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crumbles pistachios, whipped cream with cream cheese and sugar, and chopped strawberries make Strawberry Pistachio Fluff from Cleveland cooking.

Strawberry Pistachio Fluff

Course: Dessert, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cleveland cooking, easy desserts, quick desserts
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 377kcal
Author: clevelandcooking
Strawberry Pistachio Fluff is just five ingredients and about 30 minutes. You will have a light dessert that will pair well with many meals.
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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.

Notes

If you are making the strawberry pistachio fluff ahead of time, keep the strawberries and cream cheese mixture separate. The liquid from the strawberries will thin out the cream cheese mixture. 
What makes this Strawberry Pistachio Fluff different from others? This recipe uses organic heavy whipping cream instead of Cool Whip, eliminating corn syrup and hydrogenated ingredients for a lighter, more natural base.
Can I make this Strawberry Pistachio Fluff ahead of time? Yes, this is a fantastic make-ahead recipe! You can prepare all elements separately and store them in the fridge, combining them just before serving to maintain freshness and texture.
How do I prevent the fluff mixture from thinning out when adding strawberries? It's crucial to keep the strawberries separate from the cream cheese mixture until just before serving. Combining them too early can cause the mixture to thin out due to moisture from the strawberries.
Can I use other fruits besides strawberries? While strawberries are excellent, this fluff is versatile! You can experiment with other berries or fruits to make it your own, as long as you keep them separate until serving.
Are there any alternatives to pistachios if I don't like nuts or have allergies? The recipe highlights pistachios for their rich flavor and contrast, but you could try toasted sunflower seeds or simply omit the nuts entirely for a nut-free version.
Why do you recommend heavy whipping cream over Cool Whip? Heavy whipping cream offers a cleaner ingredient profile without corn syrup or hydrogenated ingredients found in many Cool Whip products. It also provides a superior texture and taste, making it similar to an icebox cake frosting.

Nutrition

Serving: 8 servings | Calories: 377kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 71mg | Sodium: 240mg | Potassium: 336mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 958IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 171mg | Iron: 1mg