No Bake Strawberry Shortcake (Printable Version)
Creamy, layered no-bake shortcake with macerated strawberries and a graham cracker base, chilled until set.
# What You'll Need:
→ 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
→ Cookie Layer
08 - 20 sheets graham crackers or vanilla shortbread cookies, crushed
→ Garnish
09 - Additional fresh strawberries, sliced (optional)
10 - Fresh mint leaves (optional)
# Directions:
01 - In a medium mixing bowl, combine sliced strawberries with 2 tablespoons granulated sugar and lemon juice. Allow the mixture to macerate for 10 to 15 minutes until the berries become juicy.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, beat softened cream cheese with 1/4 cup granulated sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
03 - In a separate bowl, whip cold heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until fully blended with no streaks remaining.
04 - Spread a layer of crushed graham crackers or shortbread cookies evenly in the bottom of a 9x9 inch baking dish. Top with half of the cream mixture, followed by half of the macerated strawberries and their juices. Repeat with another layer of crushed cookies, remaining cream mixture, and remaining strawberries.
05 - Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours, or preferably overnight, until set.
06 - Just before serving, garnish with additional sliced fresh strawberries and mint leaves if desired. Serve chilled.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- This is my go-to when it’s too hot to bake but I still want to impress with something homemade.
- No one suspects just how easy it is: you’ll spend more time watching it chill than actually making it.
02 -
- I once sliced into it too soon and everything slid apart—chilling is truly non-negotiable here!
- Swapping in a sharper lemon zest between layers lifts the whole flavor—try it at least once.
03 -
- Layering with a gentle hand keeps things tidy and beautiful—run a spoon along the sides for clean edges.
- A tiny bit of extra lemon juice sprinkled over the finished top layer keeps the whole dish tasting bright for hours.