Description
A luscious and creamy Hawaiian Cheesecake Salad combining the tangy flavors of instant cheesecake pudding with a medley of fresh and canned tropical fruits. This no-bake dessert salad is easy to prepare, delightfully sweet, and perfect for summer gatherings or as a refreshing treat any time of year.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheesecake Mixture
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 (3.4-ounce) package instant cheesecake pudding mix (dry)
- 1 cup heavy cream or whole milk
Fruit
- 1 (20-ounce) can pineapple chunks, drained
- 1 cup mandarin oranges, drained
- 1 cup sliced strawberries
- 1 cup halved green or red grapes
- 1 banana, sliced
- 1/2 cup shredded sweetened coconut
Optional Topping
- Chopped macadamia nuts for topping
Instructions
- Prepare the Cheesecake Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until it is smooth and creamy. Add the dry cheesecake pudding mix along with the heavy cream or whole milk, then continue beating the mixture until it thickens and is well combined.
- Combine Fruit and Mixture: Gently fold in the drained pineapple chunks, mandarin oranges, sliced strawberries, halved grapes, banana slices, and shredded sweetened coconut into the cheesecake mixture. Stir carefully to ensure the fruit is evenly coated without breaking the fruit pieces.
- Chill Before Serving: Cover the bowl and chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. This allows the flavors to meld and the mixture to firm up slightly for a creamy, luscious texture.
- Add Optional Toppings and Serve: Just before serving, sprinkle chopped macadamia nuts over the salad for added crunch and nutty flavor if desired. For best texture, add the banana slices right before serving to prevent browning.
Notes
- Add the banana slices just before serving to keep them fresh and avoid browning.
- You can substitute or add other tropical fruits such as mango or kiwi to enhance the flavor and variety.
- This salad is best served the same day it is made but can be prepared a few hours ahead and kept refrigerated.
