What the heck is this?
Think of these as the lazy genius cousin of strawberry shortcake — no oven, no fuss, no fancy ingredients. These bite-sized treats come together with just 5 simple ingredients and taste like sunshine and picnics. A crunchy, buttery cookie base, whipped topping, and juicy strawberries all stacked into poppable little bites that disappear fast. They’re perfect for parties, showers, or Tuesday night dessert cravings. And did we mention…no baking?
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
• Only 5 ingredients (yes, really)
• No-bake and done in under 20 minutes
• Great for parties or snacking straight from the fridge
• Tastes like summer in a bite
• Easy enough for kids to help make — and eat
The Good Stuff You’ll Need
• 12 shortbread cookies (like Lorna Doone or any thick, buttery kind)
• ½ cup whipped topping (Cool Whip or whipped cream)
• ½ cup diced fresh strawberries
• 2 tablespoons strawberry jam or preserves
• Optional: powdered sugar for dusting or a mint leaf for flair
Let’s Do This
- Get your base ready.
Lay out the shortbread cookies on a plate or serving tray. These are your “cake” layers — sturdy, buttery, and ready for action. - Whip up the filling.
In a small bowl, stir together the diced strawberries and strawberry jam until juicy and slightly syrupy. - Add the creamy layer.
Spoon or pipe a little whipped topping onto each cookie. Don’t go overboard — a nice dollop will do the trick. - Top with strawberries.
Spoon a bit of the strawberry mixture right on top of the whipped layer. Let it drip a little. That’s the charm. - Make it cute.
Dust with powdered sugar if you’re feeling fancy. Add a baby mint leaf on top for that “I totally planned this” look.
Serving Suggestions
• Serve chilled for the ultimate refreshing bite
• Great with a glass of cold lemonade, rosé, or iced tea
• Make it a dessert board with these, chocolate-dipped strawberries, and mini cheesecakes
Switch It Up
• Use mini vanilla wafers or graham crackers as the base
• Swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or peaches
• Drizzle with melted white chocolate if you want to go all out
• Try mascarpone or flavored whipped cream for a richer twist
Make-Ahead Tips
• You can assemble these up to 2 hours ahead — just keep them chilled
• For longer prep, keep the components separate and assemble right before serving
• Not ideal for freezing (the whipped topping won’t hold up)
Questions People Actually Ask
Q: Can I use homemade whipped cream?
A: Absolutely! Just whip heavy cream with a little sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form. It’ll be slightly richer but just as dreamy.
Q: Will the cookies get soggy?
A: Not if you eat them within a couple hours. The shortbread holds up surprisingly well, especially chilled.
Q: Can I make these dairy-free?
A: Yep! Use dairy-free whipped topping (like CocoWhip) and make sure your cookies are dairy-free. Just check those labels.
5-Ingredient Strawberry Shortcake Bites: Tiny Treats, Big Summer Energy
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 bites
Description
Think of these as the lazy genius cousin of strawberry shortcake — no oven, no fuss, no fancy ingredients. These bite-sized treats come together with just 5 simple ingredients and taste like sunshine and picnics. A crunchy, buttery cookie base, whipped topping, and juicy strawberries all stacked into poppable little bites that disappear fast. They’re perfect for parties, showers, or Tuesday night dessert cravings. And did we mention…no baking?
Ingredients
• 12 shortbread cookies (like Lorna Doone or any thick, buttery kind)
• ½ cup whipped topping (Cool Whip or whipped cream)
• ½ cup diced fresh strawberries
• 2 tablespoons strawberry jam or preserves
• Optional: powdered sugar for dusting or a mint leaf for flair
Instructions
Get your base ready.
Lay out the shortbread cookies on a plate or serving tray. These are your “cake” layers — sturdy, buttery, and ready for action.Whip up the filling.
In a small bowl, stir together the diced strawberries and strawberry jam until juicy and slightly syrupy.Add the creamy layer.
Spoon or pipe a little whipped topping onto each cookie. Don’t go overboard — a nice dollop will do the trick.Top with strawberries.
Spoon a bit of the strawberry mixture right on top of the whipped layer. Let it drip a little. That’s the charm.Make it cute.
Dust with powdered sugar if you’re feeling fancy. Add a baby mint leaf on top for that “I totally planned this” look.
Notes
• Serve chilled for the ultimate refreshing bite
• Great with a glass of cold lemonade, rosé, or iced tea
• Make it a dessert board with these, chocolate-dipped strawberries, and mini cheesecakes
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: ~110 kcal per bite
- Carbohydrates: ~12g
- Protein: ~1g