Fresh strawberries, cream cheese, and a shortbread crust make this Strawberry Delight a summer dessert one to remember!
The minute I see the first cases of Florida strawberries arrive in the grocery store, my mind immediately switches into spring mode – imagining all I can do with those sweet little babies.
I just love strawberries… from my Strawberry Cobbler, and Strawberry Bread, to Fresh Strawberry Pie. So, based on the success of my layered desserts, like Oreo Delight and Lemon Icebox Delight, here’s a Strawberry version that I just know you’ll love!
The crunchy shortbread crust, combined with the creamy cream cheese layer, and the sweet, delicious strawberries makes this one a real winner! It’s one of those things, too, that seems to get better over time. Y’all enjoy!
Can whipped cream be used in place of Cool Whip in Strawberry Delight?
While I much prefer Cool Whip or another brand of frozen whipped topping because of it’s stability in recipes. You can certainly use whipped cream, however. You just need to make sure it is a stabilized whipped cream. What I mean by this is, you want a whipped cream that will hold its shape. You can find a few different ways to make stabilized whipped cream here. When in doubt though, just opt for the frozen whipped topping. Most stores now offer a few different versions.
Other Strawberry Dessert Ideas
If you are anything like me, you love all the strawberry desserts. I have so many on my blog, but here are a few that I think you will love. Try them out and let me know what you think in the comments section below!
- Fresh Strawberry Pie – This Fresh Strawberry Pie features only 5 simple ingredients – fresh strawberries, lemon-lime soda, cornstarch, strawberry jello, and a prepared regular or graham cracker crust. But don’t let that short list fool ya, this dessert is packed with sweet strawberry flavor. And, there’s a low-sugar option too! Simply chill until set and serve!
- Strawberry Pretzel Salad – This Strawberry Pretzel Salad features a baked crunchy, sweet, and buttery crushed pretzel base, covered in a sugary cream cheese and whipped topping mixture, and topped with strawberry gelatin for the top strawberry layer. The combination of flavors and textures is like a party in your mouth! Enjoy
- Strawberry Yum Yum – If you appreciate a layered dessert like this Strawberry Delight, then you will absolutely love Strawberry Yum Yum. This is a sweet and creamy dessert featuring the ease of strawberry pie filling along with crushed Lorna Doone cookies, and so much more! Can’t find those cookies, you could also use crushed graham cracker crumbs. It’s versatile and delicious!
- Strawberry Cobbler – This Strawberry Cobbler is probably my favorite cobbler recipe. It’s sweet, tart, and full of lots of the cakey-cobbler that’s my favorite part of any great cobbler. And, I’ll admit that it’s pretty sweet. That’s why it’s good to cut the sweet with a little vanilla ice cream. Or better yet, serve it warm with a little heavy cream poured over it! So good!
Recipe Card
Strawberry Delight
Ingredients
- 1 (16-ounce) container fresh strawberries
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 (8-ounce) containers frozen whipped topping, thawed (I use Cool Whip)
Instructions
- Wash, hull, and slice the strawberries. Place them in a small bowl and add the sugar and lemon juice. Mix well and set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 350° and lightly spray a 9X13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a medium bowl, combine the flour and brown sugar. Cut the butter into the flour and sugar mixture using a pastry blender or two forks until the butter resembles small peas. Pour the flour mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, spread evenly, and press flat to form the crust. Bake the crust for 10 to 12 minutes or until firm. Allow to cool completely.
- In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and 1 container of the whipped topping. Stir well to combine. Spread the mixture evenly over the cooled crust.
- Next, drain the strawberries. (Be sure to save that delicious syrup for something – even if it’s just to drink it all by itself. It’s my favorite part of this recipe. 🙂 ) Layer the drained berries evenly on top of the cream cheese mixture.
- Top with the remaining container of whipped topping. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
Nutrition
* If nutritional values are provided, they are an estimate and will vary depending on the brands used. The values do not include optional ingredients or when ingredients are added to taste. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, I recommend grabbing your favorite brands and plugging those ingredients into an online nutritional calculator.
Linda
Crust is very hard and sticks badly to bottom of pan making it hard to remove. Would a graham cracker crust stick less? Brown sugar and flour is just too hard to remove from pan.
Any suggestions?
What kind of pan are you using to bake it?
Darlene
Has anyone used whipped cream instead of cool whip
You certainly can use whipped cream, but it would have to be a stabilized whipped cream. This should be an easy recipe to find online.
Melrose
Sorry
I posted my comments on the wrong recipe 🤔
No worries, just glad you enjoyed it! I think you could certainly make the crust out of the graham crackers but it will certainly be a different dish.
Melrose
I made this once, and I’m not a baker, but it came out good!!! My friends want me to make it again!!!
Question: Can I use honey graham cookies for the crust instead of pretzels??
Bobbi
can i use blackberries instead of strawberries?
I don’t see why not! Enjoy!
Mike Z
Mine also looks like regular sweet bread. I put some of the mix into a muffin pan and left those in too long. That’s my own fault. They’re crunchy but still taste nice and sweet, but no strawberry flavor. The loaf turned out better and has some hint of strawberry. Thank you for the recipe.
Should the strawberries be drained? I poured LL the liquid into the mix hoping for extra flavor.
Are you referring to the Strawberry Bread recipe, Mike?
Drew Davis
Awesome
Pat Havens
O>K> I just bought strawberries and I have everything this recipe calls for making this today looks absolutely scrumptious! Thank you so much for the recipes .
Hope it turned out great for you!!
Winnie Mom
Will have to try your version. I make a chocolate delight which is very similar. The crust portion is
1 cup finely chopped nuts, 1 stick melted butter, 1 cup self rising flour. 2nd layer is same as yours and 3rd layer: mix 2 small packages instant chocolate pudding (I use chocolate fudge) with 3 cups milk. Blend well and put on top of cream cheese layer. 4th layer is same as yours. Then I put semi-sweet chocolate shavings or chocolate curls on top of the cool whip. I think you can be innovative with that 3rd layer and use just about anything you have a taste for making it your own!!
Thanks for the recipe.
Sounds delish!!
dus
The next time I see someone selling Ponchatoula strawberries on the side the road, I’m buying some and making this. I may add some of that leftover syrup to the whipped topping for a little extra strawberry flavor.
YES! Do it! Delicious!
Kathy
I have made this twice and think I’m doing something wrong … both times the crust has been extremely hard and very difficult to cut through, not to mention it sticking to the dish so badly, you can’t remove it in one piece. I greased the bottom of the pan as the directions said … any ideas or ever had this problem??
I’d check the temperature of your oven. If the temperature is too hot, it was cause the sugar to get too hard resulting in that tough, brittle crust.
Karen Richards
Do You Use Softened Butter Or Butter You Need To Cut In Cubes For making The Crust? The Recipe You Gave Did Not say Which To Use. I’m Thinking Softened As Cold Butter Wasn’t Mentioned.. Thanks
It’s not crucial for this recipe. I find cold butter is easier to cut in, but it doesn’t really matter.
The Better Baker
Scrumptious Strawberry Dessert! Must make soon. Thanks for sharing….I am drooling.
I hope you’ll enjoy it!
Joanne
I love strawberries, and this dessert looks so refreshing!
Thanks, Joanne. It’s so good. We’ve really enjoyed it.
Kari
Looks delicious! I am seriously missing spring/summer fruit! It’s almost here!
Kari
http://www.sweetteasweetie.com
It’s certainly on it’s way. Thanks, Kari!
Oh Happy Dane
Uhm… Looks so tempting!! Need that NOW!!! Hugs form http://www.ohhappydane.com
Thanks!