No-bake strawberry shortcake cheesecake bars are a wonderfully creamy and indulgent dessert. They’re incredibly easy to make, requiring no baking, and they deliver a refreshing taste that everyone loves. Perfect for summer gatherings or a sweet treat after dinner, these bars are sure to impress with their luscious layers and fruity flavor.
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No-Bake Strawberry Shortcake Cheesecake Bars Recipe Overview
This dessert combines a crunchy Oreo crust with a rich cheesecake filling and a fluffy topping. Each bite is a delightful mix of textures, from the crisp crust to the creamy filling and fresh strawberries. Best of all, you can prepare them ahead of time, making them ideal for busy weeknights or festive occasions.
Ingredients
Crust Ingredients
- 48 golden Oreos (about one package + one sleeve), divided
- 10 tablespoons melted butter, divided
Cheesecake Filling Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon powdered unflavored gelatin
- 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped
- 1 package strawberry gelatin powder, as needed
Topping Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon powdered unflavored gelatin
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 8 strawberries, halved
Instructions
Prepare the Crust
Start by greasing a 9 x 13″ baking dish. In a food processor, crush half of the Oreos until fine crumbs form. Mix with 5 tablespoons of melted butter until well combined. Press this mixture into the prepared dish and pop it in the freezer for 20 minutes to set.
Make the Cheesecake Filling
While the crust is setting, sprinkle 1 tablespoon of gelatin over ¼ cup of cold water in a small microwave-safe bowl and let it sit. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until fluffy. Gradually add the sweetened condensed milk, mixing until smooth. Stir in lemon juice and vanilla extract.
Heat the gelatin mixture in the microwave for about 10 seconds until it’s liquid, then mix it into the cheesecake filling. Divide this filling into two bowls. Puree the chopped strawberries in the food processor and blend into one bowl of the cheesecake filling.
Assemble the Cheesecake Bars
Pour the strawberry cheesecake mixture over the chilled Oreo crust, smoothing it out evenly. Freeze until slightly set. Next, add ½ cup of heavy cream to the second bowl of cheesecake mixture and mix well. Once the strawberry layer has set, pour the vanilla layer over it, smoothing it out again.
Crush the remaining Oreos and mix with the remaining melted butter. In a small bowl, combine some crumbs with the strawberry gelatin powder until light pink. Sprinkle both types of crumbs over the cheesecake layers for a beautiful finish.
Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or freeze for about 1.5 hours.
Prepare the Topping
To make the stabilized whipped cream, sprinkle 1 teaspoon of gelatin over 4 teaspoons of cold water. Let it sit for 5 minutes, then heat until liquid. Beat the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form, then gently mix in the gelatin.
Once your cheesecake has set, cut it into bars, pipe the whipped cream on top, and place a halved strawberry on each bar. Refrigerate until you’re ready to serve.
Serving Suggestions
These no-bake strawberry shortcake cheesecake bars can be served slightly chilled or completely frozen. They are perfect for summer barbecues, potlucks, or a delightful everyday dessert. Pair them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of chocolate sauce for an extra treat!
FAQs
Can I make these bars without a refrigerator?
No, these bars need to be refrigerated to set properly. Without refrigeration, they will not maintain their structure and will be too soft to enjoy.
What can I substitute for the cream cheese?
You can use mascarpone cheese or a vegan cream cheese alternative if you prefer. This will create a similar creamy texture.
How long do the bars need to set before serving?
The bars should be refrigerated for at least 4 hours or frozen for 1.5 hours before serving to ensure they hold their shape.
Can I add fresh fruit?
Absolutely! Fresh fruit such as raspberries or blueberries would add a delightful touch and flavor variation to the cheesecake bars.
Related Recipes to try
Conclusion
Give these no-bake strawberry shortcake cheesecake bars a try, and you’ll see just how delightful they can be. They’re perfect for any summer event or family gathering, and you can easily customize them with different fruits or flavors. For more delicious ideas, check out our Pinterest page for inspiration!
No-Bake Strawberry Shortcake Cheesecake Bars
Equipment
- baking dish
- food processor
- Microwave
- mixing bowl
- whisk
Ingredients
- 48 pieces golden oreos about one package + one sleeve
- 10 tablespoons melted butter divided
- 1 tablespoon powdered unflavored gelatin
- 2 8 ounce packages cream cheese at room temperature
- 1 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 pound fresh strawberries hulled and chopped
- 1 package strawberry gelatin powder as needed
- 1 teaspoon powdered unflavored gelatin for topping
- 1 cup heavy cream for topping
- ¼ cup powdered sugar for topping
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract for topping
- 8 pieces strawberries halved for topping
Instructions
- Grease a 9 x 13″ baking dish.
- Crush half of the Oreos and mix with 5 tablespoons of melted butter; press into the dish and freeze for 20 minutes.
- Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of gelatin over ¼ cup of cold water and set aside.
- Beat cream cheese until fluffy, then mix in condensed milk, lemon juice, and vanilla.
- Heat the gelatin mixture until liquid and mix into the cheesecake filling.
- Puree strawberries and mix into half of the cheesecake filling.
- Pour the strawberry mixture over the crust and freeze until slightly set.
- Mix the remaining filling with ½ cup heavy cream, then pour over the strawberry layer.
- Crush remaining Oreos and mix with melted butter; sprinkle over the cheesecake.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or freeze for 1.5 hours.
- Make whipped cream by mixing gelatin with cold water, then beat with heavy cream and sugar.
- Cut into bars, pipe whipped cream on top, and add a halved strawberry.