Freezer Strawberry Shortbread Dessert: A No-Bake Summer Delight

Introduction & Inspiration

This Freezer Strawberry Shortbread Dessert is the perfect no-bake treat for warm weather. It combines the salty crunch of a pretzel crust with a creamy, sweet, and slightly tangy strawberry filling, all topped with a fresh strawberry sauce. It’s a delightful combination of flavors and textures that’s both refreshing and satisfying. The perfect summer dessert.

My inspiration for this recipe comes from a love of simple, no-bake desserts and the desire to create something that’s both easy to make and incredibly delicious. I wanted a dessert that was perfect for hot days when you don’t want to turn on the oven, yet still impressive enough for a special occasion.

This dessert is perfect for potlucks, barbecues, or any time you need a cool and refreshing treat. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, and it requires minimal effort to assemble. Easy and delicious.

Nostalgic Appeal

No-bake desserts often evoke feelings of nostalgia and childhood summers. They’re often associated with easy, breezy recipes and simple pleasures. The combination of strawberries, cream cheese, and a pretzel crust is a unique, yet familiar flavor profile that’s both comforting and exciting.

This recipe captures that nostalgic appeal while providing clear, step-by-step instructions for making a truly delightful no-bake dessert. It’s a way to enjoy those classic summer flavors in a fun and refreshing way.

A simple recipe, to enjoy hot summer days.

Homemade Focus

This Freezer Strawberry Shortbread Dessert utilizes a few smart shortcuts, such as using frozen sweetened sliced strawberries, frozen whipped topping, and nonalcoholic strawberry daiquiri mix. However, the emphasis is still on creating a mostly homemade dessert with fresh, high-quality ingredients.

We’re making the pretzel crust from scratch, creating a creamy and flavorful filling, and making a fresh strawberry sauce for the topping. It’s a semi-homemade approach that’s perfect for busy cooks who still want to create something special. The shortcuts used are for convenience.

It’s about finding a balance between convenience and that satisfying feeling of making something delicious yourself. It’s about using simple ingredients to create a dessert that’s both impressive and refreshing.

The perfect balance between store-bought ingredients and homemade touch.

Flavor Goal

The primary flavor goal for this Freezer Strawberry Shortbread Dessert is a delightful combination of sweet, salty, tangy, and creamy flavors, with a focus on fresh strawberries. The pretzel crust should be buttery and salty, providing a satisfying crunch that contrasts with the smooth filling and topping.

The filling should be creamy and slightly tangy, with a pronounced strawberry flavor from both the frozen strawberries and the daiquiri mix. The strawberry sauce adds another layer of fresh strawberry flavor and a beautiful, glossy finish.

The overall effect is a dessert that’s both refreshing and indulgent, a perfect balance of flavors and textures. It’s a light and airy treat that’s perfect for a hot day. A summer treat.

Ingredient Insights

For the Crust:

• Crushed Pretzels: Provide the salty, crunchy base for the dessert.
• Butter (Melted): Binds the pretzel crumbs together and adds richness.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness to the crust, balancing the saltiness of the pretzels.

For the Filling:

• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Provides sweetness and creaminess to the filling.
• Thawed Nonalcoholic Strawberry Daiquiri Mix: Adds a concentrated strawberry flavor and a hint of lime, complementing the fresh strawberries.
• Cream Cheese (Softened): Provides the tangy, creamy base for the filling. Use full-fat cream cheese for the best results.
• Frozen Sweetened Sliced Strawberries (Thawed): Add fresh strawberry flavor and texture to the filling.
• Frozen Whipped Topping (Thawed): Adds lightness and creaminess to the filling.

For the Sauce:

• Frozen Sweetened Sliced Strawberries (Thawed and Undrained): Provide the base for the fresh strawberry sauce.

