Strawberry Delight Recipe (Easy Layered Dessert with Fresh Strawberries)

This Strawberry Delight recipe is an easy layered dessert with a buttery pecan crust, a creamy cheesecake layer, and a fresh strawberry topping. It’s cool, light, and perfect for strawberry season, with simple ingredients and a make-ahead option that makes it ideal for potlucks, holidays, and everyday treats.

Strawberry Delight

This No Bake Strawberry Delight recipe is the kind of old-fashioned, no-fuss dessert that always disappears fast. 

With a buttery pecan crust, a light and fluffy cream cheese layer, and layer of fresh strawberries, it’s the perfect dessert for spring and summer, especially when sweet strawberries are in season.

If you’ve ever had a version of strawberry lush, strawberry pretzel delight, strawberry pretzel salad, or any creamy dessert salad, this is right in that same family but made with simple ingredients and a fresh strawberry flavor that tastes like strawberry pie filling – but better!

You can use homemade whipped cream or swap in Cool Whip if you need a shortcut. Either way, it’s a refreshing dessert that’s perfect for holidays, church potlucks, or anytime you want something easy and impressive.

Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Delight Dessert

• Light and full of fresh strawberry flavor and a creamy topping.
• Easy layered dessert with simple ingredients. No complicated steps or special equipment required. 
• Perfect make-ahead dessert for gatherings and special occasions. 
• It’s a no-bake dessert recipe that is perfect for spring and the warm summer months and it always satisfies your sweet tooth

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Ingredients

You can easily find all of these ingredients in your pantry or your local grocery store.

Crust

• All purpose flour
• Melted butter
• Chopped pecans

Cream Cheese Layer

• Heavy whipping cream
• Powdered sugar
• Softened cream cheese

Strawberry Layer

• Strawberries, mashed or pureed
• Cornstarch
• Granulated sugar
• Water
• Sliced strawberries

Whipped Topping

• Heavy whipping cream
• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract optional

Find the complete recipe with ingredient measurements in the recipe card below.

How to Make Strawberry Delight

For the Crust

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2.  In a medium bowl, combine flour, melted butter, and pecans until a crumbly crust mixture forms. 
3. Press evenly into a greased or parchment-lined 9×9-inch pan. 
4. Bake for 10 minutes until set and no longer wet-looking. Let the crust cool completely.

For the Filling

1. While the crust is baking, combine the cornstarch and sugar together and stir into the strawberry puree/mash.
2. Heat over medium heat, stirring until thick and translucent. 
3. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.

4. Whip ¾ cup cream until stiff peaks form.
5. In a separate bowl, beat half cup of powdered sugar and cream cheese together until smooth.
6. Fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture with a rubber spatula.

Layering the Dessert

1. Spread the cream cheese filling over the top of the crust in an even layer.
2. Spread cooled strawberry filling over cream cheese layer.
3. Arrange sliced strawberries over filling.
4. Refrigerate.

For Whipped Topping

1. Beat heavy cream, powdered sugar, and if using, vanilla together until stiff peaks form.
2. Remove dessert from the refrigerator and spread whipped cream over the top of the strawberries for the last layer.
3. Place back in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours for best results, to let the cream cheese layer chill so it will slice nicely.

Pro Tips for the Best Strawberry Delight

• I like to line the pan with parchment paper so that I can lift the delight out of the pan easily. It doesn’t stick to a non-lined pan, but it can be hard to get your spatula down in there for those first few slices, you know? So if you can lift the whole thing out, you can serve it in pretty perfect squares. 
• Be sure you start layering with a cooled crust, or the filling will melt.
• Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature for a smooth filling. 
• Use a stand mixer or electric mixer for the best results when whipping cream. 
• Do not skip chilling time because this helps the layers set so you can get clean slices. 
• Line your pan with parchment paper so you can lift the dessert out easily and serve neat squares. 
• If you are short on time, substitute Cool Whip for homemade whipped cream.

Variations and Substitutions

• Swap the pecan crust for a graham cracker base using graham crackers or graham cracker crumbs for a classic twist. Nilla wafers also make a great crust option for a sweeter base.
• Add a little lemon juice to the strawberry layer to brighten the flavor. Use strawberry gelatin or strawberry Jell-O for a more retro version.
• Try this with other fruits like blueberries or peaches for a fun variation.

Storage Instructions

Store leftovers covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Best enjoyed within 2 to 3 days for the freshest texture and flavor.

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