Creamy Strawberry Dessert Squares

Strawberry dessert squares with a cream cheese layer and sugar cookie crust are a creamy and colorful dessert for any occasion.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 20 mins
• Total Time: 35 mins
• Calories: 253 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping
• cooking spray
• 1 (17.5 ounce) pouch sugar cookie mix
• 1 dash red food coloring, or desired amount
• 4 cups sliced fresh strawberries, divided
• 0.5 cup butter, softened
• 0.33333334326744 cup white sugar
• 0.33333334326744 cup water

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray the inside bottom of a jelly roll pan with cooking spray.

Step 2

Mix sugar cookie mix, butter, and egg together in a large bowl until a soft dough forms; press evenly into prepared pan.

Step 3

Bake in the preheated oven until crust is light golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.

Step 4

Beat cream cheese using an electric mixer on medium speed in a bowl until smooth. Add whipped topping and stir until smooth; spread over crust. Refrigerate.

Step 5

Mix sugar and cornstarch together in a 2-quart saucepan; add 1 cup strawberries, water, and vanilla extract. Cook and stir strawberry mixture, mashing strawberries with spoon while cooking, over medium heat until strawberries are softened and mixture is thickened, 10 to 15 minutes.

Step 6

Stir food coloring into strawberry mixture and remove from heat; cool for 10 minutes. Gently stir remaining 3 cups strawberries into strawberry mixture; spoon over cream cheese filling. Refrigerate until set, about 1 hour. Serve within 4 hours.