Layered Strawberry Cream Pie Refrigerator Cake

Serves 8 · 30 min prep

Estimate for one serving

• 420 cal
• 7g protein
• 52g carbs
• 21g fat
• 3g fiber

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Ingredients

• 1 box (about 14 oz) graham crackers
• 1.5 lb fresh strawberries
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 box (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
• 1.5 cups cold milk
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp lemon zest

Instructions

1. 1Line a 9x13-inch baking dish with parchment for easy lifting later. Hull and slice the strawberries into even thin pieces, setting aside the prettiest slices for the final top layer.
2. 2In a large bowl beat the cream cheese until smooth, then slowly stream in the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla until fully incorporated and silky.
3. 3In another bowl whisk the instant pudding mix with the cold milk for two minutes until it begins to thicken. Fold the pudding into the cream cheese mixture along with the lemon zest until no streaks remain.
4. 4Whip one and a half cups of the heavy cream with the powdered sugar to medium-stiff peaks. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream-pudding base to create a light strawberry-cream-pie style filling.
5. 5Spread a thin layer of the cream filling across the bottom of the prepared dish. Arrange a single layer of graham crackers over it, breaking pieces as needed to cover completely.
6. 6Spoon half of the remaining cream filling over the crackers and smooth it evenly. Scatter half of the sliced strawberries in an even layer on top of the cream.
7. 7Add another full layer of graham crackers, the rest of the cream filling, and the remaining sliced strawberries. Finish with one final layer of graham crackers pressed gently into the cream.
8. 8Whip the remaining half cup of cream to soft peaks and spread or pipe it over the top cracker layer as a thin frosting. Arrange the reserved pretty strawberry slices decoratively across the surface.
9. 9Cover tightly and refrigerate at least 6 hours or overnight so the crackers soften into a cake-like texture while the cream and berries meld into classic strawberry cream pie flavor.
10. 10Slice into neat squares with a sharp knife wiped clean between cuts. Serve chilled; the layers hold the creamy berry profile front and center like a deconstructed pie.