Description
A creamy and delicious Strawberry Banana Cheesecake Salad that combines fresh fruit with a smooth cheesecake-flavored dressing. This no-cook dessert salad is perfect for summer gatherings, featuring sliced strawberries, bananas, and optional mini marshmallows folded into a rich mixture of cream cheese, instant cheesecake pudding, vanilla yogurt, and a touch of lemon juice to balance the sweetness. Chill well before serving to enjoy a refreshing, fruity treat with a cheesecake twist.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheesecake Mixture
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 (3.4 oz) box instant cheesecake pudding mix, dry
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup vanilla yogurt
- 1/2 cup milk
Fruit and Add-ins
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
- 3 large bananas, sliced
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 1/2 cups mini marshmallows (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare cream cheese base: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until it becomes smooth and creamy. This creates the base texture for the cheesecake salad.
- Add dry ingredients: Mix in the dry instant cheesecake pudding mix and powdered sugar thoroughly until well combined, ensuring the mixture is consistent and free of lumps.
- Incorporate wet ingredients: Gradually add the vanilla yogurt and milk to the mixture, beating continuously until the mixture is smooth, thick, and creamy.
- Prepare the bananas: In a separate bowl, toss the sliced bananas with lemon juice. This step prevents browning and keeps the bananas fresh-looking.
- Combine fruit and marshmallows: Gently fold the sliced strawberries, lemon-treated bananas, and mini marshmallows into the cheesecake mixture. Fold carefully until the fruit and marshmallows are evenly coated with the creamy base.
- Chill before serving: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour. Chilling allows the flavors to meld and the salad to firm up for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- Add the bananas just before serving for best texture and to prevent excessive browning.
- For added crunch, fold in crushed graham crackers or chopped nuts.
- For a lighter version, use low-fat cream cheese and yogurt.
