No Bake Strawberry Shortcake Dessert (Print Version)

Layers of buttery shortbread, vanilla cream, and macerated fresh strawberries create this effortless chilled dessert.

# What You Need:

→ Strawberries

01 - 1 lb fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
02 - 2 tbsp granulated sugar

→ Cream Layer

03 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
04 - 1/2 cup powdered sugar
05 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
06 - 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream, cold

→ Base & Assembly

07 - about 30 shortbread cookies or vanilla wafer cookies
08 - extra strawberries for garnish (optional)

# How-To:

01 - Toss sliced strawberries with granulated sugar in a bowl. Let stand for 10-15 minutes until they release their juices, creating a sweet syrup.
02 - Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in a large bowl until completely smooth and well combined.
03 - In a separate chilled bowl, whip cold heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Be careful not to over-whip.
04 - Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture using a spatula, incorporating until fully combined and no white streaks remain.
05 - Arrange half of the cookies in a single layer covering the bottom of a 9 x 9 inch square dish.
06 - Spread half of the cream mixture evenly over the cookie layer. Top with half of the macerated strawberries, including their juices.
07 - Add another layer of remaining cookies, followed by the remaining cream mixture, and finish with the rest of the strawberries and juices.
08 - Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight, to allow flavors to meld and cookies to soften to a cake-like texture.
09 - If desired, garnish with extra fresh strawberries before serving. Slice into squares and serve chilled.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • There is something magical about how those crisp cookies transform into cake like layers without any baking at all
  • The strawberries release their juices creating these gorgeous pink streaks throughout the cream
  • You can assemble it in the morning and forget about it until dessert time
02 -
  • I once tried rushing the chilling time and the cookies stayed stubbornly crunchy which ruined the texture completely
  • The cream mixture needs to be folded gently to keep all that air you whipped into it
03 -
  • Splash a little strawberry liqueur between the layers for a grownup version that still tastes innocent
  • Ladyfingers work beautifully if you want something lighter than shortbread

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