If you have been dreaming of a refreshing, sweet treat that comes together quickly without turning on the oven, you are going to adore this Strawberry Shortcake No Bake Balls Recipe. These little delights capture all the charm of a classic strawberry shortcake in bite-sized, no-bake form. The creamy strawberry filling is perfectly balanced by a crisp, crumbly coating, making each ball an irresistible burst of summer flavor that will delight both your eyes and palate.

Strawberry Shortcake No Bake Balls Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this recipe plays a key role in creating the perfect harmony of creamy texture, sweet strawberry essence, and buttery crunch. The simplicity of these essentials makes this recipe accessible for every home cook, while their quality ensures every bite is packed with flavor.

Cream cheese: Softened to a smooth consistency, it forms the rich, creamy base of the filling.
Powdered sugar: Provides the perfect sweetness without any graininess, keeping the filling smooth.
Freeze-dried strawberries: Crushed into a fine powder, these bring an intense natural strawberry flavor and a beautiful pink color to both the filling and coating.
Vanilla extract: A touch of vanilla enhances the strawberry’s natural sweetness and rounds out the flavor profile.
Heavy cream: Adds lightness and softness, ensuring your filling is silky and easy to shape.
Graham cracker crumbs: The golden crumbs offer a buttery crunch that perfectly contrasts the creamy filling in the coating.

How to Make Strawberry Shortcake No Bake Balls Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Strawberry Cream Filling

Start by beating the softened cream cheese with the powdered sugar until your mixture is smooth and fluffy—that creamy texture is crucial for the perfect bite. Next, stir in the crushed freeze-dried strawberries and vanilla extract to infuse the mixture with that unmistakable strawberry shortcake flavor and lovely pink hue. Folding in the heavy cream will loosen the filling just enough to make it silky and easy to roll into balls. Cover and chill the mixture in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to let it firm up.

Step 2: Mix the Coating

In a shallow dish, combine the graham cracker crumbs with crushed freeze-dried strawberries. This mixture gives the coating its signature crunch and the delightful speckles of strawberry color that make the balls almost too pretty to eat. Stir well for an even distribution of flavor and color.

Step 3: Roll the Balls

Once your filling is firm and chilled, scoop out roughly one tablespoon at a time and roll into smooth, round balls. If the filling feels a little sticky on your hands, lightly grease them with some oil or butter — this little trick makes the rolling process a breeze. You should end up with about 12 to 15 perfectly shaped strawberry shortcake no bake balls.

Step 4: Coat and Chill

Roll each ball in your graham cracker and strawberry coating, gently pressing the crumbs to ensure they stick evenly. Arrange the coated balls on a tray or plate and pop them back into the refrigerator for another 20 minutes. This step helps everything set beautifully before you serve.

How to Serve Strawberry Shortcake No Bake Balls Recipe

Garnishes

These strawberry shortcake no bake balls shine on their own but garnishing with a few fresh strawberry slices or a light dusting of powdered sugar can elevate their presentation. A sprig of fresh mint adds a pop of green and a refreshing aroma, making each bite feel like a little celebration.

Side Dishes

Pair these delightful balls with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream to enhance the creamy, sweet experience. For a savory contrast, a glass of crisp, dry white wine or a fresh summer salad can balance the flavors beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

Think beyond the plate and serve your strawberry shortcake no bake balls on pretty mini dessert spoons or in individual cupcake liners for a charming party snack. You could even thread a few onto decorative cocktail picks for an easy-to-eat finger food at gatherings or afternoon teas.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to have any leftovers, simply store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh and delicious for up to 3 days, making them perfect for a quick treat any time you need a sweet boost.

Freezing

These no bake balls freeze wonderfully! Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm, then transfer to a sealed freezer-safe container. Frozen strawberry shortcake balls will keep for up to 1 month. Just thaw them in the refrigerator before serving for the best texture and flavor.

Reheating

Since these treats are no bake and best enjoyed chilled, reheating is not recommended. Simply enjoy them cold right out of the fridge or slightly softened for a melt-in-your-mouth effect.

FAQs

Can I substitute the freeze-dried strawberries with fresh strawberries?

Fresh strawberries have a lot of moisture, which would change the texture of the filling and coating. Freeze-dried strawberries keep the mixture dry enough to form balls and give concentrated strawberry flavor. If you want to use fresh strawberries, try drying them first or use them as a garnish.

Is it possible to make this recipe dairy-free?

You could experiment with dairy-free cream cheese and coconut cream in place of heavy cream. The texture might alter slightly, but the flavor will still be delightful, keeping the essence of the strawberry shortcake no bake balls.

How long do the Strawberry Shortcake No Bake Balls last in the fridge?

Stored properly in an airtight container, the balls will remain fresh for up to 3 days. Beyond that, the texture and flavor may start to diminish, so it’s best to enjoy them sooner rather than later.

Can these balls be made larger or smaller?

Absolutely! The size can be tailored to your preference. Just remember that smaller balls will chill faster and are perfect for bite-sized snacks, while larger ones make a more substantial dessert portion.

What can I use if I don’t have graham crackers for the coating?

Crushed digestive biscuits or vanilla wafers are excellent substitutes and will still give you that buttery crunch that complements the creamy filling wonderfully.

Final Thoughts

Once you try the Strawberry Shortcake No Bake Balls Recipe, you’ll have a new favorite go-to treat for when you want something sweet, creamy, and easy without heating up your kitchen. With its delightful combination of creamy filling and crunchy coating, these little balls are both nostalgic and fresh. They’re perfect for sharing with friends, bringing joy to parties, or simply treating yourself to a homemade dessert any day of the week—give this recipe a try and watch it become a beloved classic in your dessert repertoire!

Strawberry Shortcake No Bake Balls Recipe

★★★★★

5.1 from 25 reviews

Author: Zoe
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 12–15 balls 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Delight in these no-bake Strawberry Shortcake Balls, a luscious treat combining creamy strawberry-infused cream cheese filling rolled in a sweet graham cracker and freeze-dried strawberry coating. Perfect for summer gatherings or an easy dessert fix, these bite-sized delights are simple to make and packed with classic strawberry shortcake flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Filling

8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup freeze-dried strawberries, crushed into a fine powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons heavy cream

Coating

1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup freeze-dried strawberries, crushed

Instructions

Prepare the Strawberry Cream Filling: In a medium-sized bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar together until the mixture is smooth and fluffy. Add the crushed freeze-dried strawberries and vanilla extract, then mix until evenly combined and pink in color. Fold in the heavy cream until the filling is smooth and slightly loosened. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up the mixture.
Prepare the Coating: In a shallow dish, combine the graham cracker crumbs and crushed freeze-dried strawberries. Stir until the mixture is evenly combined with golden crumbs and pink strawberry flecks.
Roll the Balls: Once the filling has chilled, scoop out approximately one tablespoon of the mixture at a time and roll it into smooth, round balls with your hands. If the filling feels too sticky, lightly grease your hands with a small amount of oil or butter. Repeat until all the filling has been used, forming about 12-15 balls.
Coat the Balls: Roll each ball in the graham cracker and strawberry coating, gently pressing the crumbs to ensure they adhere evenly. Place the coated balls on a tray or plate and refrigerate for an additional 20 minutes to set before serving.

Notes

If the cream cheese isn’t soft enough, microwave it for 10-15 seconds to make beating easier.
You can substitute freeze-dried strawberries with fresh strawberries for the filling but it will add moisture and may require more chilling time.
Store the balls covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days for best freshness.
Lightly greasing your hands when rolling helps prevent the filling from sticking.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: No Bake
Cuisine: American