Moms Two Cents

Having our oldest two children attend the University of South Carolina has bred loyal Gamecock fans over the past several years! I wanted to make a special dessert since we were tailgating at the USC / Missouri football game for my hubby’s birthday. I really didn’t want the traditional “birthday cake” so I got creative! Wanted something that would transport easily and be a breeze to serve. I came up with these easy to make, easy to serve no bake yummies! No bake Strawberry Cheesecake and Dirt desserts. I constructed individual desserts in mason jelly jars and decorated them with fabric top cutouts, team color ribbons, and coordinating plastic spoons. I made each the night before and stored in the refrigerator, then placed in a cooler to transport to the game. So easy to make, transport, and serve! I have included my recipes for both No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake and Dirt dessert below! Happy Tailgating!!!

No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Desserts

1 ½ cups Graham Cracker crumbs, crushed

¼ cup Sugar

1 stick Butter – melted

1 (8 ounce) pkg. Cream Cheese

1 (8 ounce) tub Cool Whip

2/3 cup Sugar

1 tsp. Vanilla flavoring

Fresh Strawberries

1. In a large bowl, combine the Graham Cracker crumbs, ¼ cup of the Sugar and melted Butter until the crumbs are well coated.

2. Spoon 3 tablespoonfuls of the crumbs into each of the 8 mason jelly jars.

3. In a large bowl beat together Cream Cheese, Cool Whip, Vanilla flavoring and remaining Sugar with a mixer until smooth and creamy.

4. Spoon several tablespoons of the Cheesecake mixture over the crumb mixture in each of the 8 mason jars, then layer with more Graham Cracker crumbs and another layer of the Cheesecake mixture. End with a layer of Graham Cracker crumbs on top. *** TIP *** I spooned the Cheesecake mixture into a plastic disposable decorator bag and used a large round tip to pipe the mixture into the jars. This method was less messy than using a spoon!

5. Chill to set. – Before packing in the cooler on game-day be sure to slice fresh Strawberries and place several on the top of each individual dessert.

“Dirt” Dessert

1 large pkg. Oreo’s – crumbled into fine “dirt” consistency
3 cups Milk
8 oz. Cream Cheese
½  cup Butter
2 small pkg’s. Instant Vanilla Pudding
1 cup Powdered Sugar
1 large tub Cool Whip
1 tsp. Vanilla flavoring

1. Crush Oreo’s into consistency of “dirt” using a food processor or by placing cookies into a ziplock bag and crush using a rolling pin.

2. Spoon about 3 tablespoons of the crushed Oreo’s into the bottom of 8 jelly size mason jars. Set remaining aside for later use.

3. Cream the Cream Cheese and Butter with a mixer until smooth. Add in the sugar and continue to cream. Finally, fold in Cool Whip until well blended.

3. In separate bowl, mix the Vanilla Pudding, Milk and Vanilla flavoring. Fold in the Cream Cheese/Sugar mixture.

4. Spoon several tablespoons of the pudding mixture over the crushed Oreo’s in each of the 8 mason jars, then layer with more crushed Oreo’s and another layer of pudding mixture. End with a layer of the “dirt” (Oreo) on top. *** TIP *** I spooned the pudding/sugar mixture into a plastic disposable decorator bag and used a large round tip to pipe the mixture into the jars. This method was less messy than using a spoon!

5. Chill to set. – Before packing in the cooler on game-day be sure to place several Gummy Worms on the top of each individual dessert. (I stick one or two coming out of the “dirt”).