No Bake Berry...Thingy...

In my attempt to eat healthier, I have tried to cut back on purchasing sweets. Then I get a hankering, or it's Monday night and time for Family Treats, and then what do I do? Invent! Truly, desperation is the fuel for invention, as I only have so many ingredients on hand, as well as a 2 year old boy who wants to help. This was tonight's result. No, it's not healthy, but such is life. I promise my next two recipes will be better for you, and better for me as I test them. But until then...

No Bake Berry...Thingy...

15 (1 1/2 cellophane packages) graham crackers
1 stick butter
1 box Raspberry flavored gelatin (Jell-o)
2 cups water
1 cup ice cubes
1 cup miniature marshmallows
1 8 oz package of cream cheese, at room temperature
1 box Instant Vanilla Pudding
2 cups cold milk
1 cup mixed frozen berries

1. Crush the graham crackers until fine--I use my food processor. Melt the butter and add to the crackers, mix well. Press into the bottom of a 13x9 pan. Since no baking is involved, a plastic pan is just fine. Set it in the refrigerator or freezer until the filling is ready.

2. Heat the 2 cups water to boiling. Add the Jell-o, stir with electric beaters to dissolve. While it is still super hot, add the marshmallows. Continue mixing for the marshmallows to also dissolve. Add the ice and cream cheese, keep mixing until everything is melted and smooth.

3. Add the milk and the instant pudding to the Jell-o mix, then stir well again until very smooth. Add the berries, mix once more.

4. Pour the Jell-o mixture into the pan on top of the crust. Return to the refrigerator, freezer, or other cold place until it is set. For the freezer, this will take about 1 hour, for the refrigerator, allow 2-3 hours.

Note on this recipe: I used mixed berries because that is what I had. I buy them frozen and keep them on hand at all times, because I love making smoothies with frozen berries. During the summer if you're fortunate enough to find your own berries, freeze them yourself and store it for a rainy (or snowy) day. Any type of berry would be fantastic in this dessert. Also, try different types of gelatin to change it up. Try orange gelatin with drained mandarin oranges instead of the berries. Or lime gelatin, to make it a "key-lime" flavor (I would leave the berries out completely with this).

To make a really different dessert, try changing up the classic graham cracker crust, which is featured in this recipe. Make it with pretzels instead, or crispy ginger snaps. You'll need about 1 1/2 cups of crumbs altogether. C'mon people, get inventing! That's what the kitchen is all about. Like I always say, "If it turns out horribly, we'll just go get hamburgers."

P.S. Can anyone come up with a name for this?