Some desserts require planning.
This is not one of them.

This No-Bake Strawberry Chocolate Dessert is layered, creamy, a little nostalgic, and exactly what you make when you want something that looks like effort… without actually doing the most.

Strawberries, vanilla wafers, and chocolate pudding—simple ingredients that somehow turn into a full situation once you stack them together and let them chill.

Why This Works

No baking required (we’re keeping it simple)
Layers that actually come together without overthinking it
Sweet, creamy, and just enough chocolate
Easy to make ahead
The kind of dessert people keep going back for

No Bake Strawberry Chocolate dessert on a brown tray on the counter.

Prep Time: 15 min
Chill Time: 2 hrs+
Total Time: 2 hrs and 15 mins
Servings: 12

Ingredients:

2 pints of strawberries
5.9 oz instant chocolate pudding
3 cups of milk
8 oz of Cool Whip (thawed)
11 oz box of Nilla wafer cookies
2-4 Tbsp of dark chocolate sauce

Nilla wafer cookies, Cool Whip, bananas, milk, instant chocolate pudding, dark chocolate sauce in a white baking trayon a brown tray on the counter.

Get the full printable instructions with measurements at the bottom of the post in the recipe card.

Step 1: Place instant pudding and milk in a large mixing bowl. Use an electric hand mixer to combine them for 2 minutes or until the instant pudding is set.

Step 2: Fold half of the Cool Whip into the pudding mixture.

Cool Whip is poured into the chocolate instant pudding in a large mixing bowl on the counter.

A wooden spoon mixing Cool Whip and chocolate pudding in a large mixing bowl on the counter.

Step 3: Line a 9×13 baking dish with vanilla wafer cookies. Slice strawberries and layer over vanilla wafer cookies.

Sliced strawberries on a white plate beside vanilla wafers in a white baking dish on the counter.

Sliced strawberries on top of vanilla wafers in a white baking dish on the counter.

Step 5: Spread a layer of Cool Whip and chocolate pudding mixture over the strawberries. Use half of the mixture for the first layer, then apply the remaining half for the second layer.

topping chocolate pudding and cool whip mixture on top of strawberries and vanilla wafer cookies in a white baking dish on the counter.

Step 6: Add another layer (or two) depending on your dish size. Top with the remaining Cool Whip.

Vanilla wafer cookies layered on top of chocolate pudding and cool whip mixture in a white baking tray on the counter.

Layers of chocolate pudding, vanilla wafer cookies, and sliced strawberries, topped with dark chocolate sauce in a white baking tray on the counter.

Chocolate pudding in a white baking tray on the counter.

Step 8: Garnish with small, crushed strawberry pieces, crushed vanilla wafer cookies, and a drizzle of dark chocolate sauce on top. Chill in the refrigerator for 2-24 hours for flavors to come together.

No baked strawberry chocolate dessert is on the counter in a white baking dish.

Easy Variations

Add a drizzle of chocolate on top before serving

Swap chocolate pudding for vanilla for a lighter version

Add a layer of cream cheese filling for extra richness

Use graham crackers instead of wafers if that’s what you’ve got

More Easy Desserts to Try

If you’re into simple, no-fuss desserts:

Your Red White & Blue Oreo Bites (same no-bake energy)
Your Pineapple Delight Cake (classic, always a hit)
Your Bisquick Bundt Cake for something cozy

No Bake Strawberry Chocolate Dessert

This yummy pudding dessert combines the best of both worlds with a fun mix of fresh, sweet strawberries and smooth, rich chocolate pudding

Tara

2 15

Total Time 2 15

Servings

Equipment

9×13 baking dish

Ingredients

2 pints strawberries
5.9 oz instant chocolate pudding
3 cups milk
8 oz Cool Whip
5.5 oz Nilla wafer cookies (approximately ½ of an 11oz box)
2-4 Tbsp chocolate sauce

Instructions

Place instant pudding and milk in a large mixing bowl. Use an electric hand mixer and combine for 2 minutes or until the instant pudding is set.
Fold half of the Cool Whip into the pudding mixture.
Line a 9×13 baking dish with vanilla wafer cookies.
Slice strawberries and layer over vanilla wafer cookies.
Spread a layer of Cool Whip and the chocolate pudding mixture over the strawberries. Use half of the mixture for the first layer, then apply the remaining half for the second layer.
Add another layer (or two) depending on your dish size. Top with the remaining Cool Whip.
Garnish with crushed small cut pieces of strawberries, crushed vanilla wafer cookies, and drizzled dark chocolate sauce on top. Chill in the refrigerator for 2-24 hours for flavors to come together.