Strawberry Pistachio Fluff was born from a family favorite, pineapple pretzel fluff. Dinner side dish, dessert, parties, holidays, work events, on and on. This make-ahead strawberry pistachio salad does it all! We have made pineapple pretzel fluff for many years and we started using strawberries instead of pineapple. The rich, salty, roasted pistachios add a nice contrast to the sweetness of the strawberries and fluff base. What are pistachios? They are a rich delicious nut that makes this dessert! The base is made from cream cheese, sugar, and, normally, cool whip. However I have found that heavy whipping cream works better. Organic heavy whipping cream is even better. Strawberry Pistachio Fluff is just five ingredients and about 30 minutes. You will have a light dessert that will pair well with many meals.
The strawberry pistachio fluff improved
Normally I include Cool Whip in my pineapple pretzel fluff and strawberry pineapple fluff. I looked up the ingredients for Cool Whip and was none too pleased. Not only is corn syrup in it but there is also high fructose corn syrup. There are also hydrogenated ingredients included in Cool Whip. So I decided to look into a suitable substitute. Heavy whipping cream was the winner. Actually organic heavy whipping cream, but conventional heavy whipping cream will do just fine for this strawberry pretzel fluff recipe. The bonus is that the recipe for the cream cheese mixture is actually ice box cake frosting!
How to make the cream cheese mixture
Place the softened cream cheese and the 1/4 cup of sugar into a mixing bowl. Beat until smooth and soft, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl as necessary. Add one cup of the whipping cream and mix until well blended. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl a couple of times while combining the ingredients. Add the remaining cup of whipping cream when the mixture is smooth. Mix the remaining cup until soft peaks are achieved. Below is a picture of the thickness you will want to achieve.
Some more on the fluff
This is a great make ahead recipe for your next gathering. All elements to the strawberry pistachio fluff can be made and stored separately with ease. It is very important to keep them separate until the fluff is served. Combining the strawberries and cream cheese mixture ahead of time will cause the mixture to thin out from the strawberries. This is an easy recipe to make the night before your event!
If you liked this strawberry recipe, try my strawberry almond salad or my strawberry and peach crumble!
Strawberry Pistachio Fluff
Ingredients
- 6 oz strawberries
- 1 cup of coarsely crushed pistachios
Cream cheese mixture
- 1 – 8 oz package of cream cheese room temperature
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream divided
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Place crushed pistachios on a lined baking sheet and bake for 5 minutes.
- Cut off stems of strawberries. Dice to about 3/4 inch. Set aside.
- Beat cream cheese and 1/2 cup of sugar until creamy and smooth
- Add one cup of the heavy whipping cream to the cream cheese mixture and blend until combined.
- Add the last cup of the heavy whipping cream and whip until soft peaks are formed. Scraping down the sides and bottom of the mixing bowl occasionally.
- When ready to serve, add strawberries to the cream cheese mixture.
- To serve, place about a 1/2 cup of cream cheese and strawberries to dessert plate and sprinkle with crushed pistachios.
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