Strawberry Banana Cream Delight

If you’re looking for a refreshing, sweet, and creamy dessert to wow your friends and family, Strawberry Banana Cream Delight is the answer. This no-bake, layered dessert combines the perfect balance of flavors, with a buttery graham cracker crust, a rich and fluffy cream cheese filling, and a topping of fresh, juicy strawberries and bananas. Topped off with a sweet strawberry preserves drizzle, this dessert is as beautiful as it is delicious.

Whether you’re hosting a summer barbecue, looking for a lighter dessert to round off a meal, or just craving something fruity and indulgent, this dessert is sure to impress. The layers come together to create a combination of textures that are light yet satisfying—crunchy, creamy, and sweet all in one bite. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to prepare, making it perfect for anyone who wants to whip up something special without spending hours in the kitchen.

Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Banana Cream Delight

Strawberry Banana Cream Delight is the ultimate crowd-pleaser, thanks to its perfect balance of fresh fruit, rich creaminess, and buttery graham cracker crust. The best part? It requires no baking, making it a perfect treat to prepare ahead of time for parties, picnics, or family gatherings. The creamy filling is made with a blend of smooth cream cheese and whipped cream, making it light and airy yet indulgent.

The combination of strawberries and bananas gives this dessert a refreshing sweetness, while the strawberry preserves on top add an extra layer of fruity goodness. Whether you’re a fan of no-bake desserts or simply love strawberries and bananas, this recipe is guaranteed to become a new favorite.

Ingredients

For the Crust:

• Graham cracker crumbs
• Melted butter
• Granulated sugar

For the Filling:

• Cream cheese (softened)
• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Heavy whipping cream (whipped to stiff peaks)

For the Toppings:

• Fresh strawberries (sliced)
• Ripe bananas (sliced)
• Strawberry preserves (warmed slightly)

Variations

• Swap the Fruit: While strawberries and bananas are a classic pairing, feel free to use other fruits like blueberries, raspberries, or peaches for a different twist.
• Chocolate Drizzle: For chocolate lovers, drizzle melted chocolate or chocolate syrup over the fruit topping for an indulgent touch.
• Nutty Crust: Add chopped nuts like almonds, pecans, or walnuts to the graham cracker crust for extra crunch.
• Sugar-Free Option: Use sugar-free strawberry preserves and a low-sugar graham cracker crust for a lighter version of this dessert.

How to Make the Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Crust

In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and granulated sugar. Stir until everything is evenly coated. Press the mixture into the bottom of a 9×9-inch baking dish or pie dish, forming an even, compact layer. Refrigerate while preparing the filling to help the crust set.

Step 2: Make the Filling

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with the powdered sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream to stiff peaks. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture, being careful not to deflate the whipped cream. Mix until smooth and well combined.

Step 3: Assemble the Layers

Spread the cream cheese mixture over the chilled graham cracker crust, smoothing it into an even layer with a spatula. Top with the sliced strawberries and bananas, arranging them in a visually appealing pattern.

Step 4: Add the Strawberry Preserves

Warm the strawberry preserves slightly in the microwave for about 15 seconds until it’s easier to drizzle. Spoon the warmed preserves over the fruit layer, allowing it to drizzle naturally across the top.

Step 5: Chill

Place the dessert in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the filling to set. For best results, chill it overnight to achieve a firmer consistency.

Step 6: Serve

Cut into squares or scoop portions from the dish. Serve chilled, and enjoy this delightful, creamy dessert.

Tips for Making the Strawberry Banana Cream Delight

• Use Room Temperature Cream Cheese: Make sure your cream cheese is softened to room temperature before using it. This helps create a smoother, lump-free filling.
• Whip the Cream to Stiff Peaks: Ensure the heavy whipping cream is whipped to stiff peaks for the best texture in the filling. Over-whipping will cause it to become too thick and butter-like.
• Chill the Crust: Refrigerating the crust before adding the filling helps it hold together better and prevents it from becoming too soggy.
• Use Fresh Fruit: Fresh strawberries and bananas work best in this recipe. Avoid using canned fruit, as it may add too much moisture to the dessert.

How to Serve

This Strawberry Banana Cream Delight is perfect as a standalone dessert, but it also pairs wonderfully with a light and refreshing beverage like iced tea or sparkling water. If you’re serving it at a party, it would be great alongside other desserts like a fruit salad, chocolate mousse, or cheesecake.

For a more indulgent experience, consider topping each serving with a dollop of whipped cream or a sprinkle of toasted coconut.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover dessert in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If it’s stored properly, the graham cracker crust should stay fairly intact, and the filling will remain creamy.

Freezing

This dessert does not freeze well due to the whipped cream in the filling, as it may become grainy once thawed. It’s best enjoyed fresh or stored in the refrigerator.

Reheating

This dessert is meant to be served chilled, so there is no need to reheat it. Just pull it out of the fridge and serve when you’re ready.

FAQs

1. Can I use low-fat cream cheese for this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute low-fat cream cheese, but keep in mind that it may alter the texture slightly. The filling may not be as rich and creamy as when using full-fat cream cheese.

2. Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?

It’s best to use fresh strawberries for this recipe. Frozen strawberries can release too much moisture and may make the dessert soggy.

3. Can I use a different type of crust?

Yes, you can swap the graham cracker crust for other types, such as an Oreo cookie crust, shortbread crust, or even a crust made with crushed nuts.

4. Can I make this dessert dairy-free?

You can use dairy-free cream cheese and whipped coconut cream as a substitute for the cream cheese and whipped cream to make this dessert dairy-free.

5. How long does this dessert need to chill?

For the best results, chill the dessert for at least 2 hours, but overnight is recommended to allow the filling to fully set and the flavors to meld.

6. Can I add other fruits to the topping?

Yes, feel free to add other fruits like blueberries, raspberries, or kiwi to enhance the flavor and make the topping even more colorful.

7. Can I use a store-bought crust?

Absolutely! If you want to save time, you can use a pre-made graham cracker crust instead of making your own from scratch.

8. Is this dessert very sweet?

The dessert has a nice level of sweetness, but you can adjust it to your liking by reducing the amount of powdered sugar or strawberry preserves if you prefer a less sweet dessert.

9. Can I use a different flavor of preserves?

Yes, you can use raspberry, blueberry, or any other fruit preserve for a different flavor profile, though strawberry is the classic choice for this recipe.

10. Can I prepare this dessert the night before?

Yes, preparing this dessert the night before is a great option. The flavors will have time to meld, and the filling will set perfectly in the fridge.

Conclusion

Strawberry Banana Cream Delight is a refreshing, easy-to-make dessert that combines the best of fruity sweetness and creamy goodness. With its no-bake preparation and delightful layers, this dessert is perfect for warm weather, family gatherings, or any occasion that calls for something light yet indulgent. Whether served as a show-stopping centerpiece or as a sweet ending to a meal, this dessert is sure to please everyone at the table.

Related Posts:

• Strawberry Pound Cake Recipe
• Strawberry Filled Cupcakes
• Not Yo’ Mama’s Banana Pudding (Paula Deen’s Recipe)

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