Description
Strawberry Banana Cheesecake Salad is a bright, refreshing, and creamy dessert salad that combines ripe strawberries and sweet bananas with a luscious cheesecake-inspired cream. Perfect as a light dessert, side dish, or sweet snack, this easy-to-make salad is quick to prepare, customizable, and visually vibrant, making it ideal for any occasion.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Fruit
- 1 pint fresh strawberries, washed, hulled, and sliced
- 2 ripe bananas, peeled and sliced into thin rounds
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (to prevent browning)
Cream Mixture
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup whipped cream
- 2–3 tablespoons sugar or honey (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the Fruit: Wash, hull, and slice the strawberries into bite-sized pieces. Peel the bananas and cut them into thin rounds. Toss the sliced fruit gently in a bowl with a splash of lemon juice to keep them bright and prevent browning.
- Make the Creamy Cheesecake Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, whipped cream, sugar or honey, and vanilla extract. Whip the mixture until smooth and fluffy, ensuring the sweetness is balanced to taste.
- Combine Fruit and Cream: Carefully fold the prepared fruit into the cheesecake mixture to coat the fruit evenly without mashing or breaking it, maintaining the texture.
- Chill and Set: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and to achieve a refreshing coolness.
- Serve and Enjoy: Give the salad a gentle stir before serving. Portion into bowls or clear glass cups and garnish as desired with crushed graham crackers or fresh mint leaves.
Notes
- Use fresh, ripe strawberries and bananas for best flavor and texture.
- Ensure cream cheese is softened to room temperature for smooth blending.
- Gently fold fruit to avoid turning the salad watery or mushy.
- Serve the salad chilled for the freshest and most refreshing taste.
- Adjust the sweetness of the cream mixture to your preference.
- Leftover salad can be stored refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Bananas may darken slightly but will remain flavorful.
- Freezing is not recommended as it may affect texture and taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 40mg