CREAMY CHEESECAKE FRUIT SALAD

This creamy cheesecake fruit salad is like a dessert and a fruit bowl all in one—sweet, tangy, and loaded with juicy bites of fresh fruit. A silky cheesecake-style dressing coats every piece, giving you that rich cheesecake flavor without any baking. It’s perfect for potlucks, holidays, summer cookouts, or whenever you want an easy make-ahead dessert. You can easily swap in your favorite seasonal fruits, and it travels well. Serve it chilled for the best texture and flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup strawberries, hulled and sliced (about 150 g)
• 1 cup mandarin oranges, drained (about 170 g)
• 1 cup pineapple chunks, drained (about 165 g)
• 1 cup kiwi, peeled and sliced (about 150 g)
• 1 cup bananas, sliced (about 150 g)
• 1 cup grapes, halved, seedless (about 150 g)
• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened (about 225 g)
• 1 (3.4-ounce) package instant cheesecake pudding mix, unprepared (about 96 g)
• 1 cup International Delight French Vanilla Creamer (240 ml), or substitute with 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream and 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
2. Sprinkle the instant cheesecake pudding mix over the cream cheese and beat until well combined.
3. While continuing to beat, slowly add the creamer (or the heavy cream and vanilla extract) to the cream cheese mixture and beat until smooth.
4. In a separate large bowl, combine the strawberries, mandarin oranges, pineapple chunks, kiwi, bananas, and grapes.
5. Gently fold the cheesecake mixture into the fruit until everything is evenly coated.
6. Cover the bowl and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or until ready to serve.
7. Garnish with additional fruit or a sprinkle of graham cracker crumbs if desired, then serve chilled.

Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 0 minutes | Total Time: 80 minutes
Kcal: 300 kcal | Servings: 8

Tips:
For the best texture, add the bananas just before serving so they stay firm and don’t brown, and feel free to swap in seasonal fruits like berries, peaches, or mango for a fun twist.

Store the salad covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, giving it a gentle stir before serving; if it thickens too much in the fridge, you can loosen it with a splash of extra creamer or milk.