No-Bake Strawberry Cream Cheese Dessert Cups

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Light and refreshing dessert cups layered with sweet strawberries and smooth cream cheese mousse, perfect for a quick and elegant treat. This american-inspired desserts (vegetarian) ready in about 15 minutes layers sliced fresh strawberries, softened cream cheese, powdered sugar into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Serves 4 American cuisine 320 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a mixing bowl, beat 8 oz softened cream cheese with 1/2 cup powdered sugar and 1 tsp vanilla extract until smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes.
  2. Step 2: In a separate bowl, whip 1 cup cold heavy cream with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until fully combined and fluffy.
  4. Step 4: Spoon 1/3 cup graham cracker crumbs evenly into the bottom of 4 dessert cups.
  5. Step 5: Layer 1/4 cup of the cream cheese mousse over the crumbs, then add 1/4 cup sliced fresh strawberries on top.
  6. Step 6: Repeat layering with remaining graham cracker crumbs, mousse, and strawberries until cups are filled.
  7. Step 7: Refrigerate the dessert cups for at least 1 hour before serving to allow flavors to meld and mousse to set.

Frequently asked questions

How long does No-Bake Strawberry Cream Cheese Dessert Cups take to make?

Total time is about 15 minutes (15 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.

How do I store leftover No-Bake Strawberry Cream Cheese Dessert Cups?

Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.

Can I substitute ingredients in No-Bake Strawberry Cream Cheese Dessert Cups?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale No-Bake Strawberry Cream Cheese Dessert Cups for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is No-Bake Strawberry Cream Cheese Dessert Cups vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

Related recipes