamy filling, and juicy strawberries make every bite irresistible.
- Make-ahead friendly: This dessert actually tastes better after a few hours in the fridge.
- Crowd-pleasing classic: It’s nostalgic, familiar, and loved by kids and adults alike.
Go ahead, try it and let me know what you think!
Table of Contents
Ingredients You’ll Need
The complete ingredient list with measurements is in the recipe card below, but here’s a quick overview.
For the Crust:
- Graham cracker crumbs – If you do not have graham cracker crumbs, you can grind up whole graham crackers. You will need about 14 graham crackers to make 1 1/2 cups of crumbs.
- Granulated sugar – Not just for sweetness; this also helps bind the crust together.
- Melted butter – Unsalted butter works best.
- Strawberries – Use fresh strawberries, not frozen.
For the Cheesecake Layers:
- Heavy whipping cream – For that light, fluffy whipped texture.
- Cream cheese – Use full-fat, brick-style cream cheese. Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature. Cold cream cheese will make lumps in the batter, while soft cream cheese will blend right in!
- Powdered sugar – Sweetens the cream cheese layer without making it grainy.
- Strawberry Jello – The smaller, 3-ounce box of Jello will be plenty for this recipe!
- Cool Whip – Any brand of frozen whipped topping will work, but I think Cool Whip has the best flavor.
- Vanilla – Use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor.
- Lemon Juice – Enhances the flavor of the filling.
Variations
- Use raspberry Jello in place of strawberry and fresh raspberries rather than strawberry slices to make a raspberry delight.
- Replace the vanilla extract with almond extract for a flavor twist. Almond extract has an aromatic, cherry-like flavor that’s just amazing!
- Make this Blueberry Delight recipe!
How to Make Strawberry Delight
- Prepare the crust: Mix the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, vanilla, and melted butter in a medium mixing bowl. Pour the mixture into an 8×8 baking dish, pressing the crumbs into the bottom of the pan to form an even layer.
- Add the strawberries: Layer the strawberries evenly on top of the graham cracker crust. Then, transfer the dish to the freezer for 30 minutes.
- Add the cheesecake layer: Beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and lemon juice. In a separate bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream. Fold the whipped heavy cream into the cream cheese mixture. Spread half over the strawberries and freeze.
- Create the strawberry layer: Add the powdered strawberry Jello to the remaining cream cheese mix, folding gently. Scoop the strawberry filling into the pan, spreading it over the cream cheese filling. Freeze again for 20 minutes.
- Finish: Spread the Cool Whip on top of the strawberry layer. Then, return the strawberry delight to the freezer for at least an hour or until set. Top the dessert with chopped fresh strawberries and graham cracker crumbs, if desired.
Storage Instructions
Strawberry delight is best served fresh as the crust tends to become soggy the longer it sits. However, once frozen and set, leftovers will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cover the dish with aluminum foil, or transfer pieces to an airtight container to keep them fresh!
Frequently Asked Questions
Strawberry delight typically has a graham cracker crust, a creamy cream cheese layer, and a strawberry topping made with pie filling or fresh berries.
Yes. Most versions, including this no bake strawberry delight, don’t require the oven.
At least 2–3 hours total for perfect, clean layers.
Absolutely. It’s a great make-ahead dessert and keeps well in the fridge for several days.
More Amazing Strawberry Dessert Recipes to Try
Quick & Easy Desserts
Mini Strawberry Rhubarb Pies
Quick & Easy Desserts
Strawberry Cake
All Recipes
Strawberry Pretzel Dessert
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Strawberry Delight
Equipment
- 8×8 baking pan
- Two large mixing bowls
- Rubber spatula
- Electric hand mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Offset spatula
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 5 tablespoons melted butter
- 10 strawberries, sliced
Cheesecake Layers
- 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
- 8 ounces Cool Whip
Instructions
- In a medium-sized bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, vanilla, and melted butter together. Pour the mix into an 8×8 baking dish and press the crust into the bottom of the pan, making an even layer.1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs, ¼ cup sugar, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 5 tablespoons melted butter
- Place the sliced strawberries in a single, even layer on top of the graham cracker crust.10 strawberries, sliced
- Place the pan in the freezer to chill for at least 30 minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and lemon juice together until smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl then continue to beat the mix for another 3 minutes so it is light and fluffy.16 ounces cream cheese, softened, 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- In a separate bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream on high speed for about 3 minutes or until stiff peaks form.1 cup heavy whipping cream
- Gently fold the whipped heavy cream into the cream cheese mixture, folding carefully and slowly and stopping once fully combined.
- Scoop half of the cream cheese mixture into the baking pan, layering it on top of the strawberries. Spread the cream cheese mix evenly into the bottom of the baking pan, making a nice, smooth layer. Return the pan to the freezer while you do the next step.
- Add the powdered strawberry jello to the remaining cream cheese mix and fold gently. Once the jello is mixed into the cream cheese, scoop the strawberry filling into the pan and spread it in an even layer on top of the plain cream cheese.3 tablespoons strawberry Jello
- Place the pan in the freezer for 20 minutes.
- Spread the Cool Whip on top of the strawberry layer then return the pan to the freezer to chill for at least an hour.8 ounces Cool Whip
- Garnish with chopped fresh strawberries, and extra graham cracker crumbs or leave plain! Enjoy frozen.
Video
Notes
- Use fresh strawberries. For many recipes, there’s no difference between fresh and frozen. But with strawberry delight, using frozen strawberries will give you a soggy graham cracker crust.
- Don’t use homemade whipped cream. Cool Whip is stabilized, which means it will last longer in the fridge without deflating.
- Plan well. Make sure to plan and allow plenty of time for each layer to freeze. Otherwise, the layers will bleed together!
To make using a 13×9 pan is doubling this recipe too much? TY looks delicious!
How can i make this in a 13×9 is it okay to double the ingredients?
How far in advance can I make this?
Hi Donna! Strawberry delight is best served fresh as the crust tends to become soggy the longer it sits. However, once frozen and set, leftovers will stay fresh in the fridge for up to five days.
I loved this recipe, howevver is there really supposed to be 1 Tablespoon of lemon juice? It tastes sour to me and not quite as sweet. I’m wondering if it should have been a teaspoon instead? thanks!
Hi Chelsea! 1 tablespoon is correct, but you can always adjust it to suit your preferences. 😊