Strawberry Cheesecake Dream Bars

By SSmith

Ingredients

• 1 1/3 cups graham cracker crumbs, plus additional for topping
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 16-ounces fresh strawberries, divided
• (you'll need 4 for the cream cheese layer and 5 whole for decoration)
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1 3.4-ounce package Strawberry Creme Pudding
• 4-ounces cream cheese, room temperature
• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
• 4 fresh strawberries, mashed
• 1 recipe of Stabilized Whipped Cream or 1 tub of Cool Whip, divided

Preparation

Step 1

1.Set 5 whole strawberries aside for decoration. Mash 4 of them for the cream cheese mixture and then slice the remaining strawberries.
2.Prepare an 8 X 8 baking dish by spraying it with cooking spray.
3.In a medium mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter and mix until well incorporated.
4.Press into the prepared baking dish, and place into the freezer for a minimum of 30 minutes to set.
5.In a small bowl mix the 1 1/2 cups milk with the package of strawberry pudding. DO NOT use the two cups as directed on the package. We want a firmer pudding. Refrigerate until ready to use.
6.Place the cream cheese, mashed strawberries and confectioners' sugar into a mixing bowl. Cream until soft and well combined. Fold in 1 cup of the Stabilized Whipped Cream or Cool Whip and gently mix.
7.Remove the crust from the freezer and completely cover with a single layer of strawberries.
8.With an offset spatula, place dollops of the cream cheese on top of the strawberries and gently spread until completely covered.
9.Spread the pudding layer over the cream cheese.
10.Top with the remaining Stabilized Whipped Cream or Cool Whip.
11.Top with the remaining whole and sliced strawberries, and sprinkle with more graham cracker crumbs.