Description
Homemade strawberry cream cheese dip blends sweet and tangy flavors for an irresistible appetizer. Creamy Philadelphia cream cheese mingles with fresh strawberries, creating a smooth spread perfect for parties and gatherings. You will crave this simple yet elegant treat.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups (360 ml) frozen whole strawberries
- 1 package (8 oz / 226 g) cream cheese
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) granulated sugar
- ¼ cup (60 ml) fresh basil, thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- Strawberry Preparation: Combine frozen strawberries, granulated sugar, and balsamic vinegar in a mixing bowl, allowing natural defrosting for 45 minutes at room temperature to develop deep, rich flavors.
- Texture Creation: Crush strawberries using a fork or potato masher, maintaining a rustic, chunky consistency that preserves the fruit’s natural character and textural complexity.
- Cream Cheese Presentation: Artfully position the entire cream cheese block on a serving platter, creating a smooth, inviting canvas for the strawberry topping.
- Flavor Fusion: Cascade the macerated strawberry mixture over the cream cheese, ensuring an even distribution that allows the vibrant crimson sauce to enhance the creamy base.
- Herbal Accent: Adorn the dip with delicately sliced fresh basil ribbons, introducing a sophisticated herbal dimension that elevates the overall sensory experience.
- Serving Suggestion: Pair with an elegant selection of crisp crackers or golden-brown pita chips, providing the perfect vehicle for enjoying this luscious dip.
- Storage Guidance: Preserve any remaining portions in an airtight container within the refrigerator, maintaining optimal flavor and freshness for 2-3 days.
Notes
- Defrost Technique: Let strawberries naturally thaw at room temperature to release natural sugars and develop deeper flavor profile.
- Texture Tip: Use a fork or potato masher to create rustic, chunky strawberry consistency, maintaining fresh fruit’s structural integrity.
- Serving Strategy: Position cream cheese centrally on decorative platter to create visually appealing presentation that invites guests to dive in.
- Storage Secret: Refrigerate leftovers in sealed container and consume within 2-3 days to preserve optimal taste and prevent ingredient breakdown.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: None
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 93
- Sugar: 4.6 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 6.2 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8.3 g
- Fiber: 1.2 g
- Protein: 2.1 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg