Indulge in the delightful fusion of a classic dessert with a fruity twist – presenting our Walking Strawberry Cheesecake! This scrumptious creation combines the best of both worlds: the rich, creamy goodness of cheesecake and the refreshing, juicy sweetness of strawberries. They’re the perfect easy dessert for hosting a party or even just as an after-school snack idea!
Perfect for any occasion, this simple dessert will have your taste buds dancing in delight, leaving you craving for more. So, if you’re ready to make desserts super simple, keep on reading as we unveil the magic behind this fantastic recipe.
If you have strawberries left after this recipe, why not try this tasty sweet treat; Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries or Strawberry Cheesecake Bites that are almost too cute to eat! Or make a Strawberry Cream Cheese Ice Box Cake for those hot summer days.
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❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It uses a few ingredients: With only 5 ingredients, this recipe uses items that you may even have on hand.
- Eat on the go: Once you’ve mixed the pudding mix, there’s nothing more needed than a spoon for each portion.
- Ready in only 15 minutes: Want a super quick and easy idea? This recipe, from start to finish, only takes 15 minutes.
What is Walking Cheesecake?
Walking desserts, such as this fun cheesecake, are portable twists on the classic cheesecake dessert that allows you to enjoy its deliciousness on-the-go! It involves adding instant pudding mix, usually cheesecake flavored, to a bag of crushed graham crackers, along with fresh strawberries or your favorite fruit.
This delightful concoction creates a mess-free, handheld treat that can be easily enjoyed as you walk, at picnics, or during any outdoor event. Say goodbye to the hassle of plates and relish in the convenience and scrumptiousness of walking cheesecake – a dessert that’s perfect for those with a sweet tooth or who crave sweet indulgence anytime, anywhere!
🧾 Ingredients Needed
I’ve highlighted a couple of ingredients below with some relevant notes. Aside from this, the ingredients needed are pretty basic.
- Cheesecake mix – To keep everything simple, use an instant cheesecake mix to create this simple dessert.
- Teddy Grahams – Make sure you get the individual serving bags of Teddy Grahams for this recipe.
- Strawberries – Fresh strawberries are best for this recipe, slice them up and mix them with the cool whip.
📖 Substitutions
Sometimes substitutions are necessary because of ingredients that are unavailable or needed for dietary restrictions. Here are some suggestions that can help:
- Cheesecake Mix: Instead of instant cheesecake mix, you can use instant vanilla or white chocolate pudding mix for a similar creamy texture and sweetness.
- Cool Whip: To replace Cool Whip, you can opt for homemade whipped cream (made by whipping heavy cream with sugar and vanilla extract) or use a dairy-free whipped topping, such as coconut whipped cream, for a vegan alternative.
- Strawberries: Fresh strawberries can be replaced with other fruits like blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, or diced peaches for a different fruit pairing.
📖 Variations
There are numerous variations you can try to give your Walking Cheesecake a unique twist. Here are some ideas to inspire your creativity:
- Chocolate Lovers: Use chocolate-flavored instant pudding mix and add chocolate chips or chocolate shavings to the mixture. You can also use crushed Oreos or chocolate graham crackers instead of regular graham crackers.
- Tropical Delight: Use a combination of diced mango, pineapple, and kiwi as your fruit mix, and consider using coconut-flavored instant pudding or adding shredded coconut for an extra tropical touch.
- Banana Cream: Use banana-flavored instant pudding and add sliced bananas to the mix. You can also drizzle caramel sauce over the top for an added indulgence.
- Caramel Apple: Add diced apples and a drizzle of caramel sauce to the vanilla pudding mix. You could also sprinkle cinnamon or apple pie spice over the top for a warm, comforting flavor.
- Lemon Blueberry: Combine lemon-flavored instant pudding with fresh blueberries, and consider adding a bit of lemon zest for an extra burst of citrus flavor.
- Peanut Butter & Chocolate: Use chocolate-flavored instant pudding and mix in peanut butter chips or swirl in some creamy peanut butter for a delicious, nutty twist.
- Cherry Almond: Combine vanilla instant pudding with cherry pie filling and sprinkle chopped almonds over the top for a delightful cherry almond flavor combination.
Remember, there’s no limit to the creative combinations you can come up with the easy dessert! Mix and match flavors, fruits, and toppings to create your own unique Walking Cheesecake that suits your taste buds.
