Delicious Strawberry Cheesecake Fluff

Finding a dessert that’s both easy to whip up and guaranteed to please a crowd can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. Between juggling after-school activities and trying to put together weeknight dinners, the last thing anyone needs is a complicated recipe with a mile-long ingredient list and hours of prep time.

That’s why this strawberry cheesecake fluff has become my go-to dessert solution: it’s quick to make, requires minimal ingredients, and tastes just like your favorite cheesecake – minus all the fuss of a traditional baked version.

What Kind of Strawberries Should I Use?

Fresh strawberries are your best bet for this no-bake dessert, but you’ll want to make sure they’re ripe and sweet since they’re a star player in the flavor profile. Look for berries that are bright red all the way through with no white or green patches near the stem, and avoid any that show signs of mushiness or mold. If fresh strawberries aren’t in season, you can use frozen strawberries in a pinch – just make sure to thaw and drain them well to prevent excess liquid from making your fluff runny. When prepping your berries, try to cut them into similarly-sized pieces so every spoonful of the dessert has a consistent texture and taste.

Options for Substitutions

This light and creamy dessert is pretty adaptable – here’s what you can switch up:

• Whipped topping: If you prefer not to use store-bought whipped topping, you can make your own by whipping 1½ cups heavy cream with 3 tablespoons powdered sugar until stiff peaks form.
• Vanilla yogurt: Feel free to use plain Greek yogurt instead – just add 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract and 3 tablespoons of honey or sugar to match the sweetness. Regular plain yogurt works too, but Greek yogurt gives a thicker, creamier result.
• Instant cheesecake pudding mix: While this is key for the cheesecake flavor, you can use vanilla pudding mix plus 1 teaspoon of lemon juice to get a similar tangy taste. Just don’t skip the pudding mix completely as it helps set the dessert.
• Strawberries: This recipe works great with other berries too! Try raspberries, blueberries, or a mixed berry blend. If using frozen fruit, make sure to thaw and drain well to prevent excess liquid in your fluff.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making

The biggest challenge when making strawberry cheesecake fluff is timing – using whipped topping before it’s completely thawed can create unwanted lumps, so make sure to move it from the freezer to the fridge the night before.

A common mistake is over-mixing the pudding mix, which can make your fluff too dense and heavy – instead, gently fold the ingredients together just until combined, keeping the mixture light and airy.

When it comes to the strawberries, avoid adding them too early or your fluff might become watery – pat the chopped fruit dry with paper towels and fold them in right before serving to maintain the perfect texture.

For the best flavor and consistency, chill your fluff for at least 2 hours before serving, and if you notice any liquid pooling at the bottom, simply give it a quick stir before dishing it up.

What to Serve With Strawberry Cheesecake Fluff?

This light and creamy dessert is perfect on its own, but there are some fun ways to dress it up for serving! I love to put out a bowl of extra fresh berries on the side – not just strawberries, but maybe some raspberries and blueberries too. A sprinkle of graham cracker crumbs on top gives you that classic cheesecake crust experience, and it adds a nice crunch to each spoonful. For a dessert bar setup, try serving this fluff with some butter cookies or shortbread for dipping, or spoon it into pretty glass dishes and top with a mint leaf for a fancy touch that takes almost zero effort.

Storage Instructions

Keep Cool: This strawberry cheesecake fluff stays best when kept in the refrigerator in an airtight container. It will maintain its fluffy texture and fresh taste for up to 3 days. The strawberries might release some juice over time, but just give it a quick stir before serving and it’ll be good as new!

Make Ahead: Want to prep this dessert in advance? You can make the base mixture (everything except the strawberries) up to 24 hours ahead. When you’re ready to serve, just fold in the fresh strawberries. This keeps the fruit from getting too soft and ensures your dessert stays perfectly fresh.

Not Suitable for Freezing: I don’t recommend freezing this dessert as the texture of the whipped topping and fresh strawberries won’t hold up well after thawing. It’s best enjoyed fresh or within a few days of making it.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	0-0 minutes
Total Time	15-30 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 800-900
• Protein: 15-20 g
• Fat: 20-30 g
• Carbohydrates: 125-135 g

Ingredients

• 1 tub (8 ounces) thawed whipped topping
• 2 1/2 cups vanilla-flavored yogurt
• 1 small box (3.4 ounces) instant cheesecake pudding mix
• 3 cups strawberries, hulled and chopped into quarters

Step 1: Combine Cool Whip and Yogurt

In a large mixing bowl, gently fold together the Cool Whip and vanilla yogurt.

This ensures a smooth and creamy base for your dessert.

Use a spatula to fold until the two ingredients are evenly combined without deflating the whipped topping.

Step 2: Add Pudding Mix

Sprinkle the pudding mix over the combined Cool Whip and yogurt.

Use a spatula or a whisk to mix until the pudding mix is well incorporated into the fluff.

Make sure the mixture is smooth without any lumps of dry pudding mix.

Step 3: Chill the Fluff

Place the bowl of fluff into the refrigerator to chill for 15 minutes.

This allows the pudding mix to dissolve completely and the flavors to meld together.

Step 4: Final Mix and Serve

After chilling, give the fluff a final mix to ensure the pudding mix is fully dissolved and the texture is even.

Gently stir in the strawberries just before serving for a fresh burst of flavor.

Serve immediately, and enjoy your delightful dessert!