Dreamy, creamy, and bursting with summer flavor, Homemade Strawberry Cheesecake Popsicles are the treat you didn’t know you needed as much as you do! Imagine everything you love about strawberry cheesecake—velvety filling, swirls of strawberry goodness, and a little graham crunch—all frozen into a portable, utterly refreshing popsicle. These are as delightful for dessert as they are for a snack on a sunny afternoon.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Cheesecake Bliss in Every Bite: These popsicles deliver all the creamy, tangy joy of cheesecake without the need for an oven!
- Made with Fresh Strawberries: Real strawberries offer bold flavor and a naturally pretty pink hue that’s irresistible to kids and adults alike.
- Crave-Worthy Graham Crunch: Each popsicle has a sweet, toasty bite of graham crumbs for that iconic cheesecake flair.
- Super Simple, Totally Customizable: You can whip up a batch in under 20 minutes—plus, it’s easy to tweak for dietary preferences or use what you have on hand!
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a handful of essentials to create Homemade Strawberry Cheesecake Popsicles, but each brings its own bit of magic. From the luscious cream cheese base to vibrant strawberries and that unmistakable graham cracker finish, these simple ingredients work together to deliver pure popsicle perfection.
- Cream Cheese (8 ounces, room temperature): This is the heart of the cheesecake flavor—make sure it’s at room temp for extra-smooth blending.
- Vanilla Greek Yogurt (2 cups): Adds creamy body, a subtle tang, and an extra protein boost.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk (10 ounces, 1 can): Lends wonderful sweetness and an ultra-luscious texture without the need for extra sugar.
- Fresh Strawberries (1 pound, washed, hulled, and halved): Expect big, berry flavor and the prettiest popsicle color ever!
- Honey Graham Crumbs (½ cup): A classic cheesecake crust touch—if you’re feeling fun, toast the crumbs for even more flavor.
- Lorann Strawberry Oil (⅛ teaspoon): Optional, but just a drop amplifies the fresh fruit aroma for a bigger berry punch.
- Red Food Coloring (optional): Use a drop if you want an extra-vivid pink, but honestly, the strawberries do most of the heavy lifting.
Variations
One of my favorite things about Homemade Strawberry Cheesecake Popsicles is how easily you can tweak the recipe to fit any craving, dietary need, or simply whatever you have hiding in your fridge. Here are some tasty twists to make them your own!
- Mixed Berry Medley: Swap out half the strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries for a colorful berry explosion.
- Dairy-Free Delight: Use plant-based cream cheese, coconut yogurt, and a sweetened coconut condensed milk for a luscious vegan version.
- Chocolate Swirl: Add a ribbon of melted chocolate or a handful of mini chips to the mix for cheesecake popsicles that channel chocolate-dipped strawberries!
- Low-Sugar: Opt for unsweetened Greek yogurt and a reduced-sugar condensed milk if you’d like a lighter treat, or use sugar-free graham-style crumbs.
How to Make Homemade Strawberry Cheesecake Popsicles
Step 1: Blend the Cheesecake Base
Start by beating your softened cream cheese in a large bowl until it’s completely smooth—no lumps here, just creamy dreams! Add the Greek yogurt and continue beating on low until fully combined and velvety. Slowly pour in the sweetened condensed milk, blending all the way. If you’re using strawberry oil and/or a bit of food coloring, add those now for extra fruity aroma and that signature pink pop.
Step 2: Puree the Strawberries
Place your hulled and halved strawberries into a separate bowl. With an immersion blender (or a regular blender), puree them until silky-smooth. The fresher your berries, the brighter and bolder your popsicle flavor will be—it’s summertime in a swirl!
Step 3: Stir in the Graham Crumbs
Sprinkle the honey graham crumbs into your cheesecake mixture and gently fold them in with a spatula. This adds a subtle toasty crunch just like a cheesecake crust, but suspended right in the popsicle itself. If you like a bigger crunch, reserve a few crumbs to sprinkle in as layers.
Step 4: Combine & Fill the Molds
Now for the fun part! Gently swirl the strawberry puree into the cheesecake base. Pour the mixture into your popsicle molds, layering and swirling as you go for beautiful berry ribbons. Add a little extra graham crumb to the bottom (which will become the top when unmolded) if you crave a crunchy finish. Don’t forget to add popsicle sticks!
Step 5: Freeze Until Set
Transfer the filled molds to your freezer and let them chill for a minimum of 4 hours—overnight if you can for the dreamiest texture. To unmold, run the outside of the molds under warm water for a few seconds and watch your Homemade Strawberry Cheesecake Popsicles slide right out, perfect and pretty.
Pro Tips for Making Homemade Strawberry Cheesecake Popsicles
- Room Temp Cream Cheese is Key: Take your cream cheese out ahead of time; it needs to be soft for that velvety cheesecake base (cold cream cheese will turn your mixture lumpy!).
