Strawberry Shortcake Cups No Bake Delightful Treat

September 2, 2025 by Emma

If you crave a sweet treat without turning on the oven, you’re in luck! My no-bake Strawberry Shortcake Cups are the perfect dessert for hot days or busy weekends. With fresh strawberries, a smooth cream mixture, and crunchy mini graham cracker cups, this dessert is a delight. Stick around to learn how to whip up these easy cups, along with my best tips for storage and tasty variations!

Ingredients

Fresh Strawberries

You will need 2 cups of fresh strawberries. Start by hulling them and slicing them. This step is key. The strawberries bring flavor and sweetness to your cups. Adding 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar will help draw out their juices. Let them sit for about 10 minutes. This waiting time allows the strawberries to get nice and juicy.

Cream Mixture

For the cream, gather 1 cup of heavy whipping cream. This cream makes your dessert rich and fluffy. Add 1/2 cup of powdered sugar to sweeten it. A teaspoon of vanilla extract adds a lovely flavor. Use a hand mixer to whip the cream until soft peaks form. This will take just a few minutes.

Mini Graham Cracker Cups

You will need 8 to 10 mini graham cracker cups. These cups give your dessert a nice crunch. They also hold all the tasty filling well. You can find them at most grocery stores or make your own if you’d like.

Optional Garnishes

For a fresh touch, consider adding some optional garnishes. A few sliced strawberries on top can enhance the look. You can also add fresh mint leaves. They add color and a hint of freshness to your cups. These little details make your dessert stand out.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparing the Strawberry Mixture

First, grab a medium bowl. Add 2 cups of fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar over the berries. Gently toss the berries and sugar together. Let this sit for about 10 minutes. This step lets the strawberries release their sweet juices. You will see a lovely syrup forming.

Whipping the Cream

Next, take another bowl and pour in 1 cup of heavy whipping cream. Add in 1/2 cup of powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer to whip the cream. Mix until you see soft peaks forming. This should take just a few minutes. Be careful not to over-whip; we want it soft and fluffy.

Assembling the Cups

Now, it’s time to combine the two mixtures. Carefully fold the strawberry mixture into the whipped cream. Try to keep some strawberry pieces whole for texture. Once mixed, take your mini graham cracker cups. Fill each one generously with the strawberry and cream mixture.

Optional Toppings

For a nice touch, top each cup with a few sliced strawberries. You can also add a fresh mint leaf for color and flavor. This makes the cups look even more delightful. If you want to serve them later, refrigerate for up to 1 hour. Enjoy your no-bake strawberry shortcake cups!

Tips & Tricks

Choosing the Best Strawberries

When picking strawberries, look for bright red ones. They should feel firm and have a fresh scent. Avoid any with dark spots or mold. Fresh strawberries make your dessert taste better. You can also try local farms for the best flavor. The juiciness of ripe strawberries makes each bite delightful.

Tips for Perfectly Whipped Cream

Use cold heavy whipping cream for the best results. Chill your mixing bowl for a few minutes before whipping. Start mixing at a low speed and gradually increase. Watch for soft peaks to form, which means you are close. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract early in the process. This adds sweetness and flavor to your cream. Be careful not to overwhip, as it can turn into butter.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your strawberry shortcake cups right away for the best taste. If you want, chill them for an hour before serving. This makes them cool and refreshing. Top with extra strawberries and mint leaves for a pretty look. You can also use a drizzle of chocolate or caramel for added flavor. Sharing these cups makes them even more fun and tasty!

Variations

Alternate Fruit Options

You can switch up the fruit in these cups. Berries like blueberries and raspberries work great. Peaches and mangoes also add a nice sweetness. Just slice or chop the fruit and mix it with sugar. Let it sit to get juicy. You will have a fresh twist on the classic treat!

Different Cup Bases

While graham cracker cups are tasty, you can try other bases. Use vanilla wafers or sugar cookies for a different flavor. For a gluten-free option, use almond flour cups. You can even layer this mix in small bowls or jars. Get creative with how you serve it!

Flavor Variations for the Cream

The cream can be more than just vanilla. Add lemon zest for a citrus kick. Try a splash of almond extract for a nutty flavor. You can mix in cocoa powder for a chocolate twist. Each variation brings a new taste to enjoy in your cups!

Storage Info

How to Store Leftovers

If you have leftover strawberry shortcake cups, store them in the fridge. Use an airtight container to keep them fresh. Make sure to eat leftovers within two days for the best taste.

Best Practices for Freshness

To maintain freshness, avoid stacking the cups. This keeps the whipped cream from getting squished. If possible, store the strawberries and cream mixture separately. This way, they stay crisp and creamy longer.

Freezing Options

You can freeze the whipped cream and strawberry mixture if needed. Just place it in a freezer-safe container. Keep in mind that the graham cracker cups do not freeze well. When ready to enjoy, thaw in the fridge overnight. Then, fill fresh graham cracker cups just before serving.

FAQs

Can I make these in advance?

Yes, you can prepare the strawberry mixture and the cream ahead of time. Just keep them separate. Assemble the cups right before serving for the best taste and texture. If you need to store them, wait until the last minute to fill the cups. This keeps the graham crackers from getting soggy.

Is there a way to make this recipe dairy-free?

Absolutely! You can use coconut cream instead of heavy whipping cream. Just chill a can of coconut milk overnight. Scoop out the cream and whip it like you would regular cream. For powdered sugar, make sure it’s dairy-free. This way, you still get that fluffy texture without dairy.

What can I use instead of graham cracker cups?

If you don’t have graham cracker cups, try using mini tart shells or cookie cups. You can also make your own by baking a simple shortbread dough. Just press it into mini muffin tins and bake until golden.

How do I prevent the strawberries from getting mushy?

