No Bake Strawberry Pie — The Easiest Spring Dessert You’ll Ever Make
The Spring Dessert That Looks Like You Tried
This no bake strawberry pie is the dessert I make when I need something beautiful, refreshing, and easy — and I need it fast. No oven, no fuss, just a handful of ingredients you probably already have in your pantry and a pile of fresh strawberries. I had strawberries I needed to use up, and everything else was already waiting for me. That’s my kind of spring dessert.
🍰 This one’s in my collection of desserts for a crowd — the ones that travel well and feed a lot of people.
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you purchase through my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting StephanieCooksForACrowd.com!
Watch me make this no bake strawberry pie from start to finish — or scroll down for the full printable recipe card.
Featured Tools & Ingredients
- 300 Watt
- 10-speed slide control - from a very fast whip to a very slow stir
• I beat the cream cheese smooth with this until there are zero lumps. A few minutes of mixing here is the whole difference between a silky filling and a gritty one.
- SET INCLUDES: 4.5 quart, 3.5 quart, and 2.5 quart sizes
- NONSLIP BASE: keeps bowls stable while in use
• The big bowl in this set holds the entire filling — cream cheese, Cool Whip, lemon juice, powdered sugar, and the diced strawberries folded in last.
- 2 XL BOARDS FOR BIG PREP + BETTER KITCHEN FLOW: This bamboo cutting board set includes 2 large 18 x...
- JUICE GROOVE + CARRY HANDLE FOR EASY EVERYDAY USE: Each large bamboo cutting board features a deep...
• Slice your strawberries on this. The juice groove catches everything so the cut berries don't bleed pink across the counter, and you can dice the filling strawberries and slice the topping berries in one go.
See the complete shopping list ↓
No Bake Strawberry Pie
Start CookingIngredients
- 1 graham cracker pie crust
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 tbsp bottled lemon juice
- 1 ½ cups whipped topping from an 8 oz container of Cool Whip or another brand
- ¾ cup fresh strawberries finely diced
- 1-2 cups fresh strawberries sliced (for topping)
Don’t Want to Plan? I Got You.Every Saturday I share a full week of dinners, sides, and a dessert — with the grocery list already done. Come grab this week’s Weekly Meal Plans!Method Start Cooking
- In a mixing bowl, beat softened cream cheese until smooth.
- Add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon juice. Beat until combined.
- Fold in 3/4 cup finely diced fresh strawberries.
- Fold in 1 1/2 cups Cool Whip until light and creamy.
- Spread filling evenly into the graham cracker pie crust.
- Layer sliced fresh strawberries over the top of the filling.
- Cover loosely and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight.
- Slice, serve, and enjoy!
Nutrition
Video
Notes
Four Weeks of Family-Friendly FoodWhen people gather, I cook. Four weeks of the dinners my crowd asks for — planned, tested, and shopped for. Come see what’s in the cookbook →Why This No Bake Strawberry Pie Works
The cream cheese base is what makes this no bake strawberry pie so special. It’s not heavy or overly sweet — the powdered sugar sweetens it just enough, the lemon juice keeps it bright, and the Cool Whip makes the whole filling light and mousse-like. And then you’ve got fresh strawberries folded right into the filling AND layered on top, so every single bite has real strawberry flavor. No gelatin, no baking, no drama.
This pie is perfect for spring and summer gatherings, potlucks, or just a weeknight dessert when you want something that looks like you tried a lot harder than you actually did. It needs at least 6 hours in the refrigerator to set, so I always make it the night before. Morning-you will thank evening-you. According to Taste of Home, fresh strawberries are at their best when they’re bright red with no soft spots — and that absolutely holds true for this pie. The better your strawberries, the better your pie.
A Few Things That Make No Bake Strawberry Pie Even Easier
- Soften the cream cheese fully before you start. Cold cream cheese will give you lumps you can’t beat out, no matter how hard you try. Set the brick on the counter for at least an hour, or unwrap and microwave at 50% power for 20 seconds. Truly soft cream cheese is the difference between a smooth filling and a lumpy one.
- Pat the topping strawberries dry. After slicing, lay them on a paper towel and gently pat the cut sides. Strawberries hold a surprising amount of water, and undry berries will weep onto the filling and turn the top of the pie watery.
- Chill it overnight, not just six hours. Six hours works in a pinch, but an overnight chill firms the filling up beautifully and gives you clean, photo-worthy slices. This is a make-ahead recipe by design — lean into it.
- Use the lid from the crust for storage. The Amazon Grocery graham cracker pie crust comes with a clear plastic lid that pops right back over the top. Free Tupperware. No plastic wrap fighting with the strawberry topping.
- Hot knife, clean slices. Run a sharp knife under hot water, wipe it dry, slice, then re-warm the knife between cuts. The warm blade glides through the cream cheese filling and gives you bakery-clean wedges every time.
No Bake Strawberry Pie FAQ — The Questions I Get Every Time
How long does no bake strawberry pie need to chill?
At least 6 hours in the refrigerator — but overnight is even better. The filling needs time to set up and firm, so the pie slices cleanly and holds its shape. If you try to cut it too soon, the filling will be too soft to slice neatly.
Can I make no bake strawberry pie ahead of time?
Yes — and I recommend it. Make it the evening before you need it and let it chill overnight. It keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, though the strawberry topping is freshest on day one. Cover loosely with the lid from the crust or plastic wrap.
Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?
Fresh strawberries are strongly preferred for the topping — frozen strawberries release too much liquid and will make the top of your pie soggy. For the diced strawberries folded into the filling, you can use thawed frozen strawberries in a pinch, but drain them very well first.
Can I use a homemade graham cracker crust?
Absolutely. Combine 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs, ⅓ cup melted butter, and 3 tablespoons sugar. Press firmly into a 9-inch pie plate and chill for 30 minutes before filling. The store-bought crust is a perfectly fine shortcut though — no shame in easy.
Can I freeze no bake strawberry pie?
I don’t recommend freezing this pie. The cream cheese and Cool Whip filling will weep as it thaws, and the fresh strawberry topping will become watery and lose its texture. This pie is best made fresh and eaten within 3 days from the refrigerator.
How many does this no bake strawberry pie serve?
A standard 9-inch pie cuts into 8 slices. If you’re feeding a crowd, make two — this recipe doubles easily and takes only a few extra minutes. Both pies can chill in the refrigerator overnight side by side.
🛒 Complete Shopping List
Everything you need to make this No Bake Strawberry Pie — click any item to shop on Amazon.
Ingredients
Equipment
More Easy No-Bake Desserts You’ll Love
- No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies — six ingredients, no oven, ready in 20 minutes.
- 3 Ingredient Cherry Dump Cake — the easiest crowd dessert on this entire site.
- Apple Berry Crisp — warm, fruity, and completely irresistible.
📬 Come to the table on Saturday
Every Saturday morning I send a printable meal plan and full grocery list — the whole week, formatted for the fridge and the grocery run — plus new recipes and whatever’s happening at the Longstreth house. Drop your email below and I’ll save you a seat.
No Bake Strawberry Pie — About Stephanie’s Recipes
Stephanie Longstreth is the home cook, mom, and storyteller behind StephanieCooksForACrowd.com. She cooks for a family of seven in Florida — five kids, two cats, and one husband who appreciates a good dessert. Four of her children came home through adoption, and family stories are woven into everything she makes and shares. Find her crowd-friendly recipes, weekly meal plans, and real family life on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest @stephaniecooksforacrowd.