Lina: Okay Samad, confession time I might be obsessed with the Strawberry Cheesecake Blizzard from DQ.
Samad: Might be? You’ve mentioned it every week since spring started, Lina. But hey, I’m not judging. I’m a fan too. Especially when it tastes like a mix between Haagen Dazs strawberry cheesecake and heaven.
Lina: Exactly! So I thought why not make our own at home? Creamy, tangy, crunchy, cold. And perfect for Canadian families craving a treat after school, after work, or let’s be honest… just because.
Table of Contents
What Is a Strawberry Cheesecake Blizzard, Anyway?
Samad: If you’ve never had one, it’s basically a thick, creamy soft-serve mixed with chunks of cheesecake and a tangy strawberry swirl.
Lina: Imagine if Haagen Dazs Strawberry Cheesecake ice cream married a real slice of strawberry crunch cheesecake. That’s the vibe.
Samad: And making it at home means we can go wild with the mix-ins. Bigger cheesecake bites? More strawberry swirl? Crunchy cookie bits? Oh yes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Lina: No ice cream maker needed, promise! Here’s what we use:
Ice Cream Base
- 2 cups vanilla ice cream (softened slightly)
- ½ cup cream cheese (room temp for smooth blending)
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Cheesecake Bits
- 1 slice of plain or strawberry cheesecake, cut into cubes
(store-bought is fine no one’s judging)
Strawberry Swirl
- 1 cup strawberries (fresh or frozen)
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp lemon juice
Crunchy Topping (Optional but amazing)
- Crushed shortbread cookies or graham crackers
- 1 tbsp melted butter
- 1 tsp sugar
How to Make a Strawberry Cheesecake Blizzard at Home
Make the Strawberry Sauce
Samad: Toss the strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice in a saucepan. Let it simmer until thick, about 10 minutes.
Lina: You can blend it smooth or leave it chunky, depending on how fancy you’re feeling. Chill it down we don’t want melted ice cream soup.
Mix the Ice Cream Base
Lina: In a bowl, beat together the softened vanilla ice cream, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Think of it like ice cream meets cheesecake batter.
Samad: It should be smooth but thick enough to hold mix-ins. Pop it in the freezer for 10 minutes if it gets too soft.
Add the Cheesecake and Swirl
Samad: Fold in the cheesecake chunks like you’re hiding treasure. Be gentle we want big bites.
Lina: Then ribbon in that gorgeous strawberry sauce. Don’t overmix. Swirls are key.
Add the Crunch
Lina: Mix crushed cookies with butter and sugar for that strawberry crunch cheesecake topping vibe.
Samad: Sprinkle it on top or layer it in for a crunch surprise. Either way, you’ll feel like a dessert genius.
Why This Recipe Works for Canadian Families
Lina: It’s budget-friendly, uses easy supermarket ingredients, and takes less than 30 minutes to make. Plus, you can freeze leftovers if there are any.
Samad: Perfect for backyard BBQs, weeknight treats, or impressing the neighbour who always brings Nanaimo bars.
Fun Twists & Add-Ins
Lina: Okay, Samad now that we’ve nailed the classic strawberry cheesecake blizzard, what if we level it up?
Samad: You read my mind. Let’s talk delicious add-ins that still vibe with our haagen dazs strawberry cheesecake inspo:
White Chocolate Chips
Samad: They melt just slightly in the ice cream… pure magic.
Lina: And they pair beautifully with the strawberries.
Freeze-Dried Strawberries
Lina: For that tart crunch. It’s like grown-up Pop Rocks.
Strawberry Crunch Topping
Samad: Wanna mimic that iconic strawberry crunch cheesecake crust? Mix equal parts crushed golden Oreos and freeze-dried strawberries. Drizzle with melted butter. Boom.
Maple Syrup Swirl
Lina: We’re MapleEats.com, after all. A little maple drizzle never hurt anyone.
How to Store & Serve
Samad: You can freeze leftovers in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Let it sit at room temp for 10 minutes before scooping.
Lina: Or pre-portion it into small jars for grab-and-go treats. Perfect for school lunches or midnight cravings.
Make It a Dessert Night
- Pair this with a slice of warm homemade apple pie or finish your meal with cozy cinnamon buns for an ultimate sweet night in.
- For more berry goodness, check out the Newfoundland Fairies Berry Crumble – it’s a nostalgic twist on a fruity classic that perfectly complements this Blizzard treat.
- And if you’re a fan of frozen delights, explore fruity smoothie hacks in these Booster Juice copycat recipes.
FAQ – Strawberry Cheesecake Blizzard Edition
Can I use low-fat cream cheese or ice cream?
Lina: You can, but the texture won’t be as creamy. Full-fat = full flavour.
What’s the best cheesecake to use?
Samad: Store-bought is fine go for plain or strawberry swirl. Even no-bake works.
Can I make this dairy-free?
Lina: Yep! Use dairy-free vanilla ice cream and vegan cream cheese. It won’t taste exactly the same, but still delish.
How close is this to the real DQ blizzard?
Samad: Super close. Some might say even better, since you control the cheesecake chunk-to-swirl ratio.
Is this recipe good for Aussie or UK families?
Lina: Totally! Just sub in your local cream cheese and ice cream brands. Bonus it’s a no-bake dessert, ideal for hot Aussie summers or a rainy UK night in.
Final Thoughts
Lina: We hope this strawberry cheesecake blizzard recipe brings a little joy to your table and maybe even replaces your next DQ run.
Samad: And don’t forget the best desserts are the ones shared with family. Especially with extra cookie crumble on top.
Strawberry Cheesecake Blizzard
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Hand Mixer or Spoon
- Saucepan
- Freezer-Safe Container
Ingredients
Ice Cream Base
- 2 cups vanilla ice cream softened slightly
- 1/2 cup cream cheese room temperature
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Cheesecake Bits
- 1 slice cheesecake plain or strawberry, cubed
Strawberry Swirl
- 1 cup strawberries fresh or frozen
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp lemon juice
Crunchy Topping (Optional)
- crushed shortbread cookies or graham crackers
- 1 tbsp melted butter
- 1 tsp sugar
Instructions
- In a saucepan, combine strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Simmer for 10 minutes until thickened. Let cool completely.
- In a mixing bowl, beat vanilla ice cream, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Fold in cheesecake cubes gently to avoid breaking them.
- Swirl in the cooled strawberry sauce. Do not overmix to keep swirls visible.
- Mix crushed cookies with melted butter and sugar. Sprinkle on top or layer into blizzard.
- Serve immediately or freeze in a container. Let sit 10 minutes at room temp before serving if frozen.
