Cheesecake Fruit Salad
Cheesecake Fruit Salad is a refreshing and indulgent dessert that perfectly blends fresh fruits, a creamy cheesecake filling, and a hint of crunch.
It’s a versatile dish that works wonderfully for any occasion, whether it’s a holiday gathering, a picnic, or a simple weeknight treat.
The combination of creamy, sweet, and tangy flavors, along with the crunch from granola or graham crackers, makes it a crowd-pleaser for both kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
2 cups strawberries, hulled and halved
2 cups green apples, cored and diced
1 cup red grapes, halved
1 cup of granola or crushed graham crackers
1 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
For the Cheesecake Filling:
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup heavy whipping cream
Instructions
Start by preparing the fruits. Hull and halve the strawberries, core and dice the apples, and halve the grapes. Place them in a large mixing bowl.
If you’re using granola, crush it lightly or break up the graham crackers into smaller pieces. You can also opt for a store-bought granola mix for added texture and flavor.
Drizzle caramel sauce over the fruit mixture to enhance the sweetness.
For the cheesecake filling, whip the cream cheese in a large bowl until it’s smooth and creamy.
Add in the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing well until fully combined. In a separate bowl, whip the heavy whipping cream until it forms soft peaks.
Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture, ensuring it’s fully incorporated and smooth. This step is crucial for creating a light, fluffy filling.
Next, gently fold the cheesecake filling into the fruit mixture, ensuring that every piece of fruit is coated with the creamy filling.
Be careful not to overmix; you want the fruits to stay intact and the salad to have a balanced texture.
If desired, you can add extra caramel sauce at this point for more sweetness.
Once everything is mixed together, refrigerate the fruit salad for at least one hour. This will allow the flavors to meld and the filling to set properly.
giving the salad a more cohesive and rich taste. You can also refrigerate it overnight for a longer marinating period, which will allow the caramel sauce to soak into the fruits a bit more.
Before serving, sprinkle the granola or crushed graham crackers on top of the salad to add some crunch.
This will provide a delightful contrast to the creamy filling and fresh fruits. If you prefer a crunchier texture, serve the granola separately, so it doesn’t get soggy from the salad’s moisture.
Serve the cheesecake fruit salad in bowls or a large serving dish. It’s best enjoyed cold, especially during warmer months when it can be a refreshing.
cool treat. This dessert can be a standout item at any brunch, picnic, or family gathering.
To finish, drizzle a little more caramel sauce on top just before serving for an extra touch of sweetness and visual appeal.
A light sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg can also be added for an additional layer of flavor if desired.
How to Make
Begin by prepping the fruits. This is the easiest part of the recipe—simply wash the strawberries and grapes, then hull and slice the strawberries in half.
For the apples, use a sharp knife to core and dice them into bite-sized pieces. Once the fruit is prepped, place everything in a large mixing bowl.
If you’re making your own granola or using graham crackers, break them into smaller pieces to create a crumble-like texture.
You can either buy granola or crush graham crackers to make your salad crunchy. Add this to the fruit mixture for texture and a little extra sweetness.
Prepare the cheesecake filling by first beating the softened cream cheese in a large bowl until it’s smooth.
Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, continuing to beat until it’s fully blended. In a separate bowl, whip the heavy whipping cream until soft peaks form.
Carefully fold this whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture, ensuring the combination stays light and fluffy.
Once the filling is ready, add it to the fruit and granola mixture. Fold gently, making sure each piece of fruit is coated with.
the creamy cheesecake mixture without smashing the fruit. Be careful not to overmix as you want to preserve the texture of the fruits.
Once everything is combined, cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least one hour to allow the flavors to meld.
You can prepare the salad the night before and let it sit in the fridge overnight for even more depth of flavor.
Just before serving, give the salad a final mix and top with additional granola or graham cracker crumbs for crunch. If you want extra sweetness, drizzle a little more caramel sauce on top.
Serve chilled, either in individual bowls or as a large family-style dish. This fruit salad can be stored in the fridge for up to two days, but it’s best served fresh for the ideal texture and taste.
Variations
You can customize this cheesecake fruit salad by adding or substituting different fruits based on what’s in season or your preferences.
For instance, try adding blueberries, raspberries, pineapple, or even bananas for a tropical twist. Each fruit will bring a different flavor profile and texture, allowing you to make the salad your own.
To make it a bit healthier, you can replace the caramel sauce with honey or a fruit syrup. You could also swap out the heavy whipping cream with a lighter option.
such as Greek yogurt or coconut cream, for a dairy-free version. If you’re avoiding gluten, you can use gluten-free granola or omit the graham crackers altogether.
Another variation could include using flavored cream cheese. Try a strawberry or vanilla cream cheese for a different flavor.
or you can mix in some citrus zest. such as lemon or orange, to bring a refreshing zing to the dish.
For a nutty version, consider adding chopped nuts like pecans or almonds. They’ll add extra crunch and a deeper flavor to the salad.
You can also add a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg to the cheesecake filling for a warm spice note that complements the fruit perfectly.
If you want to make the dessert a bit more decadent, you can layer it into parfaits with extra caramel sauce or chocolate chips.
This will elevate the presentation and add layers of sweetness and richness.
For a fun twist, try using a flavored granola or adding a sprinkle of coconut flakes on top for an extra texture and a tropical flair.
You can also switch the caramel sauce for chocolate sauce or berry syrup for a different flavor combination.
Finally, for a slightly tangier version, you can replace the heavy cream with sour cream or mascarpone for a richer, less sweet cheesecake filling.
Tips
To make the cheesecake filling perfectly smooth, ensure your cream cheese is softened before mixing. If it’s too cold.
It can form lumps that are difficult to smooth out. Take the cream cheese out of the fridge about 30 minutes before you begin preparing the dish.
When choosing fruits for your salad, consider using a variety of colors to make it visually appealing. Red, green, and purple fruits will give your salad an eye-catching pop.
You can also mix in some citrus fruits like oranges or grapefruits for a tangy contrast to the sweetness of the caramel sauce.
Be gentle when mixing the fruit with the cheesecake filling to avoid smashing the fruit. You want to maintain the integrity of the fruit pieces for a pleasant texture in each bite.
For the granola, if you’re making your own, feel free to add extra ingredients like dried fruits, chia seeds, or flax seeds to give the salad a nutritional boost.
If you’re using store-bought granola, choose one with a bit of crunch, as it will add great texture to the salad.
Let the salad chill in the fridge for at least one hour before serving. This gives the cheesecake filling time to set and the flavors to meld, making the salad even more flavorful and refreshing.
For extra sweetness, you can drizzle more caramel sauce on top before serving, but be mindful not to overdo it.
A little drizzle goes a long way in enhancing the flavor without overwhelming the freshness of the fruit.
If you’re preparing this in advance, store the granola or graham cracker crumbs separately and add them just before serving to prevent them from becoming soggy.
Conclusion
Cheesecake Fruit Salad is a perfect balance of creamy, sweet, and fresh, making it an irresistible dish for any occasion.
With its versatility in flavors and textures, it can be easily tailored to suit any taste or dietary preference.
Whether you’re serving it at a family gathering, a brunch, or just as a delicious treat for yourself, this cheesecake fruit salad is sure to be a hit. Its combination of fresh fruit, creamy filling, and crunchy elements makes it a dessert everyone will love.