Description
A no-bake, five-minute summer dessert featuring layers of fresh macerated strawberries, fluffy whipped cream, and vanilla wafers in a glass. It is elegant, budget-friendly, and perfect for hot weather.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pint (450g) fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 1 cup (240ml) heavy whipping cream, cold
- 1 package (about 30 cookies) vanilla wafers
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (divided)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar (optional)
- Fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Wash, hull, and slice the strawberries. Place them in a bowl and toss with 1 tablespoon of sugar and optional balsamic vinegar. Let sit for 10 minutes to macerate.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the cold heavy cream, vanilla extract, and remaining 1 tablespoon of sugar. Whip using a hand mixer or whisk until stiff peaks form.
- Break the vanilla wafers into chunks or crumbs. You can use a mix of whole and broken cookies for texture.
- In serving glasses, layer the ingredients: start with a layer of vanilla wafers, followed by macerated strawberries (including some syrup), and then a layer of whipped cream.
- Repeat the layers until the glass is full, finishing with a final layer of whipped cream.
- Garnish with a whole strawberry or mint leaf. Serve immediately or refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and cookies to soften.
Notes
Keep all ingredients cold, especially the cream, to ensure stiff peaks. If using frozen strawberries, thaw completely and drain excess liquid to prevent sogginess. The dessert can be made up to 24 hours in advance, but do not freeze as the texture will suffer. For a lighter version, reduce sugar or use less cream.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 22
- Sodium: 180
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 38
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 4
Keywords: strawberry shortcake, no-bake dessert, summer dessert, quick dessert, strawberry cups, vanilla wafers, whipped cream, easy dessert, make-ahead dessert