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Creamy, fruity and easy to love, strawberry lush is the kind of no-bake dessert that’ll steal the spotlight at any gathering. With layers of crumbly cookie crust, velvety cheesecake filling, fruity strawberry whipped topping, and fresh strawberries, it’s as good to eat as it is to look at. Whether you’re hosting a summer party or just need something cool and sweet, this make-ahead treat checks all the boxes. Serve it chilled, slice it up and get ready for all those rave reviews.
Strawberry lush is a cool, creamy dessert with layers of Golden Oreo crust, cheesecake filling, whipped topping, and strawberries. It’s no-bake and so easy.
You might also like key lime lush, cherry lush, blueberry lush, lemon lush, strawberry slab pie, and strawberry poke cake.
Why You’ll Love It
Easy to make: No baking required, and the layers come together with minimal effort.
Perfect for warm weather: A chilled, refreshing dessert that’s just right on sunny days.
Great for gatherings: It serves a crowd and looks beautiful on the dessert table.
Flexible flavors: You can easily swap the fruit or gelatin flavor to mix things up.
Strawberry Lush Dessert Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Golden Oreo cookies: For a sweet, crunchy base layer.
Butter: Helps bind the crust together. I used unsalted butter but salted butter will work if that’s all you have.
Strawberry gelatin: Adds bright, fruity flavor to the creamy layer. I used the Jell-O brand.
Softened cream cheese: Gives the cheesecake filling its rich, smooth texture. Use full fat for max flavor and don’t leave cream cheese on the counter for longer than 2 hours.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese without making it gritty.
Vanilla extract: Adds a hint of warmth to the filling.
Boiling water: To dissolve the gelatin crystals.
Ice cold water: I put two ice cubes in water to help cool it down. This is to make up the Jello.
Whipped topping: Lightens the filling and tops off the layers. I used Cool Whip. Thaw it in the fridge overnight.
Strawberries: Fresh and juicy for that final burst of flavor.
How to Make Strawberry Lush
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Make the crust: Combine the cookie crumbs with the butter using a food processor and press the buttery fine crumbs mixture into a greased baking dish.
Make the gelatin layer: Dissolve the gelatin in hot water in a medium bowl, add cold water, fold in whipped topping and chill.
Make the cream cheese layer: Beat cream cheese with sugar and vanilla in a large bowl, then mix in whipped topping.
Assemble the layers: Spread the cream cheese mixture over crust, pour the strawberry layer on top, and chill until set.
Finish and serve: Top with the remaining Cool Whip and fresh strawberries when you’re ready to serve.
Substitutions and Variations
Gluten-free option: If you want a gluten-free version, use gluten-free cookies.
Change the fruit: Use raspberries, blueberries or mixed berries instead of strawberries.
Whipped topping: You can use homemade whipped cream instead of Cool Whip. You’ll need to whip 4 ½ cups of cold heavy whipping cream with ¾ cup of powdered sugar until stiff, or make 9 cups of your own whipped cream recipe.
Try a different crust: Feel free to use something other than Golden Oreos. If you want to use vanilla wafer cookies, I recommend using 30 cookies and increasing the amount of butter to ½ cup.
Flavor twist: Swap the strawberry gelatin for raspberry, cherry or lemon for a new flavor spin.
Add a pudding layer: Instant pudding mix can be used to make an additional layer between the Cool Whip layer and gelatin layer. Instant cheesecake pudding mix would be really good, or you could go with vanilla pudding or chocolate pudding for a chocolate lush.
Topping ideas: Top the dessert with diced or sliced strawberries, crushed Golden Oreo cookies or mini Golden Oreos.
Serving Suggestions
Appetizers: Begin your meal with hot honey wings or scallop skewers.
Main dishes: Serve Cajun chicken and sweet potatoes with street corn kale salad or firecracker beef and hibachi noodles.
Dessert: Finish off with a slice of strawberry lush dessert.
How to Store Strawberry Cheesecake Lush
Store: Keep the dessert covered with plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The crust may start to get soggy after that.
Freeze: Wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and then foil and store in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Thaw: Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving. I recommend freezing before adding the sliced strawberries on top.