To keep strawberries firm, toss them with sugar and let them sit for just 10 minutes. This draws out some juice but retains their structure. You can also choose firmer strawberries that are still ripe. Avoid over-mixing them with the cream, so they stay intact in the cups.

This blog post shared a fun recipe for strawberry cream cups. We covered ingredients like fresh strawberries, a creamy mixture, and mini graham cracker cups. You learned easy steps to prepare and whip the mixture, assemble the cups, and add toppings. I also shared tips for selecting fruit and storing leftovers.

You can customize this treat with different fruits or flavors. Enjoy making these cups with friends and family!

$You will need 2 cups of fresh strawberries. Start by hulling them and slicing them. This step is key. The strawberries bring flavor and sweetness to your cups. Adding 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar will help draw out their juices. Let them sit for about 10 minutes. This waiting time allows the strawberries to get nice and juicy. For the cream, gather 1 cup of heavy whipping cream. This cream makes your dessert rich and fluffy. Add 1/2 cup of powdered sugar to sweeten it. A teaspoon of vanilla extract adds a lovely flavor. Use a hand mixer to whip the cream until soft peaks form. This will take just a few minutes. You will need 8 to 10 mini graham cracker cups. These cups give your dessert a nice crunch. They also hold all the tasty filling well. You can find them at most grocery stores or make your own if you'd like. For a fresh touch, consider adding some optional garnishes. A few sliced strawberries on top can enhance the look. You can also add fresh mint leaves. They add color and a hint of freshness to your cups. These little details make your dessert stand out. First, grab a medium bowl. Add 2 cups of fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar over the berries. Gently toss the berries and sugar together. Let this sit for about 10 minutes. This step lets the strawberries release their sweet juices. You will see a lovely syrup forming. Next, take another bowl and pour in 1 cup of heavy whipping cream. Add in 1/2 cup of powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer to whip the cream. Mix until you see soft peaks forming. This should take just a few minutes. Be careful not to over-whip; we want it soft and fluffy. Now, it’s time to combine the two mixtures. Carefully fold the strawberry mixture into the whipped cream. Try to keep some strawberry pieces whole for texture. Once mixed, take your mini graham cracker cups. Fill each one generously with the strawberry and cream mixture. For a nice touch, top each cup with a few sliced strawberries. You can also add a fresh mint leaf for color and flavor. This makes the cups look even more delightful. If you want to serve them later, refrigerate for up to 1 hour. Enjoy your no-bake strawberry shortcake cups! When picking strawberries, look for bright red ones. They should feel firm and have a fresh scent. Avoid any with dark spots or mold. Fresh strawberries make your dessert taste better. You can also try local farms for the best flavor. The juiciness of ripe strawberries makes each bite delightful. Use cold heavy whipping cream for the best results. Chill your mixing bowl for a few minutes before whipping. Start mixing at a low speed and gradually increase. Watch for soft peaks to form, which means you are close. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract early in the process. This adds sweetness and flavor to your cream. Be careful not to overwhip, as it can turn into butter. Serve your strawberry shortcake cups right away for the best taste. If you want, chill them for an hour before serving. This makes them cool and refreshing. Top with extra strawberries and mint leaves for a pretty look. You can also use a drizzle of chocolate or caramel for added flavor. Sharing these cups makes them even more fun and tasty! {{image_2}} You can switch up the fruit in these cups. Berries like blueberries and raspberries work great. Peaches and mangoes also add a nice sweetness. Just slice or chop the fruit and mix it with sugar. Let it sit to get juicy. You will have a fresh twist on the classic treat! While graham cracker cups are tasty, you can try other bases. Use vanilla wafers or sugar cookies for a different flavor. For a gluten-free option, use almond flour cups. You can even layer this mix in small bowls or jars. Get creative with how you serve it! The cream can be more than just vanilla. Add lemon zest for a citrus kick. Try a splash of almond extract for a nutty flavor. You can mix in cocoa powder for a chocolate twist. Each variation brings a new taste to enjoy in your cups! If you have leftover strawberry shortcake cups, store them in the fridge. Use an airtight container to keep them fresh. Make sure to eat leftovers within two days for the best taste. To maintain freshness, avoid stacking the cups. This keeps the whipped cream from getting squished. If possible, store the strawberries and cream mixture separately. This way, they stay crisp and creamy longer. You can freeze the whipped cream and strawberry mixture if needed. Just place it in a freezer-safe container. Keep in mind that the graham cracker cups do not freeze well. When ready to enjoy, thaw in the fridge overnight. Then, fill fresh graham cracker cups just before serving. Yes, you can prepare the strawberry mixture and the cream ahead of time. Just keep them separate. Assemble the cups right before serving for the best taste and texture. If you need to store them, wait until the last minute to fill the cups. This keeps the graham crackers from getting soggy. Absolutely! You can use coconut cream instead of heavy whipping cream. Just chill a can of coconut milk overnight. Scoop out the cream and whip it like you would regular cream. For powdered sugar, make sure it’s dairy-free. This way, you still get that fluffy texture without dairy. If you don’t have graham cracker cups, try using mini tart shells or cookie cups. You can also make your own by baking a simple shortbread dough. Just press it into mini muffin tins and bake until golden. To keep strawberries firm, toss them with sugar and let them sit for just 10 minutes. This draws out some juice but retains their structure. You can also choose firmer strawberries that are still ripe. Avoid over-mixing them with the cream, so they stay intact in the cups. This blog post shared a fun recipe for strawberry cream cups. We covered ingredients like fresh strawberries, a creamy mixture, and mini graham cracker cups. You learned easy steps to prepare and whip the mixture, assemble the cups, and add toppings. I also shared tips for selecting fruit and storing leftovers. You can customize this treat with different fruits or flavors. Enjoy making these cups with friends and family!$