Oh, you know what’s better than a complicated dessert? The ones that look super fancy but are secretly a breeze to whip up! Trust me, when I first stumbled upon this Strawberry Lasagna Dessert recipe, I was hooked. It looked so impressive with all those pretty layers, but the best part? No oven required! It’s become my absolute go-to for everything from backyard BBQs to last-minute potlucks. Seriously, the combination of sweet strawberries, that heavenly cream cheese filling, and the buttery cookie crust just sings. I remember making it for my friend Sarah’s birthday, and people kept asking if I’d spent hours in the kitchen. Little did they know!

Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Lasagna Dessert

It’s unbelievably easy to make – seriously, no baking involved!

It looks *so* gorgeous with those vibrant layers, perfect for impressing guests.

Tastes amazing with sweet strawberries, creamy filling, and a buttery cookie base.

It’s a total crowd-pleaser that everyone, young and old, devours.

Ingredients for Your Strawberry Lasagna Dessert

You’re going to need just a handful of things for this amazing dessert, and trust me, they all come together like magic! Here’s what to grab:

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, make sure it’s softened – this is key for a smooth filling!
1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup whipped topping (like Cool Whip) – thawed if it was frozen
1 (16 ounce) container frozen strawberries, thawed and drained really well. We don’t want watery layers here!
1 (9 ounce) package shortbread or vanilla wafers, all crushed up into fine crumbs
1/4 cup butter, melted

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Strawberry Lasagna Dessert

Alright, let’s get this party started! Making this Strawberry Lasagna Dessert is honestly kind of fun, like building a little edible masterpiece. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect on the first try; that’s what makes it yours! We’ll break it down layer by layer, and before you know it, you’ll have a showstopper.

Preparing the Cookie Crust for Your Strawberry Lasagna Dessert

First things first, let’s get that awesome crust ready. Take your crushed cookies – shortbread or vanilla wafers work beautifully – and toss them in a bowl with that melted butter. Mix it all up until it looks like wet sand. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of your 9×13 inch baking dish. If you like a really sturdy crust, you can pop it in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes. Otherwise, just press it in and get ready for the next layer!

Crafting the Creamy Layers for Strawberry Lasagna Dessert

Now for the dreamy part! Grab a medium bowl and beat that softened cream cheese with the powdered sugar until it’s super smooth and totally lump-free. Trust me, no one likes a lumpy cream cheese layer. Then, gently fold in your whipped topping. You just want to combine it until it’s all one glorious, fluffy, creamy mixture. It should look light and airy, ready to spread. For an extra boost of flavor, you could even use a homemade strawberry whipped cream if you’re feeling adventurous!

Assembling Your Strawberry Lasagna Dessert

This is where it all comes together! Carefully spread that lovely cream cheese mixture evenly over your cookie crust. Try to get it as smooth as you can. Next, take those drained, mashed strawberries – they add such a burst of flavor and that gorgeous pink color – and spread them right on top of the cream cheese layer. You can even swirl them in a little if you’re feeling fancy, or top them with a dollop of delicious strawberry cream cheese frosting if you’re extra indulgent!

Chilling Your Strawberry Lasagna Dessert to Perfection

The hardest part? Waiting! Pop your assembled dessert into the fridge and let it chill for at least 4 hours. This is super important so all those layers can set up nicely. Honestly, it tastes even better if you can let it chill overnight and let those flavors meld together even more. You’ve earned it after all that layering!

Tips for the Best Strawberry Lasagna Dessert

Okay, so you’ve got the main steps down for this amazing Strawberry Lasagna Dessert, but let me give you a few little secrets I’ve picked up along the way to make it *truly* spectacular. First off, ingredient quality really does matter here. Make sure your cream cheese is nicely softened – nobody wants to wrestle with stiff cheese! For the cookie crust, while shortbread and vanilla wafers are classics, crushed graham crackers or even some gingersnaps can add a whole new twist. Don’t be afraid to experiment! And those strawberries? Draining them thoroughly is crucial. If they’re too juicy, your layers can get a bit sad and watery. You want that vibrant, fresh strawberry flavor without all the extra liquid. If you love fresh strawberry flavor, you might also want to check out this amazing strawberry pie recipe for another treat!

