Description
This refreshing Summer Berry Lasagna features layers of creamy mascarpone and cream cheese filling combined with a medley of fresh berries on a buttery graham cracker crust. It’s a no-bake, chilled dessert perfect for warm weather gatherings, offering a light and fruity twist on traditional lasagna.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 16 oz mascarpone cheese, room temperature
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp almond extract
Berry Mixture
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1 cup fresh raspberries
- ½ cup fresh blackberries
- â…“ cup granulated sugar
- 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp cornstarch
Crust
- 18–20 honey graham crackers (approximately 2 sleeves)
- ¼ cup melted butter
Instructions
- Prepare the Berry Mixture: In a large bowl, toss the sliced strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries with granulated sugar, fresh lemon juice, and cornstarch. Let this mixture sit for about 15 minutes, allowing the juices to release and thicken slightly.
- Create the Cheese Mixture: In a separate bowl, beat together mascarpone cheese and softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and almond extract, mixing until fully combined and smooth.
- Whip the Cream: In another bowl, whip the heavy whipping cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold this whipped cream into the mascarpone and cream cheese mixture in three additions, ensuring the mixture stays light and airy.
- Make the Crust: Crush the honey graham crackers into fine crumbs either by hand or using a food processor. Combine the crumbs with the melted butter until the texture resembles wet sand. Press this crumb mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9×13-inch dish to form the crust. Refrigerate the crust to chill and set while preparing the remaining layers.
- Assemble the Berry Lasagna: Spread half of the creamy cheese mixture evenly over the chilled graham cracker crust. Spoon half of the berry mixture along with its juices over the cream layer. Repeat with the remaining cream mixture and berry mixture, creating two beautiful layers.
- Chill to Set: Refrigerate the assembled berry lasagna for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the layers to set and flavors to meld together before serving.
Notes
- For best results, use fresh, ripe berries for optimal flavor and texture.
- This dessert is best served chilled and can be prepared a day in advance.
- Graham cracker crust can be substituted with digestive biscuits if desired.
- Ensure cream cheese and mascarpone are at room temperature before mixing to achieve a smooth filling.
- Gentle folding of whipped cream maintains a light and fluffy texture in the filling.
