Strawberry Cheesecake Dip
This velvety smooth cream cheese dip combines the classic flavors of cheesecake with fresh strawberries in a quick, no-bake format perfect for parties. Served with graham crackers, it delivers all the satisfaction of cheesecake with minimal effort.
Ingredients
- 16 oz 2 blocks cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup powdered sugar sifted to remove lumps
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup fresh strawberries diced (plus extra for garnish)
- ¼ cup graham cracker crumbs plus more for topping
- 2 tablespoons strawberry preserves or jam
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice freshly squeezed preferred
- Graham crackers vanilla wafers, or fresh fruit for dipping
Instructions
- Prepare the cream cheese base by beating the softened cream cheese in a medium bowl using an electric mixer until completely smooth and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Make sure there are no lumps remaining, as they’ll affect the final texture.
- Add the powdered sugar gradually, beating on low speed after each addition until fully incorporated. This prevents the sugar from flying everywhere and ensures a smooth mixture.
- Mix in the vanilla extract and lemon juice, beating just until combined. The lemon juice adds that characteristic tang that makes cheesecake so irresistible.
- Fold in the strawberry preserves using a rubber spatula, creating gentle streaks throughout the mixture rather than fully incorporating. This creates beautiful swirls of color and concentrated pockets of flavor.
- Gently stir in the diced fresh strawberries and graham cracker crumbs, being careful not to overmix. Leave some texture and visible pieces for visual appeal and flavor bursts.
- Transfer the mixture to a serving bowl and sprinkle additional graham cracker crumbs and a few diced strawberries on top for garnish.
- Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the dip to firm up slightly. This makes it easier to scoop with dippers.
- Arrange your dipping options around the bowl just before serving. Graham crackers, vanilla wafers, strawberry halves, apple slices, and pretzel sticks all work wonderfully.
Notes
- For best results, make sure your cream cheese is truly at room temperature. Cold cream cheese will result in a lumpy dip.
- This dip can be made up to 24 hours in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator.
- For a lighter version, substitute one block of cream cheese with 8 oz of light Greek yogurt.
- To make this more festive, use a combination of berries like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries.
- The graham cracker crumbs inside the dip will soften over time—if you prefer more crunch, add them just before serving or use them only as a topping.