Description
This no-bake Strawberry Cheesecake Lush is a creamy, dreamy dessert layered with a buttery crust, cheesecake filling, fresh strawberries, and whipped topping. It’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser for parties, holidays, or summer gatherings!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Crust:
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
For the Cheesecake Layer:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup whipped topping (like Cool Whip)
For the Strawberry Layer:
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
- 1 package (3 oz) strawberry-flavored gelatin (Jell-O)
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1/2 cup cold water
For the Topping:
- 2 cups whipped topping
- Additional fresh strawberries for garnish
Instructions
-
Make the Crust:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a medium bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter until evenly combined.
- Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Bake for 8–10 minutes, then let it cool completely.
-
Prepare the Cheesecake Layer:
- In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
- Fold in 1 cup of whipped topping.
- Spread the mixture evenly over the cooled crust.
-
Prepare the Strawberry Layer:
- In a medium bowl, dissolve the strawberry gelatin in 1 cup of boiling water. Stir until fully dissolved.
- Add ½ cup of cold water and let the mixture cool for about 10 minutes.
- Stir in the sliced strawberries. Gently pour the strawberry mixture over the cheesecake layer. Refrigerate until the gelatin is fully set, about 2–3 hours.
-
Add the Topping:
- Spread the remaining 2 cups of whipped topping over the strawberry layer.
- Garnish with additional fresh strawberries, if desired.
-
Chill and Serve:
- Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to ensure all layers are set.
- Slice and serve chilled.
Notes
- For a no-bake crust, skip baking and chill the crust for 30 minutes before adding the cheesecake layer.
- You can substitute graham cracker crumbs with crushed vanilla wafers or Oreo crumbs for a fun twist.
- Use frozen strawberries if fresh ones aren’t available; just thaw and drain them before using.