No Bake Strawberry Delight

When the summer months hit and you want a sweet treat without turning on the oven, this no bake strawberry delight has you covered. This is the perfect dessert for strawberry season, when fresh berries have the best strawberry flavor. Layers of gluten free graham cracker crust, fresh strawberries and fluffy no bake cheesecake filling covered with dairy free whipped topping is the perfect chilled dessert to serve at your summer gathering.

Some call this strawberry yum yum or strawberry lush. But no matter what you call it, it's a delicious chilled layered dessert that everyone will love!

If you're looking for more no bake desserts, check out my gluten free peanut butter pie, this mixed berry tart, or this amazing no bake blueberry cheesecake - both recipes are gluten free and vegan!

Ingredient Notes

• Gluten Free Graham Crackers - Throw your favorite brand of gluten free graham crackers in a food processor and pulse them to fine crumbs. If you don't have a food processor you can place them in a plastic ziploc and crush them with a rolling pin or a pan.
• Vegan Butter - Melted butter helps to hold the graham cracker crust together. I used Country Crock plant butter, but any butter that is solid when chilled will work. If you're not vegan or dairy free, use regular unsalted butter in the same measure.
• Sugar - A little sugar helps to sweeten the graham cracker crust so it tastes more like cheesecake crust.
• Salt - A tiny bit of salt is added to the crust to enhance the flavor. Don't skip it!
• Strawberries - This recipe is best made with fresh strawberries, since frozen berries will release too much liquid. You'll need about 1 ½ pounds of berries for the puree and sliced berries.
• Vegan Cream Cheese - Miyokos vegan cream cheese is my favorite brand, but any dairy free cream cheese will work fine. If you're not vegan or dairy free, use regular block style cream cheese in the same measure.
• Powdered Sugar - Powdered sugar not only sweetens the cheesecake layer but it also helps the filling to firm up during chilling. Do not swap for another type of sugar.
• Strawberry Extract, Vanilla Extract and Lemon Juice - All three of these just enhance the flavor of the cheesecake filling.
• Vegan Whipped Cream - I used two containers of Coco Whip for this recipe. You could also make homemade whipped cream if you prefer. If you're not dairy free, use the same measure of Cool Whip.

See recipe card for full ingredient list and quantities.

How to Make Reduced Strawberry Puree

Since this recipe doesn't use strawberry jello mix like most recipes, the first step is to create a reduced strawberry puree, which will flavor the cheesecake layer.

• STEP 1: De-stem a half pound of fresh strawberries.
• STEP 2: Puree the strawberries in a high speed blender.
• STEP 3: Add the Strawberry puree to a saucepan over medium heat. Cook while stirring frequently for about 20-25 minutes until it's significantly reduced. It should measure about ½ cup after cooking.
• STEP 4: Set the puree aside to cool to room temperature before preparing the recipe.

How to Make Strawberry Delight Dessert

This recipe is very easy to make with no baking involved. It will just take some patience to wait for it to chill overnight. It's a great make ahead recipe for potlucks and cookouts!

Make the crust

Combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, salt and melted butter in a large mixing bowl. Stir it together until it's well mixed.

Spread the graham cracker crust mixture in the bottom of a 9x9 square baking dish. Use a flat bottomed cup to press it into an even layer.

Prepare the filling

• STEP 1: Add the softened cream cheese to an electric mixer and beat for 2 minutes until smooth and creamy.
• STEP 2: Add the powdered sugar, vanilla, and lemon juice to the cream cheese. Beat again until well combined.
• STEP 3: Add 9 ounces of whipped cream to the cheesecake mixture. Fold it together with a spatula.
• STEP 4: Divide the cream cheese filling into two bowls. To the second bowl, add the reduced strawberry puree and strawberry extract. Mix well.

Assemble the dessert

• STEP 5: Layer sliced strawberries on top of the graham cracker base.
• STEP 6: Spread the plain cream cheese layer over the sliced strawberries, then place the dessert in the freezer for 20 minutes before adding the second layer.
• STEP 7: Spread the strawberry cheesecake filling over the plain cheesecake layer. Cover with plastic wrap and chill overnight.
• STEP 8: Right before serving top with remaining whipped cream and additional sliced strawberries.

Storage

Once everything is assembled, you need to store it in the refrigerator overnight before serving. Beyond that first day of chilling, you can store this for 3 more days. The graham crackers may become softer over time.

This recipe is not suitable for freezing.

Other no bake recipes to consider:

If you try this recipe, please leave a 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 star rating and let me know how you liked it in the comments below.