This Easy Holiday Cheesecake Salad mixes creamy cheesecake flavors with fruity goodness. It’s sweet, light, and perfect for any celebration!
Honestly, who knew salad could taste so sweet? I love serving this dish as a fun twist at holiday gatherings. Plus, it’s so simple that even I can whip it up! 🎉
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Cream Cheese: This is the star of the salad, providing that rich, creamy cheesecake flavor. If you’re looking for a lactose-free option, try a plant-based cream cheese or cashew cream.
Powdered Sugar: It gives sweetness and helps create a smooth texture. If you’re watching your sugar intake, you can use a sugar substitute like erythritol or a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup, although the flavor will change slightly.
Frozen Whipped Topping: This makes the salad light and fluffy. If you want to skip the store-bought kind, you can whip up heavy cream until stiff peaks form instead, which adds a fresher taste.
Fruits: Strawberries and grapes are great, but you can substitute with other fruits like raspberries, blueberries, or even diced peaches, creating your own favorite mix!
Slivered Almonds: These add a lovely crunch. If you have nut allergies, consider using crushed graham crackers or coconut flakes for texture.
How Do I Make the Salad Fluffy?
Achieving that fluffy texture is key to a great cheesecake salad. Here are a few tips:
- Make sure your cream cheese is softened at room temperature. This helps it blend smoothly.
- When you add the whipped topping, fold it gently into the cream cheese mixture. This keeps the air bubbles in and helps it remain light.
- Don’t over-mix after adding whipped topping, as this can deflate it.
- Remember, chilling it in the fridge for at least an hour helps the flavors meld and enhances the fluffiness.
Easy Holiday Cheesecake Salad
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 container (8 oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed (like Cool Whip)
- 1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple, drained
- 1 cup strawberries, hulled and chopped
- 1 cup seedless grapes or blueberries
- 1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted (for garnish)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful cheesecake salad takes about 15 minutes to prepare and an additional hour to chill in the fridge. So, in total, you’ll need about 1 hour and 15 minutes to get this delicious dessert ready!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Beat the Cream Cheese:
Start by putting your softened cream cheese in a large mixing bowl. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat it until it’s smooth and creamy. You want it nice and fluffy for the best texture!
2. Mix in Sugar and Vanilla:
Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract to the cream cheese. Beat everything together until it’s well blended. You should have a sweet and creamy mixture at this point!
3. Fold in the Whipped Topping:
Grab your thawed whipped topping and gently fold it into the cream cheese mixture. Be careful not to stir too hard; you want to keep it nice and light and fluffy!
4. Add Pineapple:
Drain your crushed pineapple very well—this helps keep the salad from getting too watery. Fold the drained pineapple into the mixture. This adds a wonderful fruity flavor!
5. Mix in the Fruits:
Now, add the chopped strawberries and your choice of grapes or blueberries. Stir gently to make sure all the fruit is evenly distributed. It should look colorful and inviting!
6. Transfer and Garnish:
Carefully transfer your cheesecake salad into a serving bowl. Make it look extra nice! Then sprinkle the toasted slivered almonds on top for a lovely crunch and festive touch.
7. Chill and Serve:
Finally, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill your salad in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. This lets all the flavors come together. Serve it cold, and enjoy this sweet treat at your holiday gathering!
This Easy Holiday Cheesecake Salad combines creamy, fruity flavors to create a refreshing dessert that everyone will love. Enjoy every bite!
Can I Use Low-Fat Cream Cheese Instead?
Yes, you can use low-fat cream cheese! It will slightly change the texture and creaminess, but the flavor will still be delicious. Just make sure it’s softened for easier mixing.
How Long Does This Salad Last in the Fridge?
This cheesecake salad can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just be sure to give it a gentle stir before serving again to refresh the mixture!
Can I Substitute Fresh Fruit for Canned Pineapple?
Absolutely! You can use fresh pineapple or any other fresh fruits you enjoy. Just chop them into small pieces and fold them in the same way you would with canned pineapple.
What If I Can’t Find Frozen Whipped Topping?
No worries! You can whip heavy cream until it forms stiff peaks and use it as a substitute for the frozen whipped topping. Just sweeten the cream with a bit of powdered sugar to taste before folding it into your salad.