Top Tips
Allow ample chill time: Let each layer of this easy dessert set fully before adding the next so they stay distinct and firm. Make sure the gelatin is cool or at room temperature before adding the whipped topping to keep it from separating. Chilling it in the fridge while you make the cheesecake layer will also help keep it from separating.
Use room temperature cream cheese: This makes the filling smoother and easier to mix. The cream cheese needs to be free of lumps before adding the whipped topping to avoid a lumpy dessert.
Stir gelatin before pouring: Make sure the gelatin hasn’t separated before adding it to the cheesecake layer.
Making the crust: Use the flat bottom of a glass or measuring cup to firmly press the crumbs into the baking dish. When the crumbs are firmly packed, the crust is less likely to fall apart when you slice the dessert.
Strawberry Lush FAQs
Yes, it actually sets better if you chill it overnight before serving.
Yes, but thaw and drain them first to avoid excess moisture in the topping.
You can, but be sure it’s whipped to stiff peaks and used right away to prevent deflating.
Best Strawberry Lush Recipe
Strawberry Lush
Equipment
- Baking Dish 9 x 13-Inch
Ingredients
For the Crust
- 24 Golden Oreos
- 5 Tablespoons butter
- butter, melted or shortening, for greasing
For the Filling
- 1 Box strawberry gelatin, 3-Ounce
- ¾ Cup water, boiling
- ½ Cup water, ice cold
- 16 Ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1 Cup powdered sugar
- 1 Teaspoon vanilla extract
- 24 Ounces whipped topping, thawed
For the Topping
- 16 Ounces strawberries, fresh, diced
Instructions
- Grease the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch baking dish or pan with butter or shortening. Set aside.
Make the Crust
- Crush the Golden Oreos in a food processor at high speed, then slowly pour the butter into the processor while it runs at low speed until the crumbs start to clump together.
- Pour the crumbs into the greased pan and press them firmly into the bottom of the pan.
- Freeze the crust for at least 20 minutes or until firm.
Make the Filling Layers
- While the crust is freezing, combine the strawberry gelatin and boiled water in a large bowl and whisk until the gelatin is dissolved.
- Pour the cold water into the gelatin mixture slowly while whisking until combined.
- Fold in a third of the thawed whipped topping carefully so it doesn’t deflate until it is thoroughly mixed. Put the mixture in the fridge while you make the cheesecake layer.
- In a separate large bowl, add the cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla extract, and mix with an electric mixer until smooth.
- Add another third of whipped topping and mix at low speed until combined.
Assemble the Dessert
- Spoon the cheesecake filling over the frozen crust and spread it out evenly.
- Take the gelatin mixture out of the fridge and stir to make sure the gelatin hasn’t separated on the bottom.
- Pour the gelatin whipped topping mixture over the cheesecake layer.
Chill the Dessert
- Cover the dessert with plastic wrap, and chill for at least 4 hours or until the gelatin layer is completely set.
Add the Toppings
- When you’re ready to serve, spread the remaining third of the whipped topping on top of the dessert and smooth it out.
- Top with the diced strawberries and serve chilled.
Notes
Use room temperature cream cheese: This makes the filling smoother and easier to mix. The cream cheese needs to be free of lumps before adding the whipped topping to avoid a lumpy dessert.
Stir gelatin before pouring: Make sure the gelatin hasn’t separated before adding it to the cheesecake layer.
Making the crust: Use the flat bottom of a glass or measuring cup to firmly press the crumbs into the baking dish. When the crumbs are firmly packed, the crust is less likely to fall apart when you slice the dessert.
Nutrition
Strawberry lush is one of those delicious no-fuss desserts that looks impressive and tastes even better. With its creamy layers, fresh berry topping and chilled texture, it’s perfect for entertaining or just treating yourself. Once you try it, don’t be surprised if it becomes your new go-to summer recipe. Lush dessert recipes are always popular. You can switch up the flavors or stick with strawberries—either way, it’s a win.
Other Recipes to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
This one is a new favorite in our house! The layers are so pretty and the strawberry flavor really shines. I loved how light and fluffy it turned out.