Gail'S French Strawberry Pudding
A luscious layered strawberry pudding with vanilla wafers, cream cheese, and chopped pecans, perfect for parties or family gatherings with a sweet, nutty flavor profile.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Crush vanilla wafers into fine crumbs.
- Put half the wafer crumbs in the bottom of a 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan.
- Whip margarine, powdered sugar, vanilla flavoring, and cream cheese together until light and creamy.
- Spread the cream mixture over the wafer crumb layer.
- Spread frozen sweet strawberries over the cream mixture.
- Mix chopped pecans with remaining wafer crumbs.
- Sprinkle the pecan and wafer mixture over the strawberries.
- Chill overnight before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor, consider using fresh strawberries when in season instead of frozen. If cream cheese is too rich for your taste, you can substitute it with Greek yogurt for a lighter version. Make sure to crush the vanilla wafers finely for a better texture. If you're looking for a nut-free option, simply omit the pecans or replace them with crushed graham crackers.
Serving Suggestions
This pudding is a delightful dessert on its own, but you can elevate it by serving with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It pairs beautifully with Southern Style Coffee Supreme for a sweet ending to a meal. Consider adding fresh mint leaves as a garnish for a pop of color and freshness.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It’s best enjoyed cold, so there’s no need to reheat it. If you want to serve it later, let it chill for a few hours to regain its creamy consistency after being stored.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Gail'S French Strawberry Pudding contains roughly 563 calories, with 6g protein, 71g carbohydrates, and 32g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (21% of the Daily Value), and a good source of dietary fiber and protein. It also contributes 4g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh strawberries instead of frozen?
Yes, fresh strawberries can be used instead of frozen. Just make sure to slice them thinly and perhaps toss them with a bit of sugar to enhance their sweetness. This adjustment adds a lovely texture and flavor profile to the pudding.
How long does this pudding need to chill?
This pudding should chill for at least 4 hours, but overnight is ideal. Allowing it to sit overnight helps the flavors meld together and the texture to set perfectly, making for a more enjoyable dessert experience.
Can I make this pudding ahead of time?
Absolutely! This pudding can be made a day in advance, making it perfect for gatherings. Just store it in the refrigerator until you're ready to serve, ensuring that the layers maintain their structure and the dessert remains cool and refreshing.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).