June 22, 2021

Strawberry Yum Yum (No Bake Dessert)

“Yum Yum” was one of my mom’s favorite desserts when she was growing up. Her grandmother (my great grandmother Laura, who I never met) made it often in the warmer months, and Mom said it always hit the spot after a hot day on the farm. The first time I remember Mom making Strawberry Yum Yum for us, I remember loving it immediately. Strawberry Yum Yum remains one of my favorite summer desserts, and I’m excited to share it with y’all!

Strawberry Yum Yum is a super simple summer dessert, similar to an icebox cake. It’s great for regular family dinners, and even better for dinner gatherings with friends. You can make it with just about any summer fruit; my mom likes Cherry Yum Yum the best, since I think that’s what her grandmother made most often. Strawberry is my favorite, though, so that’s what I make. You could also make blueberry, raspberry, peach, or maybe even apple. Or a combination of flavors!

Yum Yum is a really special recipe in my family, so I’m especially excited to share it with y’all for the first time!

Why You’ll Love Strawberry Yum Yum

It’s super easy to make. It’s made with really simple, easy ingredients, and no baking required! Just some mixing and chilling. With refrigeration, this dessert will be ready to serve in a few hours. It’s perfect to make in the morning—it’ll be ready to eat by dessert time!

It’s very light—perfect for summer! No one wants a heavy, dense dessert in the heat of summer. Strawberry Yum Yum is light, so it won’t weigh you down after eating a piece (or two)!

You can experiment with flavors and the filling. My great grandmother’s recipe calls for two cans of pie filling of your choice. Pre-made canned pie fillings tend to be overly sweet, so I usually use one can of filling with the equivalent amount of fresh fruit. If you can make your own pie filling, go for it. I’ve even made Yum Yum with strawberries and blueberries for July 4th!

It’s a crowd favorite. Yum Yum is perfect for a summer dinner party. There’s no way someone won’t love this dessert. Expect a cleaned out dish at the end of the night!

How to Make Strawberry Yum Yum

To make this, you will need:

Pie filling and/or fresh fruit
Cream cheese
Dream Whip
Milk
Sugar
Graham crackers
Butter
Mixing bowl
Hand mixer or stand mixer
9×13″ baking dish or pan
Rubber spatula

First, make the crust. Crush about a pack and a half of graham crackers into crumbs. Mix them with melted butter, and press the mixture into the bottom of a 9×13″ pan or dish.

Make the cream cheese filling. Whip the Dream Whip with the milk until stiff peaks form. Then add the softened cream cheese, sugar, and a pinch of salt, and mix until it’s all combined.

Layer the cream cheese mixture with pie filling (and optional fresh fruit). Spread half of the cream cheese mixture over the crust. Pour the pie filling (and fruit) over the first layer; then add the rest of the cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle with any remaining graham cracker mixture.

Refrigerate. Cover and chill the Yum Yum for at least three hours. Slice and serve cold!

That’s it! Strawberry Yum Yum—or whatever flavor you choose to make—is so easy, and makes a delicious addition to your summer menu. If you enjoy this recipe, you might also like:

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