Also, don’t skimp on the chilling time! I know it’s tempting to dig in right away, but letting it set up properly makes all the difference in texture. It really allows those flavors to meld together beautifully. If you ever have extra cream cheese frosting lying around from making strawberry cookies, a little swirl on top can be divine!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

Let’s chat about the ingredients for our amazing Strawberry Lasagna Dessert! Don’t worry if you don’t have something exact – easy swaps are totally doable. For the crust, if you aren’t a fan of shortbread or vanilla wafers, crushed graham crackers are a fantastic substitute. They give a lovely, slightly honeyed flavor that pairs so well. Even some crushed pretzels can give a salty-sweet kick if you’re feeling adventurous!

And for the whipped topping? If you don’t have the store-bought stuff, you can totally make your own stabilized whipped cream. Just whip some heavy cream until it gets soft peaks, then gradually add a bit of powdered sugar and maybe a tiny bit of cornstarch or a packet of unflavored gelatin to help it hold its shape. It’s a little extra effort, but oh-so-worth-it sometimes!

Serving and Storing Your Strawberry Lasagna Dessert

Once your Strawberry Lasagna Dessert has had its well-deserved chill time, it’s ready to dazzle! I absolutely love garnishing it with a few fresh strawberry slices or even a dollop of extra whipped cream right before serving – instant elegance! If, by some miracle, you have leftovers (which I highly doubt!), just cover it tightly with plastic wrap and pop it back in the refrigerator. It stays wonderfully fresh for about 2-3 days. Honestly though, a dessert this good usually disappears in a flash!

Frequently Asked Questions about Strawberry Lasagna Dessert

Got questions about this fantastic no-bake strawberry dessert? You’ve come to the right place! Here are some things people often ask, and my best advice:

Can I use fresh strawberries instead of frozen?

Absolutely! If you have lovely fresh strawberries, you can totally use them. Just make sure you chop them up and mash them really well, then drain off any excess juice just like you would with the frozen ones. Fresh berries give an amazing flavor!

Can this Strawberry Lasagna Dessert be made ahead of time?

Yes, and I highly recommend it! Making this Strawberry Lasagna Dessert ahead of time is actually the best way to let all those flavors meld together perfectly. You can easily make it the day before you plan to serve it. It needs at least 4 hours to set, so making it entirely ahead just makes life easier!

What if I don’t have whipped topping?

No whipped topping? No problem! You can make your own stabilized whipped cream. Just whip about 1.5 cups of cold heavy whipping cream until it forms soft peaks, then gradually beat in about 1/4 cup of powdered sugar and a teaspoon of vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. Be careful not to over-whip, or you’ll get butter!

Can I use a different kind of cookie for the crust?

You bet! While shortbread and vanilla wafers are classic, feel free to get creative. Crushed graham crackers make a delicious crust, and even crushed pretzels can add a fun salty-sweet twist. If you’re feeling really adventurous, try gingersnaps for a little spice. For more no-bake ideas, check out this awesome no-bake Oreo dessert!

Estimated Nutritional Information

Now, about what goes into your amazing Strawberry Lasagna Dessert! Just a heads-up, these numbers are estimates and can change a bit depending on the exact brands and ingredients you use. For a serving of this delightful dessert, you’re generally looking at around 350 calories. It’s got about 20g of fat, with 12g being saturated, a modest 4g of protein, and roughly 40g of carbohydrates. Plus, about 30g of that is sugar, because, well, it’s dessert!

Strawberry Lasagna Dessert

Author: memorecipes.com
Total Time: 4 hr 20 min
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A layered dessert featuring strawberries, cream cheese, and a cookie crust.

Ingredients

Scale

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup whipped topping
1 (16 ounce) container frozen strawberries, thawed and drained
1 (9 ounce) package shortbread or vanilla wafers, crushed
1/4 cup butter, melted

Instructions

In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth.
Fold in whipped topping.
In a separate bowl, mash drained strawberries.
In another bowl, combine crushed cookies and melted butter. Press into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Spread cream cheese mixture over the cookie crust.
Top with mashed strawberries.
Chill for at least 4 hours before serving.

Notes

For a firmer crust, bake the cookie mixture for 10 minutes at 350°F (175°C) before cooling and adding layers.
Garnish with fresh strawberries before serving.

Prep Time: 20 min
Cook Time: 0 min
Category: Dessert
Method: No Bake
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 350
Sugar: 30g
Sodium: 150mg
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 40g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 4g
Cholesterol: 40mg

Keywords: Strawberry Lasagna, Dessert Lasagna, No Bake Dessert, Strawberry Cream Cheese Dessert, Cookie Crust Dessert