I love quick, no-bake sweets that still feel a little special — these No-Bake Strawberry Fudge Squares are creamy, bright, and come together with minimal hands-on time. If you enjoy simple treats, try my take on 4-ingredient no-bake Christmas crunch cookies for another easy dessert idea.
Why Make This Recipe
- Fast and fuss-free: no oven needed and about 20 minutes active work.
- Bright strawberry flavor without tricky cooking — freeze-dried strawberries give intense taste.
- Great for potlucks and holidays because they hold shape when chilled.
- One-pan dessert that slices into neat squares for easy portion control.
- Personal insight: I reach for this when I want a make-ahead dessert that still looks homemade and fresh.
Recipe Overview
- Prep time: 20 minutes active.
- Chill time: 2–3 hours (no cooking).
- Total time: ~3 hours (mostly chilling).
- Servings: about 16 (1.5-inch squares from an 8×8-inch pan).
- Difficulty: Easy.
- Method: Press a simple crumb crust into an 8×8 pan, make a stovetop or microwave white-chocolate strawberry fudge, pour over crust, then chill until firm.
My Experience Making This Recipe
I tested this twice using both freeze-dried strawberry powder and a strawberry jam reduction; freeze-dried powder gave a cleaner color and firmer set. The jam version tasted great but released moisture over time, so I adjusted by increasing chocolate and chilling longer.
How to Make No-Bake Strawberry Fudge Squares
You’ll press a buttery cookie crumb crust (1 1/2 cups crumbs + 6 tbsp melted butter) into an 8×8 pan lined with parchment. Heat 12 oz white chocolate chips, 14 oz sweetened condensed milk, 1/4 cup unsalted butter, and 1/2 cup freeze-dried strawberry powder gently (double boiler or microwave in 20–30 second bursts) until smooth, then pour over the crust and chill. Expect to work quickly when heating chocolate — keep temperatures under 120°F to avoid graininess and stir constantly.
Expert Tips for Success
- Use freeze-dried strawberry powder for intense flavor without extra moisture; blitz whole freeze-dried strawberries in a blender to make the powder.
- Warm chocolate slowly: use a double boiler or microwave at 50% power in 20–30 second bursts, stirring between, and stop at ~115°F.
- Line the pan with parchment overhanging two sides for easy removal and cleaner cuts.
- Press the crust firmly with the bottom of a measuring cup to avoid crumbling.
- For smooth slices, chill fully and wipe a sharp knife with hot water between cuts.
How to Serve No-Bake Strawberry Fudge Squares
- Serve chilled on a platter with mint leaves and a few fresh strawberry slices for contrast.
- Pair with lightly whipped cream or a dollop of mascarpone for a richer plate.
- These make great party finger desserts — serve on a tiered stand for visual appeal.
- Offer small labels noting “contains dairy, gluten” for potlucks.
Storage and Reheating Guide
Store tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic. You can freeze the squares layered with parchment in an airtight container for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before serving. For quickest thaw, place on the counter for 10–15 minutes once partially softened. If you want more freezing context, see these freezing tips for strawberry desserts.
Recipe Variations
- Gluten-free: swap in gluten-free graham or gluten-free oat cookie crumbs for the crust.
- Dairy-free/vegan: use dairy-free white chocolate and a full-fat coconut condensed milk substitute and check that chips are dairy-free.
- Fresh-strawberry swirl: fold 1/3 cup reduced strawberry jam into half the fudge, swirl on top, but expect a softer set.
- Chocolate-stripe: melt 2 oz dark chocolate and drizzle over the chilled top for contrast.
Nutritional Highlights
- These are indulgent treats: high in sugar and fat from white chocolate and condensed milk, so keep portions small (1–2 squares).
- Provide calcium from dairy ingredients; use fortified dairy-free options if needed.
- Allergen info: contains dairy and (unless specified) gluten; may contain soy lecithin in chocolate. Consider alternatives if you have allergies.
- For a calorie ballpark related to strawberry desserts, check this calorie guide for strawberry desserts to help portion decisions.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Fudge won’t set: likely too much liquid (from fresh strawberries) or not chilled long enough — add more white chocolate or freeze-dried powder and chill an extra 2 hours.
- Grainy or seized chocolate: heat too quickly; rescue with 1–2 tsp warm heavy cream or condensed milk and stir until smooth.
- Crust crumbles when cutting: press more firmly when forming crust or add 1–2 tsp extra melted butter; chill thoroughly before slicing.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Can I use fresh strawberries instead of freeze-dried?
Fresh strawberries add moisture and can prevent a firm set. If using fresh, cook down to a thick jam (reduce to 1/3 cup) and cool completely before folding in, or use only as a garnish to avoid weeping. -
How do I cut perfect squares?
Chill the pan completely, run a sharp knife under hot water, dry it, and make straight cuts with a single clean stroke. Wipe the knife between cuts for neat edges. -
Can I make these ahead for a party?
Yes — make up to 3 days ahead and keep refrigerated, or freeze up to 3 months and thaw overnight in the fridge. For party day, remove from fridge 15 minutes before serving for best texture. -
Is there a way to reduce sweetness?
Use high-quality white chocolate with lower sugar or cut the sweetened condensed milk slightly and replace with 2–3 tbsp heavy cream plus a little powdered sugar to taste; note this can change set and mouthfeel.
If you want another creamy, no-bake layered dessert inspiration, I often compare textures to this no-bake Oreo lasagna, and for a different strawberry crunch finish try this strawberry crunch cheesecake.
Print
No-Bake Strawberry Fudge Squares
- Total Time: 180 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Creamy and bright, these no-bake strawberry fudge squares are a quick and fuss-free dessert perfect for potlucks.
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups cookie crumbs
- 6 tablespoons melted butter
- 12 oz white chocolate chips
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup freeze-dried strawberry powder
Instructions
- Press cookie crumbs and melted butter into an 8×8 pan lined with parchment.
- In a double boiler or microwave, gently heat white chocolate chips, condensed milk, unsalted butter, and freeze-dried strawberry powder until smooth.
- Pour the fudge mixture over the crust.
- Chill for 2-3 hours until firm.
- Slice into squares and serve chilled.
Notes
For best results, use freeze-dried strawberry powder for intense flavor; avoid using fresh strawberries as they add moisture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 20mg