No Bake Strawberry Shortcake (Printable)
Creamy whipped cream cheese, macerated strawberries and crunchy crackers layered and chilled until set.
# What goes in:
→ Strawberry Layer
01 - 1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
02 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
03 - 1 teaspoon lemon juice
→ Cream Layer
04 - 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
05 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
06 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
07 - 1 cup heavy whipping cream, cold
→ Cookie Layer
08 - 20 sheets graham crackers or vanilla shortbread cookies, crushed
→ Assembly and Garnish
09 - Additional sliced strawberries (optional)
10 - Fresh mint leaves (optional)
# Directions:
01 - Combine sliced strawberries with 2 tablespoons granulated sugar and lemon juice in a medium bowl. Allow to sit for 10 to 15 minutes until the strawberries release their juices.
02 - Beat softened cream cheese with 1/4 cup granulated sugar and vanilla extract in a large bowl until smooth.
03 - In a separate bowl, whip cold heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
04 - Gently fold the whipped heavy cream into the cream cheese mixture, mixing until fully incorporated and smooth.
05 - Spread a layer of crushed graham crackers or cookies in the bottom of a 9x9 inch dish. Add half of the cream mixture, then half of the macerated strawberries with their juices. Repeat layers: remaining crushed cookies, cream mixture, and strawberries.
06 - Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, ideally overnight, to allow the dessert to set completely.
07 - Top with additional sliced strawberries and fresh mint leaves immediately before serving, if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- You never have to worry about heating up the house on a warm day with this truly simple dessert.
- The way the strawberries, cream, and cookies merge into cake-like lusciousness is a secret shortcut to happiness that I still marvel at.
02 -
- Once I tried rushing the chill time, but the layers slid apart and the flavors didn’t meld—it needs those hours to become sliceable and dreamy.
- Switching from graham crackers to shortbread completely transformed the texture—each absorbs moisture differently, so choose based on your mood.
03 -
- Finely crush cookies for a more cohesive, cake-like layer—chunkier bits make for interesting texture but can muddle the slice.
- Gently fold the cream into the cheese mixture to keep it light—a heavy hand will deflate all those fluffy peaks and leave the cream dense.