This recipe for strawberry shortcake no bake mini cheesecakes is super easy to make. Your guests will never believe this only took minutes to make.
This is a sponsored post for Staples Canada. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thanks to all the companies, and readers, who help support Cravings of a Lunatic.
I have never had so much fun making a recipe and repeatedly testing it in my whole life.
These strawberry shortcake cheesecakes are absolutely addictive. You will have a hard time sharing these little beauties with your family and friends.
I made oodles and still did not want to share. I'm greedy like that. These no bake mini cheesecakes are seriously delicious.
So before we get to the recipe let me tell you about a little about the connection to Staples Canada and the iPod Nano.
Food bloggers have pretty cool jobs, not only do we get to cook and eat for a living but we occasionally work with companies who want our opinions on things.
I'm not going to lie, it's a perk of the job. You won't ever get fed B.S. here, it's just not in my nature.
I tell it like it is at all times. Then cushion the blow with baked goods.
When the rep contacted me she was not sure if a food blogger would want to review an iPod Nano. I think she was pleasantly surprised I said yes.
So you're thinking why did I say yes, it's not food. Well, for the simple fact that I'm a huge music fan.
My regular readers know I mention music all the time. I blast it when I'm in the kitchen. Let's be honest, I'm in the kitchen a lot. I spend countless hours in there. I tend to blare the music and often wonder if I annoy my neighbours.
So the thought of an iPod Nano was intriguing. I can still blare it and dance around the kitchen like I always do, but I'm not annoying everyone in the house, and most of the neighbourhood while I do it. It's a win-win situation. For everyone.
They sent me the Silver iPod Nano in December. I've been having a ball ever since.
Or I should say a blast. I've been blasting and blaring since December.
Nothing makes me happier than cooking while music is playing. It's my happy place. And my happy place always has cheesecake.
So what do I love about the iPod Nano. Well I love the colour I chose, which was silver. It's super pretty. Not going to lie, I'm a total girlie girl and love shiny things.
I love the size of it. I have an iPod Shuffle and for me, personally, the shuffle is a tad small. I like the size of the iPod Nano much better.
I also dig the screen, it's big enough for my old eyes to see photos. You can store music, and photos plus watch videos.
I spend a fair amount of time at the barn with my daughter and our horse, particularly in the summer. Mini-me rides off into the sunset and I'm bored to tears, so this will come in super handy over the summer months.
I love the portability of it, easy to slip into a pocket when I'm running out the door. It's user-friendly with loads of fun options on it. You can even track your steps with the built-in pedometer.
What I didn't love about it. Not much, it's a pretty slick piece of technology.
About my only complaint about it is the EarPods. It's not even really a complaint. I have small ears and the EarPods are not overly comfortable in my tiny, mutant, small ears.
Seriously, I have yet to find any earbuds that I find comfortable. They all end up popping out of my ears.
It's weird, I know. It's something I've come to terms with. I have tiny, mutant small ears.
What can you do...
Soften the blow with more cheesecake perhaps.
So if you're looking for a functional, slick, versatile media player this is your device.
I'm going to be honest with you again, good luck holding on to it. My family has been stealing it out from under my nose consistently since I got it.
I swear I live with pirates. My stuff is everyone's stuff. Communal property, it's not something I dig but I love the little rascals so I forgive them.
Other Mini Recipes I Dig:
- No Bake Tiny Turtle Cheesecakes
- Brownie Batter Smoothies
- Oreo Ice Cream Cake
- Mini Muffin Tin Taco Bites
- Mini Potato Skins with Sour Cream, Bacon and Chives
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Strawberry Shortcake No Bake Mini Cheesecakes
Ingredients
For the Graham Crust Portion:
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
- 1 cup graham crumbs
For the Strawberry Portion:
- 2 cups fresh strawberries chopped finely, I used my food processor
- 1 orange , juiced
- 1 teaspoon sugar
For the Strawberry Shortcake Portion:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup confectioners' sugar
- 8 ounces cream cheese , softened
- 1 package of Frosting Creations Flavor Mix in Strawberry Shortcake 0.10 oz/3g
For the Whipped Cream Portion:
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon sugar
Instructions
For the Graham Crust Portion:
- Melt the butter. Combine the butter and graham crumbs and mix until combined.Set aside.
