Strawberry Vanilla Cream Dessert is a cool, creamy layered dessert with a pecan crust, layers of cream cheese-whipped topping-confectioner sugar, vanilla pudding with fresh sliced strawberries, then topped with whipped topping and a strawberry. This is the perfect dessert to take to any summer event.
This recipe was inspired by one in the Junior League of Charleston, WV cookbook that won first place at the WV Strawberry Festival in 1983. While the original recipe used strawberry instant pudding, this updated one uses fresh strawberries for a brighter, more natural flavor.
A few years ago, two of my little grandsons were visiting from out of town. They love to do things with me in the kitchen, so this is one of the desserts the 3 year old made from this recipe.
STRAWBERRY CREAM DESSERT.
Fresh strawberries are in abundance right now, so this is the perfect time to try this dessert. My family also enjoys Mini Strawberry Pies,
Strawberry Crepes, and Strawberry Mascarpone Breakfast Ring.
Individual serving containers are always a big hit at a party. Another fun dessert to make with fresh strawberries, in individual cups is
Punch Bowl Cake Cups.
HOW TO MAKE STRAWBERRY VANILLA CREAM DESSERT
(Full list of ingredients and instructions in printable recipe card.)
Recipe card includes directions for making it in a 9×13 inch pan or in individual serving glasses.
INGREDIENTS
CRUST:
butter
all purpose flour
sugar
chopped pecans
2nd Layer
cream cheese
confectioner sugar
whipped topping (Cool-Whip)
vanilla extract
3rd Layer
instant vanilla pudding
whole milk
fresh strawberries
Topping
fresh strawberries
part of the Cool-Whip
INSTRUCTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Prepare the crust. Place the butter, flour, sugar, and pecans in a large mixing bowl. Combine with a fork or pastry cutter. Press into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking pan. Bake for 15 minutes, cool crust.
If you are doing this dessert in the 9×13 pan, continue with the next layer.
For individual dishes, place 2 Tablespoons of the crust in the bottom of each glass and lightly press down.
Prepare the cream cheese layer. Divide evenly between the glasses. Chill for 30 minutes.
Make the pudding layer and divide between the glasses.
Add the whipped topping and strawberry garnish just prior to serving if possible. It will be fine if you need to add it ahead of time though.
Why You Will Love This Strawberry Vanilla Cream Dessert
- Easy to make with simple ingredients
- Such a perfect summertime dessert. Cool and refreshing plus delicious with all of the different layers.
- Can be made in individual glasses or in a 9×13 pan
- Great to take to a covered dish, feeds a crowd.
- This recipe is another good way to use fresh strawberries when in season.
Helpful Tips for the Best Strawberry Cream Dessert:
- Allow the crust layer to cool completely before spreading the cream cheese layer. This will keep the crust from mixing into the cream cheese.
- The cream cheese layer will spread easier if it is at room temperature.
- Add the whipped topping just prior to serving for best appearance.
- Cover the dessert glasses with Cling Wrap and keep in the refrigerator for 2-3 days total.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different flavor of pudding instead of vanilla?
YES. Banana or coconut cream pudding would be good with the strawberries.
Can I make this ahead of time?
YES, it can be made a day ahead of time, but if possible it would be best to add the topping and strawberry garnish just prior to serving.
Can I use a homemade whipped topping instead of Cool-Whip?
Yes, This works well and is delicious.
This post was shared on Sweet Little Bluebird Weekend Potluck.
This recipe was reviewed and no changes made 4/28/26.
STRAWBERRY VANILLA CREAM DESSERT
Equipment
- Large Mixing Bowl
- electric mixer
- 2 cup Measuring Cup
- 13x9 inch Baking Dish
- offset spatula
- spatula
Ingredients
- STRAWBERRY VANILLA CREAM DESSERT
- CRUST:
- 1 1/2 sticks 3/4 cup butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 2 Tablespoons sugar
- 1 cup pecans chopped
- 2 nd Layer:
- 8 oz package cream cheese softened
- 1 cup confectioner sugar
- 1 cup whipped topping from 9 oz container
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 3 rd Layer:
- 2 3oz boxes instant vanilla pudding
- 3 cups whole milk
- 3 cups fresh strawberries hulled and sliced
- Topping:
- 1 cups fresh strawberries
- Remaining amount whipped topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degress.
- Place the butter, flour, sugar, and pecans in a large mixing bowl. Combine ingredients well, using a fork or pastry cutter. Press into the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely.
- In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, beat together the cream cheese, confectioner sugar, whipped topping, and vanilla until smooth. Spread over cooled crust and refrigerate for about 30 minutes.
- In a large size mixing bowl, beat together the pudding and milk for about 2 minutes, until starts to thicken. Fold in 3 cups of the strawberries. Spread evenly over the cream cheese layer. Refrigerate at least 4 hours.
- Prior to serving, spread remaining whipped topping over the pudding and garnish with fresh sliced strawberries.
- MAKING INDIVIDUAL SERVINGS:
- ***If serving this in individual parfait/dessert glasses, when crust comes out of the oven, spoon 2 heaping tablespoons in bottom of each glass. Cool. Divide the cream cheese mixture evenly between the glasses. Chill. Divide the pudding mixture evenly between the glasses. Just prior to serving, top with a scoop of the whipped topping and a fresh strawberry*** This will make 9 or 10 (9oz) servings.
Notes
- Allow the crust layer to cool completely before spreading the cream cheese layer. This will keep the crust from mixing into the cream cheese.
- The cream cheese layer will spread easier if it is at room temperature.
- Cover the dessert glasses with Cling Wrap and keep in the refrigerator for 2-3 days total.
- Banana or coconut cream pudding would also be good with the strawberries.
- This can be made a day ahead of time, but, if possible, it would be best to add the topping and strawberry garnish just prior to serving.
Sounds Delicious n strawberries are in now here in Tehachapi,Ca. Will be making this in a couple of days😋😋 Keep your Great recipes coming please,Marie Goodson
Thank you so much. You are so kind. I love everything with strawberries.