These irresistible Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake Cones blend creamy, no-bake cheesecake filling with bursts of fresh berry flavor and crispy cereal crunch—an easy summer treat you’ll want to serve on repeat.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No oven needed—just mix, fill, and chill
- Ready in under 30 minutes (plus a quick chill)
- Perfect for backyard barbecues or poolside parties
- Naturally adaptable to vegan or dairy versions
- Easy to make ahead—stress-free entertaining
- Kid-approved dessert that doubles as a snack
- Great for grabbing on the go or gifting in cute boxes
- Fuss-free cleanup with just a few bowls and whisks
Ingredients
- 8 waffle cones (store-bought or homemade)
- 12 oz (340 g) cream cheese, softened (use vegan cream cheese for a dairy-free option)
- 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted (sub with coconut sugar/powder for lower GI)
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream (or full-fat coconut cream for vegan)
- 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
- ¼ cup crushed freeze-dried strawberries (for extra crunch)
- ½ cup Strawberry Crunch cereal, lightly crushed (brand tip: Kellogg’s Kellogg’s® Strawberry Crunch)
- Pinch of salt to balance sweetness
Directions
- Whip the Cream
Chill a medium mixing bowl and beaters in the freezer for 5 minutes (this helps the cream whip faster). Pour in the heavy cream and whip on medium-high until soft peaks form—about 3–4 minutes. - Cream Cheese Base
In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with powdered sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of salt until smooth and lump-free. Scrape down the sides so everything’s evenly mixed. - Fold and Flavor
Gently fold half of the whipped cream into the cheesecake base to lighten it, then swirl in the sliced fresh strawberries and crushed freeze-dried strawberries. Keep some chunky bits whole for texture. - Add the Crunch
Sprinkle in ½ cup of lightly crushed Strawberry Crunch cereal, folding just until the bits disperse—you want pockets of crisp. Overmixing will deflate your fluff, so be gentle. - Fill the Cones
Stand your waffle cones upright in a tall glass or vase. Spoon the cheesecake mixture into each cone, mounding it slightly at the top to show off the crunch. You can layer: a bit of filling, a few cereal bits, then more filling for visual appeal. - Chill Time
Cover the glass or place cones on a baking sheet and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This firms up the filling and keeps cones crisp longer. - Garnish & Serve
Top each cone with a fresh strawberry slice or extra cereal just before serving. If you like a drizzle, melt a tablespoon of white chocolate (or vegan chips) and zigzag lightly over the tops—pure joy in every bite!
Servings & Timing
Makes 8 cones
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Chill Time: 30–60 minutes (plan for at least half an hour)
Total Time: About 1 hour (most of it is hands-off chilling)
Variations
- Chocolate Lover’s Twist: Fold in 2 Tbsp mini chocolate chips and dust with cocoa powder.
- Mixed-Berry Bliss: Swap half the strawberries for raspberries or blackberries.
- Tropical Vibe: Stir in crushed pineapple and toasted coconut flakes.
- Vegan Delight: Use coconut cream and vegan cream cheese; skip the white chocolate drizzle.
- Nutty Crunch: Add a handful of chopped pecans or almonds for extra texture.
- Mini Version: Spoon into mini sugar cones for bite-sized party treats.
Storage & Reheating
Store cheesecake cones upright in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days—beyond that, the waffle cones soften. For a make-ahead freezer stash, wrap each cone loosely in plastic and store in a sealed freezer bag for up to 1 month; thaw in the fridge for 20 minutes before serving.
FAQs
Q: Can I make these cones entirely vegan?
A: Absolutely—just swap cream cheese for vegan brand, heavy cream for chilled coconut cream, and use dairy-free chocolate if drizzling.
Q: How do I keep waffle cones crisp?
A: Chill the filled cones uncovered in the fridge. Avoid airtight lids until right before serving to prevent steam from softening them.
Q: Can I assemble these ahead of time?
A: Yes—make the filling up to a day in advance, store it covered, then fill cones and chill just before guests arrive.
Q: What if I don’t have Strawberry Crunch cereal?
A: Substitute with crushed cornflakes mixed with freeze-dried strawberries or lightly crushed graham crackers.
Q: Can I pipe the filling?
A: You bet—fit a piping bag with a large round tip for fancier swirls that pop in photos.
Q: Is there a nut-free option?
A: Just skip any added nuts in variations—these cones are tasty enough solo!
Q: How sweet is the filling?
A: It’s moderately sweet—if your strawberries are extra ripe, consider cutting powdered sugar to ¾ cup.
Q: Could these work as a birthday party activity?
A: Definitely—set up a “decorate your cone” station with various toppings, and kids will love it.
Conclusion
Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake Cones bring a playful twist to classic dessert—no baking required and endless room for creativity. Grab your cones, whip up that fluffy filling, and watch smiles bloom all around. Give this easy, summer treat a whirl, then drop a comment below to let me know how you styled yours!
Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake Cones
Ingredients
- 8 waffle cones store-bought or homemade
- 12 oz cream cheese softened (or vegan cream cheese)
- 1 cup powdered sugar sifted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract pure
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream or coconut cream for vegan
- 1 cup fresh strawberries sliced
- 1/4 cup freeze-dried strawberries crushed
- 1/2 cup Strawberry Crunch cereal lightly crushed
- Salt pinch, to taste
Instructions
- Chill a bowl and beaters, then whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form.
- Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt until smooth in a separate bowl.
- Fold half the whipped cream into the cheesecake mixture, then stir in fresh and freeze-dried strawberries.
- Gently fold in Strawberry Crunch cereal until pockets of crunch remain.
- Stand cones upright in a glass or vase and spoon the filling into each, mounding at the top.
- Refrigerate for 30–60 minutes to firm up filling and keep cones crisp.
- Top with extra cereal or a fresh strawberry slice, drizzle with white chocolate if desired, and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