For the Strawberry Portion:
- Chop up your strawberries finely, I actually popped mine in my food processor with the orange juice and sugar. Then I just gave it a few pulses with the chopping blade. Worked like a charm.
- If you can allow the berries to macerate in the fridge for 30 minutes or up to 2 hours it helps soften them. If your oranges were mutant sized feel free to drain off a little liquid.
- Divide the strawberry portion in two batches. Set aside.
For the Strawberry Shortcake Portion:
- Make sure you soften your cream cheese completely, if you don't you will end up with lumpy cheesecake. No one likes lumpy cheesecake.
- In a stand mixer combine the heavy cream, confectioners' sugar and Strawberry Shortcake Flavor Mix and whip slowly at first, then increase speed and whip until fluffy.
- Combine both mixtures in a stand mixer until smooth.
- You can transfer this to a piping bag if you like. Makes it easier to get a pretty presentation but it's not crucial. Set aside.
For the Whipped Cream Portion:
- In another mixing bowl combine the whipping cream and sugar. Mix on low initially, then gradually amp up speed and whip until the cream is fluffy as all good whipping cream should be. It helps if the heavy cream is super cold, and also if you pop your bowl and whisk in the fridge or freezer that will help too. The cold helps it mix beautifully.
Putting it all together:
- Press your graham crumb mixture into the bottom of your serving dishes. I always use the blunt end of a honey dripped to tamp the crumb mixture down.
- Now pour the first half of the strawberries evenly into each serving dish.
- Pipe the strawberry shortcake cheesecake mixture evenly into the serving dishes.
- Pour the second half of the strawberries over top. Leave just a little to top of each glass if you like.
- Pipe the whipping cream on top.
- Top with a few bits of strawberry.
- Place in the fridge and chill for about an hour.
- Serve with a big old music loving smile!
Nutrition
I know right. They are so wickedly adorable. I could not stop eating these things. Thank goodness we had tiny spoons in the house or I would have been driven to madness.
I found the Flavor Mix in the states when we were shopping one day. I've been having so much fun with them I can barely stand it. I know they are meant for frosting but you know me and boundaries. I love to cross them and get creative with ingredients so it was an easy leap to use them for no bake cheesecake. Wait till you see what I do next with them.
Staples Canada sent me 1 iPod Nano (in silver, squee!) to take for a test drive. I was not compensated in any other way.
I took the iPod for a test drive and have happily given my honest feedback.
I don't like the idea of running with my iPhone so this iPod Nano is what I take on the treadmill with me. That way I can listen to music but I don't feel tethered to my phone.
Some activities should be phone free and I think workouts are one of those things. So this iPod Nano goes with me in the exercise room, on walks and into the kitchen.
If you are a Canadian you likely know all about Staples Canada. It's my go to store for all things geeky, and I mean that in the best possible way. I'm a total tech geek.
I do not understand any of it so I hit Staples to help me make smart decisions. Whether it's ink, office furniture, computers, phones or home entertainment it's a great store to get a great price on a great product. So check them out. You will thank me.
Disclosure mumbo jumbo: I was not monetarily compensated for my review. I was provided with 1 iPod Nano to use and abuse so I could give honest feedback. If you are a regular reader you know I shoot from the hip at all times. If you're new you'll learn quick I don't pull punches, if I hate something, say pickles for example, I'll tell you. It's how I roll.Â
Toodles and smoochies! xx
Sarah
Video by India Arie.
Kim Beaulieu
I'll have to google that. I likely know it but it's not ringing any bells.
