No Bake Strawberry Shortcake (Printable version)
Creamy layers of whipped cream cheese, juicy strawberries and crunchy graham crumbs, chilled until set.
# Ingredient List:
→ 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
→ Biscuit Layer
08 - 7 ounces graham crackers or vanilla shortbread cookies, crushed (about 20 sheets)
→ Garnish
09 - Additional sliced strawberries (optional)
10 - Fresh mint leaves (optional)
# How to Make It:
01 - Combine sliced strawberries with granulated sugar and lemon juice in a medium bowl. Let rest for 10 to 15 minutes until the berries release their juices.
02 - In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese with sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
03 - In a separate bowl, whip the chilled heavy cream to stiff peaks. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until evenly incorporated.
04 - Spread half of the crushed graham crackers or cookies in the bottom of a 9x9 inch baking dish. Layer with half the cream mixture, followed by half the macerated strawberries and their juices. Repeat with remaining cookie crumbs, cream, and strawberries.
05 - Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours, or overnight, to allow the layers to set fully.
06 - Top with additional fresh strawberries and mint leaves before serving if desired.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- No oven means you can keep things breezy—even when it’s hot outside.
- It’s secretly quicker and prettier than any baked version I've tried.
02 -
- If the cream cheese isn’t fully softened, you’ll end up with little lumps—no matter how much you mix.
- Crushing the cookies unevenly gives subtle crunches and makes each bite a little different—don’t worry about perfection.
03 -
- Be patient during chilling—that wait draws all the flavors together for the perfect bite.
- A gentle hand when folding cream is the secret for that cloud-like texture.