Nothing says summer quite like berries and cream! Hot days call for light desserts and fresh fruit. In the thick of the season we are often busy, pulling together last minute BBQ’s and nothing is sweeter than a quality, decadent and beautiful no bake recipe! As someone who needs to eat gluten free and dairy free a few things ring true 1: I almost never get to enjoy the mouthwatering dessert spread at my average picnic 2: I know that it’s intimidating for hosts to make desserts for special diets like mine. All of this lead me to create a recipe that I would certainly enjoy. Also, one that is incredibly simple and that everyone at the event would enjoy!
A few notes on ingredients:
Gluten Free Graham Crackers: Pamelas Cinnamon Gluten Free Graham Crackers are by far the best. However, if someone is allergic to dairy or avoiding it all together, they do use cream. For a FULLY Gluten free dairy free option we recommend using this specific product, which still gives you an incredible end result
Dairy Free Cool Whip: So Delicious Brand Coco Whip is found at most major grocery stores. Often it is sold near the other brands however on occasion it can be found in obscure places like with the frozen fruit, in the natural food section or gluten free foods.
Filling: The beauty of this recipe is that it’s so versatile! You can really fill it with whatever you’d like! Just remember to keep it GF/DF check the ingredients of what you add
Serving Dish: For the sake of effortlessly beautiful presentation, we recommend making this cake in a white casserole dish. While using whatever you have is fine, by doing so you are allowing the natural colors of the fruit to shine AND when you add it to the table it will bring simple elegance.
Our hope is that through this divine summer treat you feel comfortable making room for all dietary needs this season. Ultimately that you enjoy digging your teeth into every last bite of this beautiful, simple dessert!
Wash & prepare berries. Slice the strawberries into thin pieces, any direction is fine!
On the bottom of the pan add a thin layer of cool whip. Top with the graham crackers to cover the surface. Break pieces if needed to cover side to side.
Generously cover the graham crackers with the three types of berries. Make sure to cover completely and evenly side to side. This assures that each slice gets an even amount of each berry i.e
Top the berries with cool whip using a spatula or the back of a spoon to spread evenly. Top with graham crackers and continue the sequence until you reach the top of the pan or run out of ingredients. I was able to get three complete layers.
To finish make sure the top layer is cool whip, even if it breaks the sequence.
With any remaining graham crackers, use a food processor or a zip lock back to crush into a fine crumb. You can design however you would like but I used the crumbs to create a frame. From there I used sliced strawberries, and a few of each of the berries to create a design around the frame (Refer to picture)
Refrigerate at least 4 hours, overnight is best! If you serve too quickly the graham crackers won't have time to "break down" and soften which is what you need for decadence of all the flavors coming together!
Don't be scared of big pieces as you serve this because truly it is mostly fruit and cream! Keep for up to a week...if it lasts that long.
Wash & prepare berries. Slice the strawberries into thin pieces, any direction is fine!
On the bottom of the pan add a thin layer of cool whip. Top with the graham crackers to cover the surface. Break pieces if needed to cover side to side.
Generously cover the graham crackers with the three types of berries. Make sure to cover completely and evenly side to side. This assures that each slice gets an even amount of each berry i.e
Top the berries with cool whip using a spatula or the back of a spoon to spread evenly. Top with graham crackers and continue the sequence until you reach the top of the pan or run out of ingredients. I was able to get three complete layers.
To finish make sure the top layer is cool whip, even if it breaks the sequence.
With any remaining graham crackers, use a food processor or a zip lock back to crush into a fine crumb. You can design however you would like but I used the crumbs to create a frame. From there I used sliced strawberries, and a few of each of the berries to create a design around the frame (Refer to picture)
Refrigerate at least 4 hours, overnight is best! If you serve too quickly the graham crackers won't have time to "break down" and soften which is what you need for decadence of all the flavors coming together!
Don't be scared of big pieces as you serve this because truly it is mostly fruit and cream! Keep for up to a week...if it lasts that long.