Creamy layers meet tart, juicy berries and sit atop a crisp crust for a one-of-a-kind spring dessert.

The richness of the cream cheese layer is balanced by the acidity in the strawberries.

Thegraham cracker crustadds sweetness, too, along with much needed crunch.

Southern Living Strawberry Delight sliced and ready to serve

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The final dish is delightfully airy and light.

It might remind you of a lighterice box cake.

Not only is this dessert beautifully to see on a plate, it is also delicious.

Southern Living Strawberry Delight making the graham cracker crumbs

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That’s a winning combo in our books.

Ingredients

Cooking spray

9graham cracker sheets(from 1 [14.4-oz.]

2Tbsp.granulated sugar

1/4tsp.kosher salt

6Tbsp.

Southern Living Strawberry Delight making the crust for the dessert

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)unsalted butter, melted

1tsp.vanilla extract, divided

2(8-oz.)pkg.

jar)

1Tbsp.strawberry-flavored gelatin(from 1 [3-oz.]

Freeze, uncovered, until firm, about 30 minutes.

Southern Living Strawberry Delight pressing the crust into the pan

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Cover and refrigerate remaining whipped cream until ready to use.

Cover and refrigerate remaining sliced strawberries for later use.

Make strawberry jam mixture:

Stir together strawberry jam and gelatin until fully combined.

Southern Living Strawberry Delight making the cream cheese mixture

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Gently fold jam mixture into remaining cream cheese mixture until combined.

Spread in an even layer over first cream cheese mixture.

Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to 8 hours.

Southern Living Strawberry Delight whipping the cream

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When ready to serve, garnish with reserved sliced strawberries.

Strawberry delight can be made up to a day ahead.

Anymore than that and you risk the layers turning watery and thin as the berries release moisture.

Southern Living Strawberry Delight folding whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture

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Substitutions and Variations

you could improvise a few things with this dessert.

Southern Living Strawberry Delight layering the strawberry slices over the crust

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Southern Living Strawberry Delight spreading the cream cheese mixture over the strawberries

Credit:Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood

Southern Living Strawberry Delight making the strawberry jam mixture

Credit:Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood

Southern Living Strawberry Delight folding the strawberry mixture into the cream cheese mixture

Credit:Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood

Southern Living Strawberry Delight spreading the strawberry mixture over the cream cheese mixture

Credit:Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood

Southern Living Strawberry Delight spreading the cream cheese mixture over the strawberry mixture

Credit:Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood

Southern Living Strawberry Delight in the pan ready to serve

Credit:Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood

Southern Living Strawberry Delight ingredients

Credit:Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood