Berry Cheesecake Salad Recipe

Name: Berry Cheesecake Salad Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 8 ounce block cream cheese (softened); ½ cup powdered sugar; ⅓ cup heavy whipping cream; ½ teaspoon vanilla or almond extract; 8 ounces frozen whipped topping (thawed); 6 cups fresh ripe berries - strawberries (stemmed and sliced into bite-size pieces), blueberries, raspberries, blackberries

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Berry Cheesecake Salad Recipe - a fluffy no-bake cheesecake filling combined with bright fresh berries that's sure to delight your tastebuds! This super refreshing and creamy delicious fruit salad is the perfect addition to any gathering.

Summer Berry Cheesecake Salad recipe is so quick and easy using only a few ingredients - and it is the perfect companion to savory Best Grilled Chicken, or Grilled Sweet and Spicy Pork Chops.

Are you craving cheesecake? This creamy dessert recipe is a fast solution to meet and exceed that craving!

Berry cheesecake salad in a strawberry shaped bowl on a wooden tray with fresh cut berries scattered on tray.

Why you’ll love this Recipe!

Easy Recipe: Combine easy ingredients together in no time with no baking too!
Cheesecakey Good: If you love cheesecake but do not have the time to bake, voila!
Fresh Fruit: I love picking out fresh seasonal berries to add the tartness this recipe needs! Yum!!
Versatile: No matter the season, fresh fruit can be added to make a whole new variation.

Cheesecake plus fruit makes for one heavenly combination! Anything with fresh berries is a win in my recipe book. But pairing it with the light dreamy creaminess of a cheesecake mixture is scrumptious!

Not to mention how quickly and easily this one comes together! It is sure to become your quick creamy dessert or summer fruit salad go-to for any occasion!

Take this to your favorite summer party, Memorial Day, July Fourth, or Labor Day celebration, or for that potluck you attend. No matter where you go it is sure to be a hit and always a crowd pleaser!

All you need are a few simple ingredients and a little stirring and you are on your way to the perfect summer salad!

Here's what you need to get started!

Ingredients

Cream Cheese: A softened block adds the tangy cheesecake flavor we all crave.
Powdered Sugar: The sweetness is added to make the perfect cheesecake flavor. Using powdered sugar makes the filling smooth, if you only have granulated sugar, you can use that. There will be a little crunch or bite and it's still delicious.
Heavy Cream and Vanilla: Any dessert is better with heavy cream and vanilla! The heavy cream adds an extra silky texture while the vanilla is smooth and tasty.
Whipped Topping (Cool Whip): Get the frozen kind for added ease in this recipe. If you want to make homemade whipped cream you certainly can.
Fresh Favorite Berries: Choose strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries. Really any berries work or you can use your favorite fruits. Slice the strawberries in half or fourths depending on the size and the other berries can be left whole or sliced in half if desired.

How to make Berry Cheesecake Salad

✱ Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and instructions!

Step 1 | Make Cheesecake Mixture

Start by adding the softened cream cheese to a mixing bowl to cream. Then add the heavy cream and vanilla. Finally, add the powdered sugar slowly to the cream cheese mixture. Once fully combined, fold in the whipped topping.

Collage image showing steps to make cheesecake mixture. Add ingredients to bowl, beat until smooth, fold in cool whip.

Step 2 | Fold In Fresh Berries

Time to prepare the fresh berries. Wash and slice the berries if needed. Then add the delicious fresh fruits to the creamy cheesecake mixture and gently fold in.

Collage image showing fresh fruit in a bowl and the fruit added to cheesecake mixture.

Step 3 | Serve

Serve immediately, or place in a serving dish and chill until you are ready to serve. Garnish the top with a spring of fresh mint or some of the fresh berries. - Gorgeous!

Berry cheesecake salad being spooned into a glass strawberry shaped serving dish.

Tips

Pat dry: Once you have washed the fruit, be sure to pat it dry with a paper towel to keep excess moisture from watering down the cheesecake mix.
Folding in: When you fold in any ingredients, you mix until just combined using a spatula and a gentle motion. That way you do not break the berries or deflate the whipped topping.
For best results serve this freshly made. This is best when made fresh and served. However, you can make this the morning of or the day before.
Store In the fridge: Place clear plastic wrap on the bowl and press gently onto the surface of the mixture. This will help keep the berries and cheesecake fresh for serving time.

Variations and Substitutions:

Try other Fruits. Strawberries go well with bananas. Or you can add grapes and pecans. The combination possibilities are endless!
Make it even more like Cheesecake. Add in some graham crackers on the side to dip in. Or sprinkle with graham cracker crumbs.
Go nuts! For a more filling dessert, add some of your favorite nuts.
Turtle Cheesecake anyone? For a turtle variation, add chocolate chips, nuts, and mini marshmallows. (out of control!)
Switch out the vanilla extract with almond extract for a chantilly cake flavor. Serve it with cubed pound cake.
For a citrusy tang add in a little lemon or lime zest.
Use Already Whipped Cream Cheese in place of the block cream cheese - Don't have a mixer handy. Grab a 12 or 16 ounce whipped cream cheese container in place of the whipping cream and cream cheese block. We do this on vacation when we go to the beach in the summer.

Up close image showing creamy cheesecake filling and fresh berries that make up a berry cheesecake salad recipe.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I avoid lumps in the creamy mixture?

The key here is to make sure the cream cheese is soft or at room temperature. Then it will combine well with the other ingredients.

Can I use frozen fruit?

In theory, yes. But the problem is when they thaw. You want dry fruit on the outside so your mix does not become runny. If you need to use frozen fruit I suggest thawing and rinsing the fruit. Then pat dry before adding. The fruit won't be as plump as fresh fruit will be, but it still will work. However, I would suggest avoiding frozen berries for this recipe if possible.

Can I make this a no sugar or keto-friendly dessert?

For a keto or lower-carb version, use a keto-friendly powdered sweetener in place of powdered sugar.

Can I use whipped cream instead of cool whip?

You sure can. Homemade Whipped Cream is easy to make by whipping up heavy cream, powdered sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form. I would suggest serving it the same day if you are making it with fresh whipped cream.

Storage

When storing this fresh fruit salad, you will want to keep it refrigerated until the last minute. Store it in an air-tight container in the refrigerator until the day you are serving it. It can stay in the fridge for a day or two before it becomes too soggy.

Or, store it in the serving dish you want to serve it in and press the clear wrap to the surface of the salad. That will help keep it fresh until serving time.

*Freezing: I do not recommend freezing this recipe as it will get runny and might separate on thawing. Keep this one fresh!

What to serve with Mixed Berry Fruit Salad

As stated earlier, this fruit salad is served best with a savory meal. I love the sweet and tart mixture with a dinner charred and fresh off the grill. Try serving with my Honey Chipotle BBQ Wings, Easy Grilled Steak and Chicken Kabobs, or Stuffed Bacon Cheddar Cheeseburgers.

Want to serve it up for a holiday side dish? Try it alongside my Rustic Ham and Potatoes with Southern Balck Eyed Peas. Now that's a complete meal!

It's perfect as a dessert or even a dip too! Beautiful for any party dessert table, game day dessert, shower, or as a snack on a hot summer day.

A plate full of summer berry cheesecake salad with a vintage spoon on the plate set on a wooden tray with berries.

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