- Use Fresh, Ripe Strawberries: The sweeter and juicier your berries, the brighter the finished popsicles—frozen strawberries can work in a pinch, but fresh is magic.
- Don’t Overmix the Graham Layer: Fold graham crumbs just enough for some crunch; too much stirring and you’ll lose those tasty nibbles!
- Swirl Like a Pro: For beautiful marbled pops, layer and gently swirl the strawberry puree in the molds with a chopstick or skewer before freezing.
How to Serve Homemade Strawberry Cheesecake Popsicles
Garnishes
If you want to get a little extra with your Homemade Strawberry Cheesecake Popsicles, try dipping the unmolded pops in melted white chocolate and sprinkling with extra graham crumbs. A tiny pinch of freeze-dried strawberry dust on top looks gorgeous and adds a professional bakery touch—but honestly, they’re delicious straight from the mold, with not a single adornment needed!
Side Dishes
These popsicles are made for sunny weather and casual get-togethers! I love serving them alongside a pitcher of lemonade or iced tea, or even as a fun dessert after a backyard barbecue. For a full-on dessert board, pair with other fruity treats, mini cheesecakes, or a simple bowl of mixed berries.
Creative Ways to Present
For a summer party, set up a DIY popsicle bar: offer bowls of toppings like mini chocolate chips, more graham crumbs, chopped nuts, or sprinkles and let everyone customize their own. For extra flair, serve each pop in a cupcake liner or nestled on crushed ice scattered with strawberry slices and fresh mint leaves. These popsicles look stunning on a platter—watch them disappear!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your Homemade Strawberry Cheesecake Popsicles at their best, store any extras right in the molds or transfer them to an airtight freezer-safe bag with parchment between each pop. They’ll stay fresh for up to two weeks (if they last that long!).
Freezing
After they’re fully frozen, popsicles can be popped out and layered in containers, separated with parchment or wax paper. This keeps them from sticking together and means you can make a big batch ahead for parties or summer cravings at a moment’s notice.
Reheating
Since these are frozen treats, you definitely don’t want to reheat! If your popsicles are too firm, just let them sit at room temperature for a minute or two—the texture becomes perfectly creamy and easy to eat.
FAQs
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Do I need to use Lorann strawberry oil and red food coloring?
Nope! The strawberry oil is optional—it boosts flavor, but fresh strawberries already shine on their own. The food coloring gives a deeper pink, but it’s absolutely not necessary for a delicious result.
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Can I make these popsicles with frozen strawberries?
Yes! Just thaw and drain the berries well before pureeing. This ensures your mixture isn’t watery and your Homemade Strawberry Cheesecake Popsicles stay creamy, not icy.
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What popsicle molds work best?
Any standard popsicle mold works great, but silicone molds make unmolding much easier. You can even use small paper cups in a pinch—just add wooden sticks after an hour of freezing so they stand up straight.
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Can I make Homemade Strawberry Cheesecake Popsicles ahead for a party?
Yes! In fact, these popsicles are even better when made in advance, as they need several hours to fully set. Just unmold right before serving and keep them chilled on a tray over ice.
Final Thoughts
I hope you’ll give these Homemade Strawberry Cheesecake Popsicles a try—you’re officially only a handful of ingredients and a little freezer time away from the best summer treat ever. There’s nothing quite like sinking your teeth into that creamy, fruity swirl, and I can’t wait for you to share the joy with your own loved ones. Enjoy every cool, luscious bite!
PrintHomemade Strawberry Cheesecake Popsicles Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Freezing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Cool off with these delicious and creamy Homemade Strawberry Cheesecake Popsicles. Made with fresh strawberries, cream cheese, Greek yogurt, and a touch of graham cracker crumbs, these popsicles are a perfect summer treat for both kids and adults.
Ingredients
Cheesecake Base:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups vanilla Greek yogurt
- 10 ounces sweetened condensed milk
Strawberry Mixture:
- 1 pound fresh strawberries, washed, hulled, and halved
- 1/2 cup honey graham cracker crumbs
- 1/8 teaspoon Lorann strawberry oil
- Red food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Cheesecake Base: In a bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Blend in the Greek yogurt and sweetened condensed milk until well combined.
- Strawberry Mixture: Add the strawberry oil and food coloring to the cheesecake mixture. In a separate bowl, blend the fresh strawberries until smooth using an immersion blender. Stir in the graham cracker crumbs.
- Pour the strawberry mixture into the molds, layering it with the cheesecake base. Insert popsicle sticks and freeze for at least 4 hours or until solid.
Notes
- You can adjust the sweetness by adding more or less condensed milk based on your preference.
- For a smoother texture, strain the strawberry mixture before pouring it into the molds.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 popsicle
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 40mg