Desserts | Recipes | Strawberry | Summer
Easy Strawberry Dream Dessert
Easy Strawberry Dream Dessert
This Easy Strawberry Dream Dessert is creamy, light and full of yummy strawberry flavour! With a graham cracker crust and layers of strawberry jello cream cheese fluff, whipped cream and fresh strawberries. Serve this make-ahead dessert chilled.
8 hours 25 minutes
8
If you love strawberries, then you’ll love this Easy Strawberry Dream Dessert! A sweet and buttery graham cracker crust is topped with layers of strawberry jello cream cheese fluff (like strawberry cheesecake), whipped cream and fresh juicy strawberries. Perfect for hot summer days, backyard gatherings, picnics, potlucks and special occasions!
About this dessert:
There are 5 layers to this dessert…don’t worry, it’s easy!
For best results make sure to check out the ‘Recipe Tips’ section!
A perfect make-ahead summer dessert!
This chilled strawberry dessert is a perfect treat in summer! It’s cool, light, fluffy and so so delicious…and the best made with fresh summer strawberries in strawberry season.
Strawberry Dream Dessert Recipe Tips
- STRAWBERRIES: Use fresh strawberries, they have the best flavour!
- JELLO: Use an 85g package of strawberry jell-o.
- CREAM CHEESE: Use an 8 oz block of cream cheese to make the ‘no-bake cheesecake’ layer (you mix cream cheese, strawberry jello, whipped cream and strawberries together to make this layer).
- GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST: I use graham crackers (about 40 squares) to make the crust. I don’t like to use pre-made graham cracker crumbs because I think they’re too salty, and real graham crackers taste so much better.
- ONLY 5 MINUTES OF BAKING TIME: This is almost a no bake dessert as the crust only needs about 5 minutes of baking time. This small baking time helps to make the crust more solid than if it wasn’t baked, which makes it easy for serving.
- WHIPPED CREAM: I prefer to make whipped cream from scratch using heavy cream. BUT you can use 2 cups of Cool Whip or Dream Whip if you prefer.
- BAKING DISH: Use a 9×9 square baking dish. Anything less than 9 will be too small and the layers will be too thick. I used an 8×11 rectangle enamel pan which worked well too.
- LET IT REST: This is a make-ahead dessert! Let it REST for about 8 hours or overnight because the jello powder needs time to dissolve. Then serve CHILLED.
- STORAGE: Keep the leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. I use aluminum foil so that I can ‘tent’ it over the dessert without touching the top. You can also use plastic wrap or any airtight container.
- CAN THIS BE FROZEN? No. Cream based desserts do not freeze well.
Putting it all together:
There are 5 layers in this Strawberry Dream Dessert, and here’s what they look like as you layer everything together:
First layer, graham cracker crust.
Second, strawberry jello cream cheese fluff.
Third layer, whipped cream.
Fourth layer, graham cracker crumb topping.
Prep Tip: Let it chill for 8 hours!
This dessert MUST rest for at least 8 hours, overnight is better because the jello powder needs time to dissolve. Make-ahead desserts are great timesavers!
Easy Strawberry Dream Dessert
This Easy Strawberry Dream Dessert is creamy, light and full of yummy strawberry flavour! With a graham cracker crust and layers of strawberry jello cream cheese fluff, whipped cream and fresh strawberries. Serve this make-ahead dessert chilled.
Ingredients
Graham Crust (and topping):
- 2 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (about 40 graham cracker squares, see notes)
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
Whipped Cream:
- 500 mL heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 1 tbsp powdered sugar
Strawberry Fluff Filling:
- 8 oz cream cheese (1 block) (at room temperature)
- 2 cups whipped cream
- 1 – 85 g box strawberry jello (use powder form)
- 1 cup chopped fresh strawberries
Fresh Strawberry Topping:
- 2 cups chopped or sliced fresh strawberries
Instructions
- There are 4 layers to this dessert. Make each layer in this order.
Graham Crust (and topping)
- NOTE: This makes both the crust AND topping. Once mixed, make sure to separate it into two portions: 2 cups for the crust and 1/2 cup for the topping.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
- Use a food processor to make the graham cracker crumbs. You will need about 40 graham crackers to get about 2 1/2 cups of crumbs. Transfer the graham cracker crumbs to a bowl.2 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- Add the melted butter to the graham cracker crumbs along with the brown sugar. Mix well.1/2 cup butter, melted, 2 tbsp brown sugar
- Measure out 2 cups for the crust (set 1/2 cup aside for the topping). Press 2 cups of the graham cracker mixture into a 9×9 baking dish, in an even layer.
- Bake for 5 minutes, remove from the oven and let cool completely before adding the fillings. Tip: Once the dish is not too hot I actually like to put it in the freezer while I make the fillings.
Whipped Cream:
- Using a stand mixer, whip together the heavy cream, vanilla and powdered sugar until stiff peaks form.500 mL heavy whipping cream, 1/2 tsp vanilla, 1 tbsp powdered sugar
- SEPARATE the whipped cream: you will need 2 cups for the strawberry filling, and the rest for the whipped cream layer.
Strawberry Jello Fluff Filling:
- Using a stand electric mixer with the whisk attachment whip the cream cheese and strawberry jello powder together until fluffy, about 5 minutes.8 oz cream cheese (1 block), 1 – 85 g box strawberry jello
- Mix in the 2 cups of the whipped cream you had set aside.2 cups whipped cream
- Stir in the 1 cup chopped fresh strawberries.
Putting it all together:
- Spread the strawberry fluff mixture over the cooled graham cracker base.
- The spread the remaining whipped cream over the strawberry fluff cream cheese layer.
- Now sprinkle the 1/2 cup graham cracker crust topping mixture that you had set aside, over the top of the whipped cream layer.
- Cover and let chill for at least 8 hours, overnight is best!
- When you're ready to serve this dessert, top with the chopped or sliced strawberries.
- Serve chilled.
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Have a delicious day!
A great easy recipe for a cookout or get together. I made it last night when we had our neighbours over. Everyone loved it! The perfect way to feature in season strawberries. Yum!
I’m so happy you enjoyed it Merry!!