Strawberry Cream Pie Cheesecake Dip

Serves 6 · 20 min prep

Ingredients

• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1.5 tsp vanilla extract
• 12 oz fresh strawberries
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 2 tbsp melted butter
• as needed extra graham crackers and strawberries for dipping

Instructions

1. 1Place the cream cheese in a mixing bowl and beat on medium speed until completely smooth and free of lumps, two minutes. Scrape down the sides once during beating.
2. 2Add the sour cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Continue beating until the mixture is light, fluffy, and fully combined into a cheesecake-style base.
3. 3Hull and finely dice most of the strawberries, reserving a few whole or halved berries for garnish. Toss the diced berries with the granulated sugar and lemon juice in a small bowl and let them macerate for 10 minutes.
4. 4Lightly mash half of the macerated strawberries with a fork to release juices while leaving some texture. Fold all of the berries and their juices into the cream cheese mixture until evenly distributed and pink-tinged.
5. 5In a chilled bowl whip the heavy cream to stiff peaks. Fold the whipped cream gently into the strawberry cream base in two additions so the dip stays airy and spoonable.
6. 6Stir the graham cracker crumbs with the melted butter until the crumbs are evenly moistened and resemble a loose pie-crust streusel.
7. 7Transfer the strawberry cream dip to a shallow serving bowl. Create a shallow well in the center and sprinkle the buttery graham crumbs the rim and lightly over the top to mimic pie crust.
8. 8Nestle the reserved whole or halved strawberries on top as a bright garnish. Chill the dip for at least 30 minutes so it firms slightly and the flavors marry into true strawberry cream pie taste.
9. 9Serve the chilled dip surrounded by graham crackers, vanilla wafers, extra fresh strawberries, or pretzel sticks for scooping. Stir gently before each serving to redistribute the creamy berry filling and crust crumbs.