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This strawberry delight recipe is a delicious layered dessert that combines a crunchy graham cracker crust, a velvety cream cheese layer, a refreshing strawberry layer, and a creamy layer of whipped topping. You’ll love how quick and easy it is to assemble this dessert!
One of the best things about strawberry season is making the most delicious desserts! Whether you make a delicious strawberry galette to enjoy with guests, no bake strawberry cheesecake cups, or simply have homemade ice cream topped with fresh berries to devour after a day in the sun—you just can’t beat fresh strawberry desserts.
Two more favorites we keep coming back to are homemade strawberry cream cheese danishes and these strawberry muffins. Both are so easy to whip up and make for a perfect dessert or snack-time treat!
Why You’ll Love Strawberry Delight
- Make-Ahead Friendly: This strawberry delight dessert needs some time to set up in the freezer, which makes it perfect for prepping the night before. Take it out 30 minutes before you plan to serve it and enjoy a no-stress dessert that’s ready to go! For another make-ahead dessert recipe, try this no-bake cherry cheesecake dessert.
- Light and Refreshing: The cream cheese mixture along with Cool Whip make for an airy treat with just the right amount of sweetness. It’s a great dessert for family gatherings when you want something fresh, crowd-pleasing, and with simple ingredients.
- Always a Crowd Favorite: The creamy filling combined with fresh fruit always makes this one disappear fast—everyone loves it! Since it’s made in a 9 x 13 pan, it works well for a crowd.
Ingredients
Find the full list of ingredients, amounts, and instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Graham Crackers: Make a crust using graham cracker crumbs and melted butter before starting on the first layer of the cream mixture.
- Cool Whip: Divide the Cool Whip to use between the cheesecake filling and strawberry gelatin layer.
- Cream Cheese: Mix Cool Whip and powdered sugar with cream cheese to create a velvety base for the dessert.
- Strawberry Jell-O: Mix the gelatin with heavy whipping cream for a smooth, fruit-flavored layer that pairs wonderfully with the cream layers.
- Fresh Strawberries (Optional): If you have some fresh berries on hand, a few slices on top add a beautiful touch and that fresh strawberry flavor we adore!
How to Make This Strawberry Delight Recipe
Here are the step-by-step instructions for making this delicious strawberry delight recipe.
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 325°F.
Step 2: Melt the butter in a small saucepan on the stove, or in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Once the butter is completely melted, add it to a bowl along with the crushed graham crackers and flour. Whisk the ingredients together until homogenous (Photo 1). Press the mixture into a 9×13 inch baking pan to form a crust and then bake it for 20 minutes.
Step 3: While the crust is baking, add a little less than half of the Cool Whip to a large mixing bowl with the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar. Whisk the ingredients together until smooth. Use a silicone spatula to spread the Cool Whip mixture over the crust (Photo 2).
Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together the heavy cream and Jell-O mix using a hand mixer on medium speed. Mix for about 2 minutes, or until the cream starts to develop soft peaks. Once it forms soft peaks, spread the strawberry cream mixture over the cool whip layer (Photo 3).
Step 5: Top strawberry delight with the remaining cool whip (Photo 4).
Step 6: Allow strawberry delight to chill in the freezer for 3 ½ hours, or overnight.
Step 7: 30 minutes before you want to serve, set the strawberry delight on the counter. Garnish with optional fresh sliced strawberries, if desired.
Step 8: Slice into squares and serve.
How to Store
Store this dessert in the fridge for up to 3 days covered with plastic wrap. You can pre-slice the strawberry delight before storing it to make it easier to serve.
Expert Tips
- Allow the cream cheese to sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before making the crust for this recipe. This way it will be soft when you’re ready to start on the other layers. If it’s too cold then your first layer might end up a little clumpy.
- You can top off your strawberry delight with sliced strawberries, but you can also leave the top plain.
- Allow the strawberry delight to sit on the counter for 30 minutes before slicing. This way you don’t have to run your knife under hot water to get through the frozen cool whip layers.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, frozen strawberries can be used to garnish the top of the strawberry delight recipe, however, be sure to let them thaw partially so they’re easier to eat.
Plan for the dessert to be in the freezer for at least 3 ½ hours, or make the night before and freeze overnight.
Not at all! It makes the dish look extra pretty with fresh strawberries on top, but the dessert will still taste wonderful without them.
More Fruit Dessert Recipes
- White Chocolate Raspberry Mousse
- No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Cups
- Cherry Crumble
- Strawberry Shortcake Recipe From Scratch
- Strawberry Galette
If you make this recipe and enjoy it, please leave a comment with a 5-star recipe rating and let me know! Thank you!
Strawberry Delight
Equipment
- Electric mixer
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup salted butter, melted
- 1 cup finely crushed graham crackers
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 16 ounces Cool Whip, divided
- 1 8 ounce block cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1 3.4 ounce packet strawberry Jell-O mix
- 1 pint fresh strawberries, for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F.
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan on the stove, or in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Once the butter is completely melted, add it to a bowl along with the crushed graham crackers and flour. Whisk the ingredients together until homogenous. Press the mixture into a 9×13 inch baking pan to form a crust and then bake it for 20 minutes.
- While the crust is baking, add a little less than half of the cool whip to a mixing bowl with the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar. Mix the ingredients together with an electric mixer until smooth. Use a silicone spatula to spread the cool whip mixture over the crust.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the heavy cream and Jell-O mix using a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed. Mix for about 2 minutes, or until the cream starts to develop soft peaks. Once it forms soft peaks, spread the strawberry whipped cream mixture over the cool whip layer.
- Top strawberry delight with the remaining cool whip.
- Cover and allow strawberry delight to chill in the freezer for 3 ½ hours, or overnight.
- 30 minutes before you want to serve, set the strawberry delight on the counter. Garnish with optional fresh sliced strawberries, if desired.
- Slice into squares and serve.
Notes
How to Store
Store this dessert in the fridge for up to 3 days covered with plastic wrap. I like to pre-slice the strawberry delight before storing it to make it easier to serve.Tips
- Allow the cream cheese to sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before making the crust for this recipe. This was it will be soft when you’re ready to start on the other layers. If it is too cold then your first layer might end up a little clumpy.
- We like to top our strawberry delight with sliced strawberries, but you can also leave the top plain.
- Allow the strawberry delight to sit on the counter for 30 minutes before slicing. This way you don’t have to run your knife under hot water to get through the frozen cool whip layers.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This is such a refreshing dessert for summer get-togethers!