Strawberry Cream Cheese Icebox Cake

INGREDIENTS:

2 pounds strawberries

2 sleeves graham crackers

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, room temperature

1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

2 (3.4 ounce) packages instant cheesecake flavored pudding

3 cups milk

1 (12-ounce) carton Cool Whip, divided

DIRECTIONS:

Step 1: Prepare the Strawberries

Cleaning and Slicing: Begin by cleaning the strawberries. Rinse them thoroughly under cold water and pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel. Once dry, slice the strawberries into 1/4-inch thick pieces. Set the sliced strawberries aside. It’s essential to prepare the strawberries first because the cream cheese mixture will start to set quickly once it’s mixed up.

Step 2: Prepare the Baking Dish

Layering Graham Crackers: Line the bottom of a 3-quart 13×9-inch baking dish with graham crackers. You will find that six whole graham crackers fit perfectly, and you’ll need to break the seventh one to fill in any gaps. Set the dish aside.

Step 3: Prepare the Cream Cheese Mixture

Mixing the Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the room-temperature cream cheese and the sweetened condensed milk. Use an electric mixer to beat the mixture until it is smooth and creamy.

Adding Pudding and Milk: Add the two packages of instant cheesecake-flavored pudding mixes and the 3 cups of milk to the bowl. Continue mixing on low speed for 4 to 5 minutes until the mixture starts to thicken.

Folding in Cool Whip: Gently fold in 2 cups of Cool Whip into the mixture until it is smooth and well combined.

Step 4: Assemble the Cake

First Layer: Pour half of the cream cheese mixture over the layer of graham crackers in the baking dish. Use a spatula to spread it evenly.

Strawberry Layer: Arrange a single layer of the sliced strawberries over the cream cheese mixture.

Second Layer of Graham Crackers: Place another layer of graham crackers over the strawberries.

Remaining Cream Cheese Mixture: Pour the remaining cream cheese mixture over the second layer of graham crackers. Spread it evenly with a spatula.

Final Strawberry Layer: Top the cream cheese mixture with another layer of sliced strawberries …