Cheesecake dessert lasagna is an easy no-bake summer dessert recipe to impress! Fluffy Strawberry Cheesecake Dessert Lasagna is light as a cloud, with four layers of favorite seasonal flavors. Both gluten-free and gluten options in this cheesecake dessert lasagna recipe too!
I feel like everywhere I turn online I am seeing fluffy, cloudlike layered desserts that are calling my name. I love looking at all the beautiful food photos on Pinterest and find it to be a hotbed of these types of desserts. Often referred to as a ‘lasagna’ they have a crust and two or three layers of different flavors. I couldn’t take it any longer and have made my own gluten-free version: Fluffy No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Dessert Lasagna.
I’m not sure what it is about certain desserts that makes them so alluring. This dessert makes you want to dive right in. It is so light I found when dishing it out or taking photos that it can just slide right off the plate if not paying attention. It’s about as opposite of a lasagna in that way but the distinct layering is what has graced it with the ‘lasagna’ name.
‘No bake’ are two of my favorite words in the summer and that definitely adds to the caché of this little number. I haven’t ever seen a version of this recipe made gluten-free, so set out to remedy that. The key thing that is different between a gluten and gluten-free version is the crust.
How to Make a Layered Cheesecake Dessert
Fluffy No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Dessert Lasagna is made up of four layers.
The first layer is crust, made from vanilla sandwich cookies pulverized into crumbs and bound together with a bit of melted butter.
What I’ve learned over the decade of being and cooking gluten-free is that gluten-free cookie or cracker (graham usually) crumbs do not absorb butter in the same way. Gluten-free crumbs cannot absorb as much melted butter to become a crust. I’ve provided a note on making the dessert with gluten cookies, so everyone can enjoy this luscious dessert.
The second layer of this cheesecake dessert is a creamy combination of:
- cream cheese
- butter
- strawberries and
- whipped topping
This is followed by a layer of custard made with cheesecake flavored instant pudding. The pudding mix is combined with strawberry milk, leaving what tastes just like strawberry cheesecake, but with a custard texture.
The cheesecake dessert is topped with a layer of whipped topping, for a fluffy look and texture! It’s dreamy, that’s all there is to it. Also any whipped topping may be used. I’ve used traditional brands and also an all organic brand (Truwhip) and they all work well.
This is a no bake dessert that needs to be kept in the refrigerator. Like traditional cheesecake, this makes a light, cool end to a summer’s meal!
Cheesecake Dessert Lasagna Recipe Notes:
- The secret of the cheesecake portion of this dessert lasagna comes from cheesecake pudding mix, which makes a lovely custard layer.
- You will want to use a food processor to make fine cookie crumbs.
Recipe
Fluffy No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Dessert Lasagna
Ingredients
- 40 Gluten-free Vanilla Sandwich Cookies (2 packages) (if making with gluten cookies see notes below)*
- 4 tablespoons Unsalted Butter , melted
- 1 ½ cups Strawberries , finely diced or processed through a food processor to pulverize
- 8 ounces Cream Cheese , softened
- ½ cup (1 stick) Unsalted Butter, softened
- 1 cup Confectioner’s Sugar
- 1 ½ cups plus 1 ½ cups Frozen Whipped Topping , thawed per product instructions
- 2-3.4 ounce packages Instant Cheesecake Pudding
- 3 cups Strawberry Milk
Instructions
- Process the vanilla sandwich cookies through a food processor to make fine crumbs. Slowly pour the melted butter through the opening in the top of the food processor while it is operating to combine the melted butter with the cookie crumbs.
- Transfer the cookie crumb mixture into a 13 by 9-inch baking pan. Press to flatten with the bottom of a drinking glass or jar; place in the refrigerator.
- In the bowl of a standing mixer (or large mixing bowl with handheld mixer) mix the cream cheese and ½ cup softened butter together. Slowly add the confectioner’s sugar on low speed, increasing the speed as the sugar is absorbed until it is fully incorporated.
- Add the strawberries and mix just until incorporated. Fold in 1 ½ cups whipped topping by hand and spread evenly over the prepared dessert crust. Place in the refrigerator to set for 10 minutes.
- Combine the pudding mix and strawberry milk; whisk vigorously for two minutes to totally dissolve the pudding and to allow thickening to begin. Spoon onto the cream cheese layer and smooth to make a uniform layer. Chill in the refrigerator until the layer is set (15-20 minutes)
- Cover the top layer with the remaining 1 ½ cups of whipped topping and serve.
Val says
These looks like a neat recipe idea to try, I be it is really yummy!
Mary Edwards says
This is a perfect summer dessert. I dont have to turn on the oven. And it’s nice and cool!
Catherine S says
Wow, this is my kind of lasagna! I can’t wait to make this, thanks for the recipe.
Marcie W. says
So perfectly layered, so light, and I am sure so delicious as well. I definitely need this type of lasagna in my life!
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
Love these layered creamy desserts. This is a beautiful shade of pink too! Looks yummy!
Monica says
This looks beyond AMAZING! I only hope that mine will look half as pretty. 🙂
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
Oh yum! Best lasagna ever! This is by far one of the yummiest desserts I’ve seen.
Crystal says
I’m throwing a little baby shower for my neighbor and this will be perfect! I love the layered look of the lasagna. Perfect to welcome a baby girl.
Pam says
This looks so good, just like all of your recipes. Now you have me craving something sweet.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
Mmmmm, dessert lasagna? I love it. This looks absolutely delectable.!