Brenda Gantt’s Strawberry Delight with Pecan Crust

If you want to make Brenda Gantt strawberry delight with pecan crust at home, you are on the right page. We are sharing the strawberry delight with pecan crust recipe by Brenda Gantt, ingredients, and step by step instructions, hope you will like the strawberry delight pie. It’s easy, no-bake, and delicious!

This luscious dessert features layers of sweetened cream cheese, strawberry pie filling, and fluffy cool whip, all topped with fresh strawberries. But what really sets it apart is the crunchy pecan pie crust on the bottom.

Brenda Gantt is known for her down-home Southern recipes that are full of comfort and nostalgia. She shares the story behind this Strawberry Delight recipe and her special way of putting it together in her popular online cooking videos. Her easy pecan pie crust with butter and chopped pecans is the perfect complement to the creamy layers. Let’s take a look at how to make this amazing Strawberry Delight at home, just like Brenda! We previously shared Brenda Gantt’s Blackberry Cobbler recipe.

How to Make Brenda Gantt’s Strawberry Delight with Pecan Crust

The crust is made with chopped pecans, butter, and flour. Baking it gives you a nice, crunchy base with nutty undertones. You gotta use those Priesters pecan pieces like I do to really get the texture right. The pecan oil makes them extra flavorful.

For the filling, we mix cream cheese, sugar, and whipped topping until creamy and smooth. I like to use an extra half container of whipped topping to really make it rich. Then we spread it over the cooled pecan crust.

Finally, top it with freshly sliced strawberries and extra whipped topping. I always try to arrange the berries so everyone gets some in their slice. Aren’t they just gorgeous? That bright red just looks so pretty against the white cream.

The best part is making this dessert ahead of time. Just keep it refrigerated to let the flavors meld. The pecans soften a bit but still keep a nice crunch when you dig your fork in. It’s cool and refreshing on a hot summer day.

I love bringing this strawberry delight over to Hannah’s house. She’ll cook up a big spaghetti dinner and I provide the sweet treat afterward. My grandkids always want to lick the beaters when I make the filling! Gotta let them have that little treat.

This recipe serves a crowd, so it’s perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, church functions, etc. If you’ve got company coming over, make your dessert ahead of time so you don’t have to fuss at the last minute. I guarantee your guests will be asking for seconds.

The great thing about this recipe is you can switch up the fruit depending on what’s in season. I’ve made it with blueberries, peaches, and cherries too. You could even do a combo! Play around and make it your own.

Okay, let’s get to baking! Grab your apron and let me walk you through how to put together this crowd-pleasing dessert…

Ingredients for Brenda Gantt’s Strawberry Delight with Pecan Crust

For the Crust:

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1 stick butter, melted

For the Filling:

• 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 (12-ounce) container whipped topping, divided
• 2 (21-ounce) cans strawberry pie filling

For the Topping:

• Fresh strawberries, sliced
• Remaining whipped topping
• Chopped pecans

Step-by-Step No Bake Brenda Gantt’s Strawberry Delight with Pecan Crust

Step 1) Make the Crust:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13 baking dish with butter.
2. In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, chopped pecans, and melted butter until well combined. The mixture will be crumbly.
3. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Bake for 15-20 minutes until set and lightly browned.
4. Allow crust to cool completely before adding filling.

Step 2) Make the Filling:

1. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese with a hand mixer until smooth and creamy. Gradually beat in the sugar.
2. Fold in 1 container of the whipped topping until fully incorporated.
3. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the cooled pecan crust.
4. Top with the strawberry pie filling, spreading it in an even layer.

Step 3) Add the Topping:

1. Arrange the sliced strawberries over the pie filling.
2. Pipe or spread the remaining whipped topping all over the top.
3. Sprinkle chopped pecans over the top for garnish.
4. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving to allow flavors to blend.

And that’s it, y’all! This impressive dessert came together in just a few simple steps. Now go on and get to baking up some summertime deliciousness.

Ingredient substitutes for Brenda Gantt’s Strawberry Delight recipe:

Instead of pecans, you can use walnuts or almonds.

Instead of heavy cream, you can use whipped topping or coconut cream.

Instead of strawberry gelatin, you can use raspberry or cherry gelatin.

Variation ideas for Brenda Gantt’s Strawberry Delight:

Add a layer of sliced bananas or kiwi to the crust before adding the strawberry mixture.

Use a graham cracker crust instead of a pecan crust.

Top the whipped cream with chocolate shavings or chopped nuts.