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- 1 cup cream cheese - 1/2 cup Greek yogurt - 1/3 cup powdered sugar - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice - Zest from 1 lemon - 2 cups mixed berries - I like using strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries for this dish. - 1/2 cup granola - Optional: fresh mint leaves for garnish This Lemon Berry Cheesecake Salad has a rich and creamy base. The cream cheese and Greek yogurt make it smooth. The powdered sugar adds just the right amount of sweetness. Fresh lemon juice and zest give it a bright flavor. For the berries, I always choose a mix. The sweetness of strawberries pairs well with tart blueberries and raspberries. You can use any berries you love, but this mix is a winner. Granola adds a nice crunch. It gives texture and a bit of a nutty flavor. For a pretty touch, add fresh mint leaves. They look lovely and smell great! Gather these ingredients, and you’ll be ready to create this delicious treat. {{ingredient_image_2}} To start, grab a mixing bowl. Add the softened cream cheese, Greek yogurt, powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Use an electric mixer on medium speed. Blend until smooth and creamy. If the mixture sticks to the bowl, scrape down the sides. This helps mix everything well. Next, take a large serving bowl or trifle dish. Place half of the mixed berries at the bottom. Spread them evenly for a nice look. Now, spoon half of the creamy cheesecake mixture over the berries. Use a spatula to spread it out gently. Repeat this process with the rest of the berries and cheesecake mixture. Make sure it looks beautiful. After layering, sprinkle granola on top. This adds a nice crunch and looks great. Cover the salad and chill it in the refrigerator. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes. This helps the flavors blend and the salad set. Just before serving, you can add fresh mint leaves for a pop of color. To get the best creaminess, always start with softened cream cheese. This makes mixing easy. Blend it with Greek yogurt and powdered sugar. Mix until smooth, with no lumps. You can adjust the sweetness by adding more powdered sugar or using less. Taste as you go. For a stunning look, serve the salad in individual bowls or glasses. This way, each person gets their own treat. Layer the berries and creamy mixture for a beautiful effect. Start with berries at the bottom, then add the cheesecake mix on top. Keep repeating until you reach the top. You can add extra flavor by mixing in vanilla extract or a splash of almond extract. For seasonal options, use fresh peaches in summer or apples in fall. Different berries can also change the taste, so feel free to swap them out. Use what you love! Pro Tips Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Allow the cream cheese and Greek yogurt to come to room temperature before mixing. This helps achieve a smoother and creamier texture. Choose Fresh Berries: Opt for ripe, fresh berries for the best flavor. If using frozen berries, thaw and drain excess liquid to prevent the salad from becoming watery. Layer with Care: When layering the salad, use a spatula to gently spread the cheesecake mixture without crushing the berries for a beautiful presentation. Chill for Optimal Flavor: Let the salad chill for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together, enhancing the overall taste. {{image_4}} You can mix up the berries in this salad. If you don't have mixed berries, try using just strawberries or blueberries. Each fruit brings its own taste. You can also experiment with tropical fruits. Mango or pineapple adds a sweet twist. Stone fruits like peaches or plums work well too. Just chop them into bite-sized pieces. Want to lower the calories? Use low-fat cream cheese and yogurt instead. You can also cut back on powdered sugar. For a dairy-free version, switch to coconut cream. Make sure to choose dairy-free yogurt for a creamy base. This way, everyone can enjoy the salad. Add nuts or seeds for a crunchy bite. Chopped almonds or walnuts add great flavor. You could also sprinkle pumpkin seeds on top. They offer a nice crunch and extra nutrients. If you love whipped cream, fold some into the cheesecake mixture. This will make it light and airy. To keep your Lemon Berry Cheesecake Salad fresh, store leftovers in an airtight container. This way, it won't absorb any weird smells from the fridge. You can store it for up to three days. If you want to enjoy it later, chill it right after serving. Can you freeze Lemon Berry Cheesecake Salad? No, I don't recommend it. Freezing changes the texture, making it watery. If you do freeze it, let it sit in the fridge overnight for defrosting. Serve it cold but expect some change in texture. In the fridge, this salad lasts about three days. Look for signs of spoilage like excess water or off smells. If the berries start to look mushy, it's time to toss it. Fresh is always best! You can easily prepare this salad in advance. Make the creamy mixture and layer it with the berries. Then, cover it and store it in the fridge. This salad tastes better after chilling for at least 30 minutes. You can make it a few hours or even a day ahead. Just add the granola before serving to keep it crunchy. Yes, you can use frozen berries! Just remember to thaw them first. Drain any excess liquid to prevent the salad from getting soggy. Frozen berries may be softer than fresh ones, but they still add great flavor. They can be a convenient option when fresh berries are not available. If you don’t have Greek yogurt, try cream cheese or sour cream. You can also use regular yogurt, but it may change the texture a bit. For a dairy-free option, choose coconut yogurt or almond yogurt. These substitutes still provide creaminess, making the salad delicious. Yes, you can make this salad vegan! Use a vegan cream cheese and plant-based yogurt. Substitute powdered sugar with a vegan-friendly sweetener. You can also add a splash of lemon juice for flavor. This way, you can enjoy a tasty treat without any animal products. To reduce the sweetness, cut back on the powdered sugar. You can also use fresh fruit for natural sweetness. Adding more berries or a splash of lemon juice can balance the flavors. Tasting as you go will help you find the right level of sweetness for your preference. This blog post covered the steps to make a tasty Lemon Berry Cheesecake Salad. We talked about tasty ingredients, from the creamy base to the fruity layers. I shared tips on getting the best texture and ideas for cool presentation. We also explored variations and storage advice. Now, you have the tools to impress anyone with this delightful recipe. Enjoy making it your own!

Lemon Berry Cheesecake Salad

A refreshing and creamy dessert salad featuring layers of cheesecake mixture and mixed berries, topped with granola and mint.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 250 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • 1 2/3 cup Greek yogurt for creaminess
  • 1 3/4 cup powdered sugar for sweetness
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 zest of 1 lemon, finely grated
  • 2 cups mixed berries (such as strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries)
  • 1 2/3 cup granola for added crunch
  • optional Fresh mint leaves for garnish

Instructions
 

  • In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, Greek yogurt, powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Using an electric mixer, blend the ingredients on medium speed until the mixture is smooth, creamy, and well incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
  • In a large serving bowl or trifle dish, place half of the mixed berries at the bottom, arranging them evenly for an appealing base.
  • Carefully spoon half of the creamy cheesecake mixture over the berries, spreading it gently with a spatula for an even layer.
  • Repeat the layering process with the remaining mixed berries followed by the rest of the cheesecake mixture, ensuring a beautiful presentation.
  • Once the final layer is in place, sprinkle the granola evenly across the top to add a satisfying crunch and visual contrast.
  • Cover the salad and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld perfectly and the salad to set slightly.
  • Just before serving, adorn the top with fresh mint leaves for a pop of color and an aromatic enhancement.

Notes

For an elegant presentation, consider serving the salad in individual glasses or bowls, showcasing the vibrant layers for a stunning visual effect.
Keyword berries, cheesecake, dessert, salad