👩🏻🍳 How to Make Walking Strawberry Cheesecake
This strawberry cheesecake is broken into 2 components:
- Make the cheesecake
- Assemble the dessert
*Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full ingredients list & instructions!*
STEP 1: Mix the cheesecake. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the pudding mix with milk. Stir the mixture for two minutes, then let it sit for three minutes to set up completely. (Image 1-2)
STEP 2: Prepare the crackers: To easily access the teddy grahams inside, cut open the top of the bags and fold over the edges.
STEP 3: Add the pudding. Fill each bag with pudding using a spoon. (Image 3).
STEP 4: Add the strawberries and cool whip. Place the strawberries in the bags and add a generous dollop of cool whip on top. (Image 4).
💭 Recipe Pro Tips
- Prep in advance: To save time, prepare the instant pudding and crush the graham crackers ahead of time. Store them separately in air-tight containers until you’re ready to assemble your Walking Cheesecake.
- Choose ripe fruits: For the best flavor and texture, use ripe, juicy fruits in your Walking Cheesecake. Wash and dry them thoroughly before dicing or slicing to ensure they don’t make the mixture soggy.
- Customize portions: Create individual servings of Walking Cheesecake by using small zip-top bags or reusable containers. This makes it easy for everyone to enjoy their own personalized dessert on-the-go.
- Chill before serving: For an even more refreshing treat, chill your Walking Cheesecake in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This will help the flavors meld together and create a firmer, creamier texture.
📋 Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can definitely make your own pudding from scratch for your Walking Cheesecake. Homemade pudding will provide a richer, creamier texture and allows you to control the ingredients. Just be sure to let it cool and thicken before assembling your dessert.
Absolutely! To make a vegan or dairy-free version, use a dairy-free instant pudding mix or a homemade dairy-free pudding recipe. Replace Cool Whip with a dairy-free whipped topping like coconut whipped cream, and use dairy-free graham crackers or cookies for the base.
While it’s possible to freeze Walking Cheesecake, the texture may change once thawed, especially if it contains fruits. If you do decide to freeze it, store individual portions in airtight containers or freezer-safe zip-top bags. When ready to consume, let the portions thaw in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight. Keep in mind that the texture might be slightly different, but it should still taste delicious.
To make a gluten-free Walking Cheesecake, simply replace regular graham crackers with gluten-free graham crackers or another type of gluten-free cookie. Also, make sure to check the labels on your instant pudding mix and whipped topping to ensure they are gluten-free as well.
It’s best to use fresh fruit for your Walking Cheesecake because frozen fruit can release excess moisture when thawed, making the dessert soggy. However, if you only have access to frozen fruit, make sure to thaw it completely, drain any excess liquid, and pat the fruit dry with a paper towel before adding it to your dessert.
❄️ Storage
To store leftover pudding portions, follow these simple steps:
- Choose the right container: Transfer the leftover pudding into an airtight container or individual serving bowls with lids. Glass or plastic containers with tight-fitting lids work well in preventing air exposure, which can cause the pudding to form a skin or become dry.
- Cover the surface: If you’re using a container without a lid or want extra protection against skin formation, press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the pudding. This will create a barrier that prevents air from coming into contact with the pudding.
- Refrigerate: Place the covered container or bowl in the refrigerator. It’s best to store pudding in the coldest part of the fridge, away from the door where temperatures tend to fluctuate.
- Consume within a few days: Leftover pudding is best enjoyed within 3-4 days of preparation. Before eating, check for any signs of spoilage, such as off smells, mold, or changes in texture.
Remember that instant puddings tend to set more firmly over time, so the texture might be slightly different when consuming leftovers. If you notice the pudding has become too thick, you can gently fold in a small amount of milk or whipped cream to loosen it before serving.
🍰 More Cheesecake Style Recipes You’ll Love
If you are looking for a more traditional cheesecake recipe, try this Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake instead. Or if you want something more citrus based, try this Orange Fluff Salad that’s perfect for a party. You could also use any leftover berries for a Mixed Berry Mini Trifle as well. Or, you’ll love these cake favorites:
Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!
📖 Recipe
Walking Strawberry Cheesecake
Ingredients
- 1 5.1oz box cheesecake pudding mix
- 2 cups milk
- 8 packages single serving Teddy Grahams
- 1 cup strawberries diced
- 1 cup cool whip
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the pudding mix and milk. Stir the mixture for two minutes and allow it to sit for three minutes to set up completely.
- Cut open the tops of the bags of teddy grahams and flip over the edges of the bag.
- Spoon the pudding into each bag.
- Add the strawberries to the bags and top with a dollop of cool whip.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
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