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    Home » Recipes » Desserts

    Strawberry Charlotte Cake

    Published: May 17, 2022 · Modified: Jul 7, 2022 by Karin and Ken · This post may contain affiliate links. Leave a Comment

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    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This delicious strawberry Charlotte cake is loaded with ladyfingers, sweet cheesecake pudding, whipped cream, and sliced strawberries. It's an absolutely delicious cake that's so easy to make.

    Closeup shot of slice of strawberry Charlotte cake on plate. The cake has layers of biscuits, strawberries and white cream cheese.

    If you love sweet treats, then this is the recipe for you. I love making this Charlotte cake because it's so easy, so decadent, and such a huge hit with everyone.

    Strawberry Charlotte Cake

    This was inspired by another no-bake cheesecake recipe and my strawberry pie on this site and makes a great dessert to follow this amazing chicken thigh recipe.

    Ingredients

    This recipe only uses simple ingredients that you can easily find at your local grocery store.

    • Ladyfingers
    • Fresh strawberries
    • Cool Whip
    • Softened cream cheese
    • Heavy whipping cream
    • Cheesecake pudding
    • Powdered sugar
    • Vanilla extract
    • Strawberry jam or preserves

    See the recipe card at the end of the post for quantities.

    Instructions

    There are a few steps to this recipe, but when broken down, they're all very simple. The bulk of this recipe is really just constructing it.

    Step 1: Prep

    Line the bottom of a springform pan with parchment paper and open the ladyfingers and jam. Wash and dry the strawberries.

    Step 2: Make the Outer Ladyfinger Ring

    Using a food-grade brush or spoon, spread the jam on the rounded sides of the cookies and place them vertically along the edge of the springform pan to create the outer "crust". Place the pan in the freezer.

    Step 3: Make the Cheesecake Mixture

    Place the cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, heavy whipping cream, and pudding mix in a stand mixer and mix until light and fluffy. Then, add the Cool Whip and mix until smooth and well-blended.

    Step 4: Make the Bottom Layer of the Cake

    Remove the pan from the freezer and line the bottom of it with ladyfingers. Break them into pieces to fill in any gaps as necessary. Then, divide the cheesecake mixture in half and spread one half over the ladyfingers. Place the pan back in the freezer and the remaining cheesecake mixture in the refrigerator.

    Step 5: Make the Strawberry Mixture

    Slice up about half the strawberries and place them in a bowl with 2 or 3 heaping tablespoons of jam, then stir well to mix.

    Step 6: Finish the Cake

    Remove the pan from the freezer and add the strawberry mixture on top of the cheesecake mixture. Then, add another layer of ladyfingers and then the remaining cheesecake mixture. Place the remaining berries on top of the cheesecake mixture.

    Step 7: Chill

    Place the pan back in the freeze for an hour. Then, transfer it to the refrigerator until ready to serve. When ready, cut the cake into 2 to 3-inch pieces and serve garnished with a whole berry dipped in strawberry jam.

    Hint: I find using a food-grade brush to be the easiest way to spread the jam on the ladyfingers.

    Closeup shot of slice of strawberry Charlotte cake on plate

    Substitutions

    Don't have the correct ingredients on hand or want to change something up? Here are some helpful tips for you to change this strawberry Charlotte cake.

    • Different Pudding - If you don't have cheesecake pudding, vanilla will work. Honestly I have used chocolate and strawberry pudding before and it tasted great with the strawberries
    • Different Cookies - While it won't be authentic Charlotte cake anymore, if you don't have ladyfingers, any sort of elongated butter cookie will work as will biscotti, or margharite cookies in a pinch.
    • Cool Whip - Purchase chocolate, strawberry or french vanilla flavored
    • Whipping Cream - Use chocolate flavored or add a touch of cocoa or hot chocolate powder to your whipping cream before blending

    Variations

    Want to personalize this strawberry Charlotte cake recipe? Here are some of my tried and true tips for changing up this recipe.

    • Change the fruit - Try blueberries, raspberries, peaches, apricots with their jam in place of strawberries or a combination of fruit. We made one with three berries and triple berry jam and it was a huge success
    • Crushed Ladyfingers - Top your cake with crushed ladyfingers for more flavor and texture.

    If you love strawberry recipes like this, you may also enjoy this strawberry Jello cheesecake, strawberry cheesecake fluff or my strawberry crisp.

    Equipment

    You'll only need a few basic pieces of kitchen equipment to make this recipe.

    • Measuring cups and spoons
    • 9-inch springform pan
    • Parchment paper
    • Stand mixer
    • Mixing bowl
    • Spoon
    • Food-grade brush

    Storage

    You can store this in the refrigerator covered for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze it for up to a month.

    Tips

    This recipe is relatively simple, but I have some tips to help you make it the best it can be.

    • An even, then layer of jam is all you need for the outer ring of ladyfingers. Don't overdo it.
    • Be sure your cream cheese is fully softened to get that smooth, creamy texture.
    • Ensure that your cake is nicely chilled before serving so it stays together.
    Closeup shot of slice of strawberry Charlotte cake on plate

    FAQ

    Do you have questions about strawberry Charlotte cake? Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about this strawberry Charlotte.

    What is a strawberry Charlotte cake?

    It's a French mousse and berry cake with a layer of ladyfingers used as a base and outer ring.

    Why is it called Charlotte cake?

    This dessert got its name from Queen Charlotte, the wife of King George III.

    How long is this cake good?

    You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to a month.

    Why can you only freeze cheesecake for a month?

    After a month, the cheesecake becomes grainy.

    How do you freeze Charlotte cake?

    Wrap the leftover cake tightly in a double layer of cling wrap and then in a layer of foil.

    More Cheesecake Recipes

    Do you like cheesecake? Here are some recipes you may also like to try.

    • Berry-licious Cheesecake Fruit Salad
    • Peanut Butter Cheesecake Cups
    • Caramel Brownie Trifle with Cheesecake

    Strawberry Charlotte Cake

    Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.

    Strawberry Charlotte Cake

    This strawberry Charlotte cake is a decadent no-bake cheesecake dessert filled with flavor, not work. It's a great summertime treat.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 40 minutes mins
    Freeze Time 1 hour hr
    Total Time 1 hour hr 40 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 10
    Calories 272 kcal

    Equipment

    • 9 inch springform pan
    • Parchment paper

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 boxes Lady Finger cookies
    • 1 pound Fresh Strawberries
    • 1 tub (10-12 oz) Cool Whip or carton
    • 1 pkg (8 oz) Cream Cheese softened to room temperature
    • ⅓ cup Heavy Whipping Cream
    • 1 pkg (3.4 oz) Cheesecake flavor pudding
    • ¼ cup icing or powdered sugar
    • 1 teaspoon Vanilla
    • 1 jar (10 oz) Strawberry Jam or preserves

    Instructions
     

    • Line the bottom of the Springform pan with Parchment paper. Open the Lady Fingers, and the Strawberry Jam.
    • With a Pastry brush, or the back of a spoon, spread Jam on the rounded side of the cookies.
      Spreading jam on a lady finger cookie with the back of a spoon.
    • Place them standing up against the side of the pan. When you've lined the pan, place it in the freezer.
      Lady finger cookies placed inside a pan forming a ring.
    • In the mixing bowl of a stand mixer, place the Cream Cheese, Powdered Sugar, Vanilla, Heavy Whipping Cream, and Pudding, and mix until light and fluffy. Add the Cool Whip and mix until smooth and well blended.
    • Remove the pan from the freezer, and line the bottom of the pan, on top of the Parchment paper, with the Lady Fingers cookies, breaking them in small pieces when needed to fill in all the gaps. Divide the Cream Cheese mixture in half, and spread half of the mixture over the cookie lined bottom. Place the pan back in the freezer, and the cream cheese mixture in the refrigerator.
      Adding cream cheese mixture over the crumbled cookies layer.
    • Wash or rinse the Strawberries thoroughly in cold water. Using about half the berries, remove the stems, and slice berries. Place sliced berries in a bowl, and add two or three heaping Tablespoons of Strawberry Jam to the slices, and stir well to mix.
    • Remove the pan from the freezer and place half of the sliced berries over the cream cheese mixture.
      Placing fresh strawberry slices onto the cream cheese mixture.
    • Place another layer of the Lady Fingers cookies over the berries.
      Placing lady finger cookies over the fresh strawberry slices.
    • Add the remainder of the cream cheese mixture on top of the cookies, and place the remaining berries on top of the cream cheese mixture. Place the pan back in the freezer for 1 hour.
    • Then remove the pan and place it in the refrigerator until time to slice and serve. Serve with sliced strawberries blended with some strawberry jam on the side, or on top of the strawberry slices. Enjoy every bite!
      Closeup photo of a slice of strawberry charlotte cake served on a white plate.

    Notes

    • You can make this a day ahead if desired and keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 272kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 7gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 140mgSodium: 91mgPotassium: 145mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 454IUVitamin C: 27mgCalcium: 41mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword strawberry charlotte
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Welcome!

    We are the kitchen divas: Karin and my partner in life Ken.

    We have been attached at the heart and hip since the first day we met, and we love to create new dishes to keep things interesting. Variety is definitely the spice of life!

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