Description
Strawberry Cheesecake Lush is a no-bake, layered dessert featuring a buttery graham cracker crust, a creamy whipped cheesecake layer, and fresh strawberries topped with a sweet strawberry jam glaze. Perfectly chilled for a luscious, fruity finish, this dessert is a crowd-pleaser for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Crust:
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
For the Cheesecake Layer:
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup heavy cream
For the Topping:
- 3 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
- 1/4 cup strawberry jam
Instructions
- Make the Crust: In a bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter. Stir until well mixed. Press the mixture into the bottom of a 9×13-inch dish to form an even crust layer.
- Prepare the Cheesecake Layer: In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined and smooth.
- Whip the Cream: In another bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture, being careful not to deflate the whipped cream.
- Layer the Dessert: Spread half of the cream cheese mixture over the graham cracker crust. Top with half of the sliced strawberries.
- Repeat the Layers: Spread the remaining cream cheese mixture over the strawberries, followed by the rest of the sliced strawberries. You’ll have two creamy layers and two layers of fresh strawberries.
- Add the Jam: Heat the strawberry jam in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds to soften it. Drizzle the warm jam over the top for a beautiful finish.
- Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours to allow the flavors to meld together and the dessert to set properly before serving.
Notes
- For best results, use room temperature cream cheese for a smooth cheesecake layer.
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture to retain a light, airy texture.
- Fresh strawberries can be substituted with frozen thawed berries in a pinch, but fresh is preferred.
- This dessert is best served chilled and can be made up to a day in advance.
- Use a rimmed dish to prevent any spills during chilling.
- To make it simpler, you can replace strawberry jam with any berry preserves of choice.