Essential Equipment

• Small Bowl: For mixing the crust ingredients.
• 11×7-Inch Dish: For assembling and freezing the dessert.
• Large Bowl: For mixing the filling ingredients.
• Electric Mixer (Handheld or Stand Mixer): For beating the cream cheese filling.
• Food Processor or Blender: For pureeing the strawberries for the sauce.
• Fine Sieve: For straining the strawberry sauce.
• Spatula

Ingredients

• 1-1/4 cups crushed pretzels
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, melted

FILLING:

• 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 cup thawed nonalcoholic strawberry daiquiri mix
• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 1 container (16 ounces) frozen sweetened sliced strawberries, thawed
• 1 carton (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed

SAUCE:

• 1 container (16 ounces) frozen sweetened sliced strawberries, thawed and undrained

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Make the Pretzel Crust:

• In a small bowl, combine the crushed pretzels, sugar, and melted butter.
• Press the mixture onto the bottom of a greased 11×7-inch dish.
• Refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the crust to set.

2. Make the Filling:

• In a large bowl, combine the sweetened condensed milk and the thawed strawberry daiquiri mix.
• Beat in the softened cream cheese until smooth.
• Stir in the thawed, sweetened sliced strawberries.
• Fold in the thawed whipped topping.
• Pour the filling over the chilled pretzel crust (the dish will be full).

3. Freeze:

• Freeze for at least 4 hours before serving, or preferably overnight, until completely firm.

4. Make the Strawberry Sauce:

• Puree the thawed, undrained strawberries in a food processor or blender until smooth.
• Strain the puree through a fine sieve to remove the seeds.

5. Serve:

• Drizzle the strawberry sauce over the top of the frozen dessert.
• Let stand for a few minutes before serving.

Troubleshooting

• Crust is Too Crumbly: Make sure to use enough melted butter to bind the pretzel crumbs together.
• Filling is Too Soft: Make sure the cream cheese is softened but not warm. Also, make sure to freeze the dessert for the specified time to allow it to set completely.

Tips and Variations

• Toast the Pretzels: For a deeper flavor, toast the pretzels before crushing them.
• Use Different Fruits: Try using other berries, such as raspberries or blueberries, instead of strawberries.
• Add a Layer of Chocolate: Drizzle melted chocolate over the crust before adding the filling.
• Make Individual Servings: Layer the ingredients in individual glasses or jars for a pretty presentation.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

• Serve Frozen: This dessert is best served frozen.
• With a Glass of Lemonade or Iced Tea: A refreshing pairing for a summer treat.
• As a Dessert for a Party: Perfect for a potluck, barbecue, or any special occasion.
• With a dollop of whipped cream:

Nutritional Information

(Note: This is an estimated nutritional breakdown.) Per Serving (assuming about 10 servings):

• Calories: 300-350
• Fat: 18-22g
• Saturated Fat: 10-12g
• Cholesterol: 40-50mg
• Sodium: 250-300mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 35-40g
• Dietary Fiber: 1-2g
• Sugars: 25-30g
• Protein: 3-4g

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Recipe Summary and Q&A

Summary: This Freezer Strawberry Shortbread Dessert is a no-bake treat featuring a pretzel crust, a creamy strawberry filling made with sweetened condensed milk, daiquiri mix, cream cheese, frozen strawberries, and whipped topping, and a fresh strawberry sauce. The process involves making the crust, making the filling, freezing, making the sauce, and serving.

Q&A:

• Q: Can I use fresh strawberries instead of frozen?
  • A: You can use fresh strawberries in the filling, but frozen sweetened strawberries are recommended for both the filling and the sauce for convenience and to help the dessert set properly.
• Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
  • A: Yes! This dessert is best made at least 4 hours in advance, or even a day or two before, to allow it to freeze completely.
• Q: How long will it last?
• A: Several weeks in the freezer, well wrapped.
• Q: Can I use a different type of crust?
  • A: Yes, you could use a graham cracker crust or a vanilla wafer crust.
• Q: Can I use sugar-free gelatin and/or whipped topping?
• A: yes.