When the summer heat rolls around, there is absolutely nothing quite like a refreshing, chilled, no-bake dessert to cool you down. Whether you are hosting a festive 4th of July barbecue, a Memorial Day gathering, or simply a weekend pool party with friends, you need a show-stopping treat that doesn’t require turning on the oven. Enter the ultimate crowd-pleaser: the .
This vibrant red, white, and blue dessert is just as delicious as it is beautiful. Layered desserts, especially dessert lasagnas, are a massive hit at summer potlucks because they look incredibly impressive but are shockingly easy to pull together. The combination of a sweet, buttery Golden Oreo crust, a creamy blueberry cheesecake layer, tart fresh strawberries suspended in Jello, and a fluffy whipped cream topping creates a symphony of flavors and textures in every single bite.
Plus, this is a make-ahead dream! Since it needs time to set up in the fridge, you can easily prepare this stunning patriotic dessert the day before your party, leaving you completely stress-free when it’s time to entertain.
Summer Berry Jello Lasagna
Ingredients
- 36 Golden Oreo cookies entire cookie, including filling
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons red sprinkles optional
- 2 tablespoons white sprinkles optional
- 2 tablespoons blue sprinkles optional
- 6 oz Berry Blue gelatin 1 large box
- 2/3 cup boiling water for blue layer
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt cold
- 1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries
- 8 oz cream cheese softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cups whipped cream Cool Whip or homemade
- 6 oz Strawberry gelatin 1 large box
- 1 1/4 cups boiling water for strawberry layer
- 3/4 cup iced cold water
- 4 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
- 2 cups whipped cream for topping
- red, white, and blue sprinkles or star confetti for garnish
Instructions
- In a food processor, pulse the Golden Oreo cookies until they form fine crumbs. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the sprinkles. Pour in the melted butter and mix until evenly moistened.
- Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Place in the freezer to firm up while preparing the next layer.
- In a heat-proof bowl, whisk the Berry Blue gelatin with 2/3 cup boiling water until fully dissolved. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
- In a blender or food processor, blend the blueberries and cold Greek yogurt until smooth. Combine this mixture with the cooled blue gelatin.
- In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. Gently fold in 1 3/4 cups of whipped cream.
- Pour the blueberry gelatin mixture into the cream cheese mixture and stir until fully combined. Spread evenly over the chilled crust.
- Refrigerate until the layer is firm to the touch, about 1 hour.
- In another bowl, whisk the strawberry gelatin with 1 1/4 cups boiling water until dissolved. Stir in 3/4 cup iced water and let cool to room temperature (do not let it set).
- Arrange the sliced strawberries evenly over the firm blueberry layer.
- Gently pour the cooled strawberry gelatin over the strawberries.
- Refrigerate for at least 4-6 hours, or overnight, until fully set.
- Before serving, spread the remaining whipped cream over the top and garnish with sprinkles. Slice and serve.
Notes
Why You Will Love This Layered Jello Dessert
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No-Bake Magic: You do not need to preheat the oven or heat up your kitchen. Everything comes together in mixing bowls and sets beautifully in the refrigerator.
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Perfectly Patriotic: With its distinct red, white, and blue layers, this is the definitive 4th of July dessert. It practically screams summer celebration!
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Make-Ahead Friendly: Dessert lasagnas actually taste better when they have had time to chill overnight. This makes your party prep a breeze.
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Feeds a Crowd: Made in a standard 9×13-inch baking dish, this recipe yields plenty of slices to satisfy a house full of hungry guests.
Anatomy of the Perfect Summer Berry Jello Lasagna
To get those distinct, beautiful layers, we are going to build this dessert in four simple stages. Here is a quick breakdown of the ingredients you will need for each layer:
1. The Festive Golden Oreo Crust
Instead of a traditional graham cracker crust, we are using whole Golden Oreo cookies (filling included!) to create a sweeter, richer base.
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Golden Oreos: You’ll need about 36 cookies to get a nice, thick crust.
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Melted Butter: Unsalted butter binds the cookie crumbs together.
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Sprinkles: We mix red, white, and blue sprinkles right into the crust for a fun, festive surprise at the bottom of the dish!
2. The Creamy Blueberry Cheesecake Layer
This is where the magic happens. We combine the tangy flavor of cheesecake with the refreshing taste of fresh blueberries.
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Berry Blue Gelatin: Make sure you grab the large 6 oz box! This gives the layer its structure and sweet berry flavor.
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Fresh Blueberries & Greek Yogurt: Blending cold Greek yogurt with fresh blueberries adds a natural, fruity tartness. (Pro Tip: If your blended mixture looks purple, don’t panic! Once you mix it with the blue Jello and cream cheese, it will turn a beautiful light blue).
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Cream Cheese & Powdered Sugar: For that classic, tangy cheesecake profile.
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Whipped Cream: Cool Whip or homemade whipped cream folds in perfectly to make the layer light and airy.
3. The Fresh Strawberry Jello Layer
The crowning jewel of this no-bake dessert lasagna is the bright red top layer.
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Strawberry Gelatin: Again, use a large 6 oz box.
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Fresh Strawberries: You will need 4 cups of sliced fresh strawberries. Make sure to choose firm berries so they don’t become mushy while sitting in the fridge.
4. The Whipped Topping
No dessert lasagna is complete without a fluffy cloud of whipped cream on top! Garnish with more patriotic sprinkles, star confetti, or extra fresh berries to finish off the look.
Expert Tips for Layered Dessert Success
While this recipe is incredibly straightforward, there are a few tips to ensure your Summer Berry Jello Lasagna turns out flawless every single time.
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Do Not Rush the Chilling Process: The secret to clean, distinct layers is patience. You must let the crust firm up, and you must let the blueberry layer set completely before pouring the strawberry layer on top. If the bottom layer isn’t firm, the warm strawberry Jello will melt it, and your colors will bleed.
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Use Room Temperature Cream Cheese: To avoid lumps in your blueberry cheesecake layer, ensure your cream cheese is completely softened to room temperature before beating it with the powdered sugar.
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Cool the Jello: When making both the blueberry and strawberry Jello mixtures, you must let them cool down to room temperature before pouring. Pouring boiling hot liquid over a delicate cream cheese layer will cause it to separate.
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Slice Like a Pro: When it is time to serve your masterpiece, use a sharp knife and wipe the blade clean with a damp paper towel between every single slice. This ensures your red, white, and blue layers look pristine on the plate!
Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions
To Make Ahead: We highly recommend making this dessert a full 24 hours in advance. It takes at least 4 to 6 hours for the final Jello layer to completely set, but leaving it overnight in the fridge yields the absolute best texture.
To Store: Keep any leftover Summer Berry Jello Lasagna tightly covered with plastic wrap or aluminum foil in the refrigerator. Because it contains fresh strawberries and dairy, it will stay fresh for up to 3 to 4 days. Freezing is not recommended, as the Jello and fresh strawberries will change texture and weep moisture when thawed.
Ready to make the star of your next summer barbecue? Grab your 9×13 dish and let’s get layering!