This easy spread is done in seconds!
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❤️ Why you'll love it
- So easy to make for a fun, quick breakfast.
- A perfect way to use up your produce during strawberry season!
- Made with fresh berries, this homemade cream cheese spread is much healthier than store-bought versions.
This simple recipe is one of my family's favorite ways to change up our breakfast routine when berries are in season.
Bursting with strawberry flavor, you'll want to spread it on everything!
🧾 Ingredients
This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
🔪 Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the green recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- Place all of the ingredients into a food processor and pulse until smooth.
- Chill the cream cheese mixture in the refrigerator.
🥫 Storage
Keep your fresh strawberry cream cheese in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. It will last for 7-10 days.
Cream cheese tends to change texture when frozen, so I'd recommend eating this up within a week or so, rather than freezing it.
📖 Variations
The best part of this Strawberry Cream Cheese recipe is its versatility. Get creative with the flavors!
- Try swapping in another fresh fruit, like blueberries, blackberries, or raspberries.
- Add a sprinkle of chopped fresh basil or thyme for an herbal pop!
- If your strawberries are extra sweet, squeeze in a teaspoon or so of fresh lemon (or orange) juice/zest.
- Instead of white sugar, use honey or brown sugar as a sweetener.
- Swap the vanilla for a teaspoon of almond extract.
Though homemade bagels and Strawberry Cream Cheese are a perfect match, this summery dip is also great in other ways.
- Spread a bit on a slice of strawberry cake (think: cream cheese frosting with a twist!)
- This recipe makes a delicious fruit dip for apple slices.
- For an easy dessert, dip shortbread cookies, graham crackers, or leftover pie crust pieces into the cream cheese and call it "Strawberry Cheesecake Dip."
- Use this cream cheese filling inside your favorite pastries or crescent rolls.
- Don't forget about afternoon tea—make tea sandwiches with a "berry" good flavor.
💭 Things to know
Expert Tip: Since the strawberries add a bit of extra moisture, it's best to use a block of full-fat cream cheese. If you must, the whipped cream cheese from a tub or low-fat cream cheese will work—but keep in mind the final result may be slightly looser and a bit watery.
- Be sure to use room temperature ingredients - they'll blend the best.
- To bring your cream cheese to room temperature, let it sit on the counter (out of direct sunlight) for about an hour.
- To warm it quickly, fill a glass with water and heat the water in the microwave for a minute or so. Dump out the water and place the warm glass upside down over the top of the cream cheese (stand the cream cheese on its smallest edge.) It should soften in 5-10 minutes.
👩🍳 FAQs
You can use an electric stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or you can make the recipe by hand! Both methods are listed in the green recipe card below.
Yes - it's not as good but frozen berries can be used. Be sure to thaw them and allow the juice to drain off before using.
📚 Related recipes
- There's nothing better than butter—especially when it's flavored with sweet, fresh strawberries. Try this Homemade Strawberry Butter.
- Bring on the summer celebrations with Strawberry Margarita Jam!
- Talk about a delicious topping—Easy Mock Devonshire Cream is perfect on biscuits, scones, and more.
🍽️ Serve with...
📞 The last word
You know what the difference between breakfast at a country bed & breakfast and breakfast at home is, right?
The b&b adds those little extra touches - like special jams and spreads.
This strawberry cream cheese spread is one of those special touches and it only takes maybe 5 minutes to make!
I love it spread on a piece of homemade buttermilk bread still warm from the oven. YUM!
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need. Don't forget that you can click on "add to collection" to save it to your own, private recipe box!
If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Homemade Strawberry Cream Cheese
Print Pin Recipe SaveEquipment Needed
- Food Processor nice but not essential
- Hand Mixer
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar, more if needed
- ½ cup strawberries, washed, hulled, and mashed
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
Instructions
Food Processor
- Add the softened cream cheese to the bowl of a food processor.
- Add strawberries, sugar, and extract if you're using it.
- Pulse until smooth.
- Scoop into a refrigerator container and refrigerate for at least 1 hour for optimum flavor.
Stand Mixer
- Add all the ingredients to the bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.
- Mix on medium speed, scraping sides often.
- Chill as above.
By Hand
- Make sure the cream cheese is very soft.
- Add all ingredients to a medium size bowl and blend with a fork until smooth and creamy.
Notes
- Be sure to use room temperature ingredients - they'll blend the best.
- It's best to use a block of full-fat cream cheese. The whipped cream cheese from a tub or low-fat cream cheese will work but it's softer.
- To bring your cream cheese to room temperature, let it sit on the counter (out of direct sunlight) for about an hour.
- To warm it quickly, fill a glass with water and heat the water in the microwave for a minute or so. Dump out the water and place the warm glass upside down over the top of the cream cheese (stand the cream cheese on its smallest edge.) It should soften in 5-10 minutes.
Marsha Johnson
Mary, what do you recommend to serve this with? A bagel or toast or what?
Marye
It's great on bagels, biscuits, toast - or whatever.