There's nothing better than starting your morning with a thick spread of this homemade strawberry cream cheese on a bagel or toast. This cream cheese recipe comes together in minutes, is full of real strawberry flavor, and is healthier than the storebought alternative.
This recipe will soon become one of your go-tos for a quick and delicious breakfast!
This strawberry cream cheese recipe is like no other! Unlike other recipes, the strawberry flavor comes from freeze-dried strawberries and strawberry preserves. This creates a beautiful, light pink cream cheese spread that isn't watery or chunky like one with fresh strawberries.
By using these simple strawberry ingredients, the cream cheese spread will last longer and have a smoother consistency. That's a win for both flavor and texture!
This post will give you all the tips and tricks on how to make the perfect strawberry cream cheese dip or schmear.
Featured 5-star reviews:
Want to know what other people thought of this recipe? Check out these 5-star reviews left by our readers:
- "Amazing strawberry flavor! Better than the cream cheese from the grocery store. Great tasting spread for a plain bagel." - Evan
- "I love cream cheese with strawberries and I was very pleased with this recipe. Highly recommend making it!" - Leah
Looking for more cream cheese recipes?
Try this light yogurt cream cheese fruit dip. This recipe is perfect for summer gatherings or brunch. Serve with your favorite sliced and chopped fruit and enjoy!
Headed to a party? Bring this easy ranch beer cheese dip with some pretzels, chips and veggies for a tasty game-day snack. This will become one of your go-to appetizers!
Level up your brunch game with this copycat Panera honey walnut cream cheese. You won't believe how easy and delicious this homemade spread is! Serve with an assortment of bagels... and a mimosa for good measure.
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Fresh & fruity! This fruity cream cheese spread tastes like a copycat version of Philadelphia strawberry cream cheese! It is truly packed with natural strawberry flavor and in my humble opinion, is even better than storebought!
- Perfect for breakfast! This spread is perfect on a warm, toasted bagel in the morning.
- Easy to make! You only need a handful of ingredients to make this homemade cream cheese spread. Plus, it comes together in minutes!
- Real ingredients & no processed sugar! This recipe calls for wholesome ingredients and is sweetened with your choice of honey or pure maple syrup. Control the sweetness in this recipe and enjoy a healthier berry cream cheese.
Ingredients
- Cream cheese
- Freeze-dried strawberries
- Strawberry preserves or jam
- Honey
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Looking for more strawberry recipes? Try these chewy strawberries and cream cookies that also use freeze-dried strawberries!
Substitutions
Need to make a substitution or missing an ingredient? Here are some ways you can alter this recipe to fit your unique dietary needs.
- Dairy-free? Use your favorite dairy-free cream cheese.
- Vegan? Use vegan cream cheese and substitute the honey for pure maple syrup or powdered sugar.
- Don't have freeze-dried strawberries? I have also made this recipe with only cream cheese and strawberry preserves. If you don't have freeze-dried strawberries, you can make a simpler version of this recipe by just mixing together softened cream cheese and your favorite strawberry jam. This version will taste more like strawberry jam than the original recipe.
Variations
Here are a few ideas for customizing this recipe and making different flavor variations:
- Top your strawberry cream cheese bagel or toast with sliced, fresh strawberries to elevate the strawberry flavor and create an Instagram-worthy breakfast.
- Sweeten your spread with pure maple syrup instead of honey for a slight maple flavor.
- Mix some colorful sprinkles into the cream cheese spread for a pop of color! This will be a hit with kids and little ones.
- Mix in fresh fruit if desired. This will shorten how long your cream cheese may last in the fridge but is a great addition right before serving. Some juicy strawberries or fresh raspberries would taste amazing in this recipe.
This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!
How To Make Strawberry Cream Cheese Spread
Step 1: Beat a block of softened cream cheese until smooth. Add honey and beat to combine.
Step 2: Next, add strawberry powder to the whipped cream cheese and beat to combine.
Step 3: The cream cheese mixture will have a beautiful light pink color. Stop here or elevate the strawberry flavor with the next step.
Step 4: Add your favorite berry jam or preserves.
Step 5: Swirl a dollop of strawberry preserves throughout the cream cheese. Do not fully combine.
Step 6: Lastly, store the strawberry spread in an airtight container in the fridge for 7-10 days.
Expert Tips & Tricks
- When letting a block of cream cheese come to room temperature, be sure to unwrap the cream cheese from the foil wrapping. If you leave the cream cheese in the foil, it will stay cold and take longer to soften.
- Microwave the cream cheese for short 10-second intervals to quickly soften it. This will save you time waiting for the cream cheese to be ready to use. Be sure not to overheat the cream cheese and stop microwaving once it becomes slightly softened to the touch and feels room temperature.
- Use a stand mixer, hand mixer, or even a food processor to blend and combine the cream cheese ingredients until smooth.
- Partially stir in the strawberry jam at the very end so you can still see those beautiful pink swirls in the cream cheese!
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question about this recipe? Here are some additional tips and commonly asked questions:
This strawberry cream cheese recipe is healthier than most! It uses real strawberry ingredients and is naturally sweetened. Storebought versions may contain artificial flavoring and a lot of processed sugar.
Spread strawberry-flavored cream cheese onto bagels or toast or dip fresh strawberries or pretzels into the cream cheese for a sweet treat!
Equipment
You'll need a mixing bowl, a mixer or food processor, a rubber spatula, a tablespoon, and an airtight storage container to make this recipe.
Storage
Refrigerator Instructions
Store cream cheese spread with strawberries in an airtight container (I like to use a small glass Pyrex dish) and place in the refrigerator for 7-10 days.
More Recipes You'll Love
Looking for something else to make? Give these Baked Abundance recipes a try:
Recipe
Strawberry Cream Cheese
This strawberry cream cheese recipe is full of real strawberry flavor and is healthier than storebought. This strawberry spread is perfect for bagels and toast.
- Prep Time: 15
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 1x
- Category: Spreads
- Method: No-bake
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 8-ounce block of cream cheese, softened
- 3 tablespoons honey
- ¼ cup freeze-dried strawberries, blended into a powder
- 2 tablespoons strawberry preserves or jam
Instructions
- Soften a block of cream cheese on the counter at room temperature or microwave for 10 seconds at a time until the cream cheese is slightly soft to the touch. Do not microwave cream cheese for too long so it does not become hot.
- Use a hand mixer to beat the softened cream cheese until light, fluffy and smooth. About 2 minutes.
- Use a blender or food processor to blitz the freeze-dried strawberries until they resemble fine dust.
- Add honey and strawberry powder to the whipped cream cheese and beat to combine.
- Swirl a dollop of strawberry preserves throughout the cream cheese. Do not fully combine so you can visibly see the swirl of jam.
- Store the strawberry cream cheese spread in an airtight container in the fridge for 7-10 days.
Notes
- See the blog post for more tips and details on how to customize this recipe.
- Let the cream cheese come to room temperature or microwave for 10-second intervals until just softened. Do not overheat. This step is crucial so you don't end up with a lumpy cream cheese spread.
- To make this recipe vegan (and/or dairy-free), use a vegan block of cream cheese and substitute the honey for pure maple syrup.
LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!
Did you try this strawberry cream cheese spread? Leave a five ⭐️ review below and tag @bakedabundance on Instagram & Facebook!
Leah
I love cream cheese with strawberries and I was very pleased with this recipe. Highly recommend making it!
Evan
Amazing strawberry flavor! Better than the cream cheese from the grocery store. Great tasting spread for a plain bagel.
Shannon
This recipe is so easy to make and is one of the best flavored cream cheeses I’ve ever tasted. My kids loved it too!