Strawberry Delight Recipe
Overview
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 5 hours
Total Time: 5 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 15
Category: Dessert
Keywords: For Large Groups
Description
This Strawberry Delight is a classic dessert that originated from the April 2002 Better Homes & Gardens Hometown Cooking magazine. It is a crowd-pleaser and, though I haven’t personally tested it yet, the recipe promises a delectable combination of creamy layers and fruity sweetness. If you prefer, you can also substitute fresh peaches and peach-flavored gelatin for a delightful twist. 🍓🍑
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup butter, melted
- 3/4 cup chopped pecans
For the Cream Cheese Layer:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1 (8 oz) container Cool Whip, thawed
For the Strawberry Layer:
- 3 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
For the Top Layer:
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 (3 oz) package strawberry Jell-O gelatin dessert
- 1 cup water
- 1 (8 oz) container Cool Whip, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Crust:
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour and melted butter. Stir in the chopped pecans until well mixed.
- Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of a 13×9-inch baking dish.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown around the edges.
- Allow the crust to cool completely on a wire rack.
2. Make the Cream Cheese Layer:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together the powdered sugar and softened cream cheese using an electric mixer set to medium speed until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Add the thawed Cool Whip to the bowl and beat on low speed until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Spread this cream cheese mixture evenly over the cooled crust.
3. Assemble the Strawberry Layer:
- Arrange the sliced fresh strawberries evenly over the cream cheese layer.
- Cover the dish and chill it in the refrigerator while you prepare the top layer.
4. Prepare the Top Layer:
- In a medium saucepan, combine 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, and the dry strawberry Jell-O gelatin dessert.
- Stir in 1 cup of water and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture becomes thick and bubbly. Continue cooking and stirring for an additional minute.
- Remove from heat, cover the saucepan, and let it cool for about 30 minutes.
5. Complete the Dessert:
- Once the gelatin mixture has cooled, spoon it over the strawberries, spreading it evenly to cover all the berries.
- Cover the dish again and chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or up to 24 hours, to allow the layers to set properly.
6. Serve:
- Cut the dessert into squares to serve.
- Optionally, garnish with additional Cool Whip before serving.
Enjoy this delightful Strawberry Delight with family and friends, perfect for gatherings and special occasions! 🌟🍓🍰
