Description

Strawberry Cheesecake Dream Bars are a no-bake, layered dessert featuring a buttery graham cracker crust topped with fresh strawberries, a creamy strawberry-infused cream cheese layer, smooth white chocolate pudding, and fluffy whipped topping. Perfectly garnished with extra strawberries and graham cracker crumbs, these bars deliver a refreshing and indulgent treat that sets in the refrigerator for a few hours.

Ingredients

Scale

Crust

1 1/3 cups graham cracker crumbs (plus additional for topping)
5 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)

Fruit and Cream Cheese Layer

16 ounces fresh strawberries (divided: 4 mashed for cream cheese mixture, 5 whole for decoration, remaining sliced)
4 ounces cream cheese (room temperature)
1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
8 ounces Cool Whip or Stabilized Whipped Cream (divided; 1 cup for cream cheese mixture, remaining for topping)

Pudding Layer

1 1/2 cups milk
3.4 ounces package white chocolate pudding mix (instant, dry)

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Instructions

Set Aside and Prepare Strawberries: Reserve 5 whole strawberries for decoration. Mash 4 strawberries for the cream cheese mixture and slice the remaining strawberries for layering.
Prepare Baking Dish: Spray an 8 x 8-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Make Crust: In a medium bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs with melted butter until fully combined. Press this mixture evenly into the prepared dish.
Chill Crust: Place the crust in the freezer for at least 30 minutes to firm up and set.
Make Pudding: In a small bowl, whisk the white chocolate pudding mix with 1 1/2 cups of milk (adjusted for a firmer texture). Refrigerate until ready to use.
Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: Beat cream cheese, mashed strawberries, and confectioners’ sugar together until smooth. Fold in 1 cup of the whipped topping gently until fully incorporated.
Layer Strawberries: Remove crust from freezer and arrange a single layer of sliced strawberries evenly on top.
Add Cream Cheese Layer: Dollop the cream cheese mixture over the strawberries and use an offset spatula to spread it evenly to cover the fruit.
Spread Pudding Layer: Evenly spread the prepared white chocolate pudding on top of the cream cheese layer.
Add Whipped Topping: Spread the remaining Cool Whip or stabilized whipped cream gently over the pudding layer.
Garnish: Top with the reserved whole and sliced strawberries, and sprinkle extra graham cracker crumbs over everything for a crunchy finish.
Chill and Set: Refrigerate the assembled bars for at least two hours to allow all layers to set firmly before serving.

Notes

Adjust milk quantity for pudding powder to 1 1/2 cups instead of 2 cups to achieve a firmer pudding layer that’s ideal for layering in this dessert.
Use stabilized whipped cream or Cool Whip to ensure the dessert holds its shape and doesn’t weep.
For best results, chill the crust thoroughly before adding the next layers.
These bars keep well when refrigerated for up to 3 days, but are best enjoyed fresh for optimal texture.