Description
Layers of luscious strawberry cream cheese icebox cake promise a chilled dessert paradise, melding sweet berries with silky cream. Cool slices deliver pure summer comfort, inviting you to savor each delightful, creamy bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 pounds (907 grams) fresh strawberries, washed and sliced
- 2 sleeves graham crackers
- 1 8-ounce (226 grams) package cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1 14-ounce (397 grams) can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 3.4-ounce (96 grams) packages instant cheesecake flavored pudding
Supporting Ingredients:
- 3 cups (710 milliliters) milk
- 1 12-ounce (340 grams) carton whipped topping, divided
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, whip room temperature cream cheese until silky and lump-free using an electric mixer on medium speed.
- Gradually incorporate sweetened condensed milk into the cream cheese, blending until smooth and uniform in texture.
- In a separate bowl, combine cheesecake pudding mix and milk, whisking vigorously until the mixture thickens and develops a creamy consistency.
- Gently fold half of the whipped topping into the pudding mixture, creating a light and airy texture.
- Select a 9×13 inch baking dish and create the first layer by arranging graham crackers across the bottom, ensuring complete coverage.
- Carefully spread half of the cream cheese mixture over the graham cracker base, followed by an even distribution of the pudding mixture.
- Generously distribute fresh strawberry slices across the pudding layer, covering the entire surface.
- Construct a second layer by placing graham crackers directly on top of the strawberries, creating a stable foundation.
- Pour the remaining cream cheese mixture over the crackers, then evenly spread the remaining pudding mixture.
- Add another abundant layer of sliced strawberries across the surface.
- Crown the dessert with the remaining whipped topping, smoothing it to create an elegant finish.
- Refrigerate for 4-6 hours or preferably overnight to allow flavors to meld and graham crackers to soften.
- Before serving, slice into squares and garnish with additional strawberry slices or crushed graham crackers if desired.
Notes
- Swap graham crackers with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour crackers for a celiac-friendly version.
- Reduce sugar content by using sugar-free pudding mix and low-fat cream cheese for a lighter dessert option.
- Prevent strawberry browning by tossing sliced berries with a splash of lemon juice before layering.
- Enhance flavor complexity by adding a thin layer of fresh mint leaves between strawberry layers for a surprising herbal note.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Chilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 308 kcal
- Sugar: 33 g
- Sodium: 182 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 28 mg