Description
No Bake Summer Berry Lasagna is a refreshing layered dessert perfect for warm weather. It features a graham cracker crust, a creamy strawberry cheesecake layer, a fruity blueberry jello salad, and a whipped cream topping adorned with fresh berries and a chocolate drizzle. This no-bake recipe requires chilling time to set layers, making it an easy yet impressive dessert for gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 3 cups graham cracker crumbs
- ¼ cup strawberry jam
- ½ cup + 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- Red gel food coloring (a few drops)
Whipped Cream
- 1 and 2/3 cups heavy cream, chilled
- About 1/3 cup powdered sugar (to taste)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cheesecake Layer
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2/3 cup diced fresh strawberries
- 1 cup whipped cream (from above)
Blueberry Jello Salad Layer
- 2 (3 oz) packages berry blue Jello (or preferred flavor)
- 1 and 1/4 cups boiling water
- 2 cups blueberry pie filling
- 1 cup canned crushed pineapple, drained
Topping
- Remaining whipped cream (about 1 and 2/3 cups minus 1 cup used in cheesecake layer)
- Fresh strawberries, halved
- Fresh blueberries
- ¼ cup white chocolate chips
Instructions
- Make the Crust: Combine graham cracker crumbs, strawberry jam, melted butter, and a few drops of red gel food coloring (add food coloring directly to melted butter or jam for better dissolution). Mix thoroughly until evenly moistened. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of a 13 x 9 x 2 inch dish. Place the crust in the freezer to firm up while preparing the other layers.
- Prepare Whipped Cream: In a chilled bowl, beat heavy cream until soft peaks form. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, then continue beating until stiff peaks form. Set aside 1 cup of this whipped cream for the cheesecake layer and cover the remaining whipped cream for topping, reserving it in the fridge.
- Make the Cheesecake Layer: Cream together softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and softened butter until smooth. Gently fold in the 1 cup of whipped cream reserved earlier, ensuring the mixture remains thick so it can support the jello layer. Fold in diced fresh strawberries. Spread this cheesecake layer evenly over the chilled crust and refrigerate to set.
- Prepare Blueberry Jello Salad Layer: In a large bowl, dissolve the berry blue Jello packages in 1 and 1/4 cups boiling water, stirring for several minutes until fully dissolved. Allow the gelatin mixture to cool for 15-20 minutes until it reaches room temperature or soft set—refrigerate briefly to speed this process, stirring occasionally. Once cooled, fold in crushed pineapple and blueberry pie filling carefully to maintain texture.
- Assemble Jello Layer: Spread the cooled blueberry jello salad mixture evenly over the chilled cheesecake layer. Avoid pouring warm jello directly on the cheesecake to prevent melting. Return the dish to the fridge and chill until the jello layer is completely set, about 1-2 hours.
- Add Toppings and Serve: Once the jello is set, spread the remaining whipped cream over the top layer. Arrange fresh halved strawberries and blueberries decoratively on top. Melt the white chocolate chips in a microwave or double boiler, transfer to a ziplock bag, cut a small corner, and drizzle the melted chocolate artistically over the berries and whipped cream. Keep the dessert refrigerated until serving.
- Storage: Store the No Bake Summer Berry Lasagna covered in the refrigerator. Consume within 2-3 days for best freshness.
Notes
- Use chilled heavy cream for best whipping results.
- Ensure the cheesecake layer remains thick to support the jello without mixing layers.
- Cool the jello mixture thoroughly before layering to prevent melting the cheesecake layer.
- You can substitute berry blue Jello with any other flavor to customize the dessert.
- Graham cracker crust can be pressed against the sides for a more traditional ‘lasagna’ presentation.
- Allow enough chilling time for the jello to fully set, which is essential for a firm structure.
- For a more uniform crust, use a cup or small glass to press the mixture evenly.
- Melted chocolate drizzle adds a nice decorative touch but can be omitted if desired.
