If you love a romantic stay at a bed & breakfast as much as I do then this homemade strawberry cream cheese recipe is going to be a favorite! It gives your breakfast table the ambiance of a country inn. This creamy spread is perfect for bagels, toast, scones, or even as a dip for fresh fruit.
It’s super easy to make and will quickly become a staple in your fridge. Keep reading to find out how to whip this up in no time at all!
Table of Contents
- 🗝️ Key takeaways: why this recipe is your new favorite
- 🧾🧾 Gather your ingredients: what you'll need
- 📖 Make it your own: yummy variations
- 🔪 Step-by-step guide: instructions for success
- 🍴Must have tools: essential equipment
- 🥫 Leftover love: how to store strawberry cream cheese
- Marye's Tip o' the day
- 💭 Insider tips: things to know
- 👩🍳 Let's answer those questions: FAQs
- 📚 More Southern comfort: related recipes you'll love
- 🍽️ Perfect pairings: what to serve with
- 📞 Wrapping it up: the last word
- 📖 Recipe
- strawberry cream cheese
- 💬 Comments
Save this recipe by clicking on the ❤️ heart on the right-hand side of the screen or in the recipe card.
🗝️ Key takeaways: why this recipe is your new favorite
- This spread is creamy, sweet, and bursting with fresh strawberry flavor. It’s a versatile addition to any breakfast, brunch, or afternoon tea.
- Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as part of afternoon tea with finger sandwiches and scones. It's an easy way to make yourself feel a little special.
- Just 4 ingredients - no preservatives or weird additives. Who doesn't love that?
This simple recipe is one of my family's favorite ways to change up our breakfast routine when berries are in season.
Jam-packed with strawberry flavor, you'll want to spread it on everything!
🧾🧾 Gather your ingredients: what you'll need
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.
📖 Make it your own: yummy variations
The best part of this Strawberry Cream Cheese recipe is its versatility. Get creative with the flavors!
- Berry mix: Use a combination of strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries for a mixed berry cream cheese.
- Citrus twist: Add a teaspoon of lemon zest for a refreshing citrus flavor.
- Fruit swap: Try swapping in another fresh fruit, like blueberries, blackberries, or raspberries.
- Herbal pop: Add a sprinkle of chopped fresh basil or thyme.
- Tangy: If your strawberries are extra sweet, squeeze in a teaspoon or so of fresh lemon (or orange) juice/zest.
Though homemade bagels and strawberry cream cheese are a perfect match, this summer spread 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! Think like a Bridgerton and make tea sandwiches with a "berry" good flavor.
🔪 Step-by-step guide: instructions for success
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.
🤫 Marye's secret for zhuzhing it up -
Add a pinch of salt to enhance the sweetness of the strawberries and balance the flavors.
zhuzh: verb. To make something more interesting or attractive
🍴Must have tools: essential equipment
- food processor
- measuring cups and spoons
- knife
- cutting board
- potato masher works great to mash the berries
- airtight glass or plastic storage container
🥫 Leftover love: how to store strawberry cream cheese
Store any leftover strawberry cream cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Cream cheese tends to change texture when frozen, so I'd recommend eating this up within a week or so, rather than freezing it.
Marye's Tip o' the day
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.
💭 Insider tips: things to know
- Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor.
- If you prefer a chunkier texture, pulse the ingredients just until combined, leaving small bits of strawberry.
- This cream cheese also makes a great filling for crepes or a topping for pancakes.
- 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.
- Instead of spooning it into a jar try pressing it into a heart shaped mold for Valentine's Day breakfast or a special afternoon tea. So pretty!
👩🍳 Let's answer those questions: FAQs
Have other questions? Ask me in the comments!
You can use an electric stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, a hand mixer, 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.
Yep! It tastes even better after chilling for a few hours.
📚 More Southern comfort: related recipes you'll love
You'll find lots more strawberry recipes here.
🍽️ Perfect pairings: what to serve with
There's no excuse not to make piping hot homemade biscuits when you use this easy drop biscuit recipe. No rolling or cutting!
Soft and fluffy make-ahead buttermilk rolls are a yummy addition to the table any time of day... and great with this strawberry cream cheese smeared on top!
Vanilla scones will always. be one of my favorite treats for a rainy afternoon. They are especially good warmed up and spread with strawberry butter.
📞 Wrapping it up: 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 fruit butters.
This strawberry cream cheese recipe 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.
If you love this recipe please comment below and give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 Recipe
Homemade Strawberry Cream Cheese
Print Pin Recipe Save Recipe Rate RecipeIngredients
- 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.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.
First published May 17, 2022. last updated July 3, 2024 for editorial improvements, readability, and more helpful information.
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Marsha Johnson says
Mary, what do you recommend to serve this with? A bagel or toast or what?
Marye says
It's great on bagels, biscuits, toast - or whatever.