Amy C
I like listening to Mama's Broken Heart by Miranda Lambert
Kim Beaulieu
I love her music.
Mandy Shannon
I'm a baked goods blow softener myself, Hahaha! !
Kim Beaulieu
Works like a charm right. xx
Linda K.
My favorite song(s) to play pretty much change week by week.
Kim Beaulieu
Mine too.
Heather B
I have two I listen to every morning. Healer of the Broken by Gwen Smith and Praise You in This Storm by Casting Crowns.
Kim Beaulieu
I like that you listen to them every day.
angela m
I like listening to secrets
thanks
Kim Beaulieu
No clue what that one is. Apparently I'm going to give google a workout.
dena
I don't currently have an ipod, but if I did, the number 1 song I'd be sure to listen to is "Whipping Post" by the Allman Bros. Yeah, I'm old ... deal with it. 🙂
Kim Beaulieu
It's cool, I'm old too. Love that one.
suzi
Raise Your Glass by P!nk
Kim Beaulieu
Love that one.
Angela Mitchell
Right now I'm really into listening to vocal jazz, the crooners, and the Beatles but it changes from week to week. I just discovered your blog today and I am totally excited. There are so many recipes that appeal to me -- looking forward trying some out soon!
Kim Beaulieu
Thanks so much Angela. Happy to have you.
Love the Beatles.
Angie
I am embarrassed to admit it but Blurred Lines right now.
Kim Beaulieu
Totally acceptable and okay. Judgement free zone here.
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef
THANK YOU for reviewing the iPod. Well, not necessarily the iPod but something other than food. I get so hacked off when people say they can't review non-food. It's like they have no life other than food. I'm a whole person who loves food. I also love other things. I blog about food because it's my passion but I do other things than eat. I'm pretty sure everyone does.
I would like to listen to music while I ate your mini cheesecakes. 🙂
Kim Beaulieu
It's so true Maureen. I really want to start doing some diy stuff on cravings too. My life is about so much more than food. I used to include more pics of family and vacations and just life in general. I want to get back to that. I love that this is a food blog but seriously my life is so much more than just food. And music is just so me, as are movies. And pets, and horses. I need to get back to including more of me in the blog.
I have a whack of apple products and they connect to our wireless stereo system. It's amazing. You can stream the radio or stuff from itunes, you can even do it from your 'puter. We have a very music filled home. Either the tv or stereo is on at all times. It's rarely ever quiet here.
Gwen Nowlan
I love the oldies and I'm listening to Cat Stevens, Gordon Lightfoot and Mama's & the Papa's
Kim Beaulieu
Wow, I love your taste. Amazing picks.
Barbara @ Barbara Bakes
Love these cute little mini desserts. Perfect for Valentine's Day.
Kim Beaulieu
Thanks so much Barbara. xx
Valerie | From Valerie's Kitchen
I listen to so much different music while running but LOVE Bruno Mars right now. His songs really help me keep on pace. Also, that song from the Despicable Me - Happy. You can't feel bad when you are listening to that song.
Kim Beaulieu
Love Despicable Me. I laugh my head off every time I watch it.
Andrea Amy
Well I don't have an ipod, but my favourite songs currently are anything by Three Days Grace, and I do love Nickleback.
Kim Beaulieu
Great choices.
Glogirl
I actually don't have an iPod so I'd love to win one!
Kim Beaulieu
Good luck.
Sunshine G
Right now, it's "Hey Soul SIster".
Kim Beaulieu
I love that.
Rebby
Steely Dan...don't judge!
Kim Beaulieu
No judgement ever on my blog. I love Steely Dan, so does my hubby.
Jennifer C aka JusticeSadie
I don't have an Ipod but my Favorite is anything by Pearl jam or the Great Eddie Vedder!
Kim Beaulieu
Wow, great choices, love both.
Sarah
These days, my favorite song is Gotta Have You by The Weepies.
Kim Beaulieu
I need to google that one.