Description

Strawberry Cheesecake Lush is a no-bake layered dessert featuring a buttery graham cracker crust, creamy sweetened cream cheese and whipped cream mixture, and fresh strawberries layered throughout. Topped with a warm drizzle of strawberry jam, this easy and refreshing treat is perfect for gatherings and warms up any table with its rich flavor and bright berry notes.

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

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Instructions

Make the Crust: In a bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter. Stir until the mixture is well combined. Press the mixture firmly 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 and creamy. 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, taking care not to deflate the whipped cream to keep the mixture light and fluffy.
Layer the Dessert: Spread half of the cream cheese mixture evenly over the graham cracker crust. Top with half of the sliced strawberries, distributing them evenly.
Repeat the Layers: Spread the remaining cream cheese mixture over the strawberries, followed by the rest of the sliced strawberries. This creates two creamy layers separated by two layers of fresh strawberries.
Add the Jam: Heat the strawberry jam in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds until softened. Drizzle the warm jam evenly over the top of the dessert for a glossy, flavorful finish.
Chill: Cover the dish with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for at least 3 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the dessert to set properly.

Notes

For best results, use cream cheese softened to room temperature to ensure a smooth cheesecake layer.
Gently folding the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture helps maintain a light, airy texture.
You can substitute fresh strawberries with frozen thawed ones if fresh are unavailable, but fresh strawberries give the best texture.
If you prefer a sweeter dessert, increase the powdered sugar slightly in the cheesecake layer.
This dessert is best served chilled and can be made up to a day ahead of time.