NO BAKE STRAWBERRY HOLIDAY CAKE

Ingredients

• one 3.4 oz package of cheesecake or vanilla flavor pudding mix
• 2 cups milk
• 12 graham crackers
• 2 lbs fresh strawberries, washed and sliced
• 2 cups freshly whipped cream + 1/3 cup powdered sugar 
• (or you can use 1 -8 oz tub of your favorite whipped topping)
• 
  Toppings
• 1/2 cup of strawberries
• crushed graham cracker crumbs
• powdered sugar for dusting
• Instructions
• In a large bowl, make cheesecake flavored pudding according to directions on package, using 2 cups of milk. Allow to set up for at least 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, slice strawberries, reserving 25 slices for garnishing.
• Divide remaining sliced strawberries into 2 equal parts.
• Mix in 1/2 of the whipped cream together with the cheesecake pudding leaving the other 1/2 of the whipped cream for the top.
• Spread a thin layer of the whipped cream / pudding mixture in a 8 x 8 pan to coat the bottom.
• Place 3 graham crackers across the center of pan and then break up 1 more as needed to fill in the gaps. Spread half of the whipped cream / pudding mixture on top. Place a single layer of strawberry slices.
• Top with another layer of graham crackers, breaking them as needed to make them fit. Spread the remaining whipped cream / pudding mixture. Add another layer of sliced strawberries.
• Top with the final layer of graham crackers. Spread the reserved whipped cream over evenly.
• Place the reserved sliced strawberries on top. Add other mixed berries of your choice if desired. Sprinkle on graham cracker crumbs on top.
• Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight until the graham crackers have softened completely. Serve chilled and dust with powdered sugar if desired.

To make freshly whipped cream
With a hand mixer or in the bowl of a stand mixer, whip 2 1/2 cups of heavy cream until it just holds stiff peaks. Add 1/3 cup of powdered sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract and whip to combine