Strawberry Delight

Layers of luscious goodness are what you can expect when you slice into this refreshingly delicious Strawberry Delight!

Get your taste buds ready for what will probably become one of your family’s favorite desserts, not to mention a dish your friends will request you to bring to gatherings. And, because this strawberry delight does not require any baking, you will likely say an emphatic “YES” every time they ask. Not only is it easy to prepare, but the sweet, creamy taste you get in every delicious bite makes this dish irresistible.

I love any dessert that does not require time in the oven or on the stove. The older I get, the simpler I like life to be. That was also the case when my kids were young. Playing with them was far more fun than spending hours in the kitchen. That’s why I encourage you to try not only this recipe, but also the various versions I share below. Trust me when I tell you that no one will ever say, “Oh, that again!” It will more likely be, “YAY! That Again!”

This recipe is also easy to adapt for those who are gluten-free or dairy-free. You can use gluten-free graham cracker crumbs or any crushed GF cookie crumbs you like. And, if you want to make this recipe even easier, buy a pre-made regular or gluten-free graham cracker pie crust at the grocery store. That’s what I do, and I love the chocolate version. Not only will it save you the time of preparing the crust, but you can also eliminate the 15 minutes of chilling before topping. For a dairy-free option, choose plant-based alternatives to butter, cream cheese, and whipped topping.

This recipe yields six layers of utter culinary bliss (seven if you top it with additional strawberries for decoration). Everyone will think you toiled for hours in the kitchen. It will be our little secret that it took only 15 minutes of preparation. *Note: Don’t forget to take the cream cheese out of the refrigerator at least 30 minutes ahead of time to give it a chance to reach room temperature.

Switch the fruit—switch the flavor!

Don’t let your creativity stop with this recipe for strawberry delight. If, like me, you’re wondering about switching up the flavors, I’m here to tell you to go for it! I made this recently with a combination of sliced peaches and nectarines, and used peach gelatin instead of strawberry. It was such a delicious and refreshing way to highlight peaches and nectarines when they were at the height of the season. Don’t worry if peaches are out of season. You can easily substitute canned, drained peaches.

Here are some other delightful versions of this dish:

Berry Delight: Go one step further beyond strawberries by incorporating a variety of berries into this dessert. Blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries also work, and you can use them alone or combined with other berry flavors of Jell-O.

Pineapple Delight: Use thinly sliced fresh or well-drained canned pineapple (crushed works great) along with pineapple gelatin. I like to add chopped maraschino cherries for a refreshing burst of flavor and color.

Tropical Delight: I love to make a tropical version during the summer, when dreams of ocean breezes help to cool things down. Kiwi, mango, papaya, and pineapple layers combine with pineapple gelatin for a fantastic taste treat. You can also add or sprinkle on some shredded coconut or crushed macadamia nuts for added taste and texture.

Orange-Cranberry Delight: Perfect for the holidays, the bright flavors of oranges and cranberries combine by using dried cranberries and mandarin orange segments along with orange gelatin.

How do I store leftovers?

Cover leftover strawberry delight tightly with plastic wrap or a tight-fitting lid. Alternatively, you can transfer leftovers to an airtight container. Refrigerate leftovers for up to 4 days. The longer it sits, the softer the crust will become due to the natural juices of the fruit. But it will still taste great. If freezing, place leftovers in a freezer-safe dish and cover with a layer of plastic wrap directly on the dessert to prevent freezer burn before closing the container. Freeze it for up to 3 months and defrost the dessert in the refrigerator. The textures will likely change, but it will still taste great.

Serving suggestions

Strawberry delight is an ideal way to end a delicious barbecue featuring Sauerkraut Salad, Beans And Franks, Grilled Squash, and Huli Huli Chicken. And, for those nights when you want everything to be quick and easy, it’s perfect with Bruschetta Pasta, Air-Fryer Chicken Patties, or Smash Burger Tacos.