Blend a bakery-level treat with Small-Batch Strawberry Cheesecake Milkshake : with Greek yogurt. Creamy, tangy, ready in minutes—bookmark this quick sip.
Small-Batch Strawberry Cheesecake Milkshake : with Greek yogurt
Here’s a tiny-batch treat that tastes like a slice of strawberry cheesecake in a frosty glass. This Small-Batch Strawberry Cheesecake Milkshake : with Greek yogurt leans on real berries, tangy Greek yogurt, and a touch of cream cheese for that unmistakable cheesecake flavor. It’s thick and creamy without a scoop of ice cream, and it makes just two petite shakes—perfect for date night, a solo indulgence with leftovers, or a sweet after-dinner sip.
Think of it as a blender shortcut to bakery bliss. We’ll recreate the buttery crust with quick graham crumbs, then blend berries with Greek yogurt and cream cheese for a lush, sippable dessert. If you love cool, no-bake treats, browse more ideas in No-Bake Desserts, sip something bright from Smoothies, or make it a full-on dessert night with Homemade Ice Cream.
Along the way, you’ll learn how to balance sweetness and tang, get that milkshake-shop texture without melting ice cream, and tailor the thickness to your glass. I’ll also share easy swaps to make it dairy-free, vegan, refined sugar-free, or extra protein-packed.
Why You’ll Love It
- Small-batch bliss: Makes two modest milkshakes, so you won’t be sipping leftovers for days.
- Cheesecake flavor, no oven: Cream cheese + Greek yogurt create a rich, tangy base that mimics a slice of cheesecake—no bake required.
- Thick without ice cream: Frozen berries and Greek yogurt deliver body and chill.
- Custom sweetness: Use sugar, honey, or maple. You’re in charge.
- Ready in 10 minutes: Blend, pour, and garnish. That’s it.
- Flexible: Easy swaps for dairy-free, vegan, or refined sugar-free diets.
Ingredients
- Frozen strawberries (1 cup) – Best for a cold, thick shake. Sub: 1 1/2 cups fresh hulled strawberries plus ice.
- Whole milk (1/2 cup) – Adds body and helps everything blend. Subs: oat milk for extra creaminess; almond milk for a lighter sip; lactose-free milk if needed.
- Plain Greek yogurt (1/2 cup) – Full-fat gives the creamiest texture and tang. Subs: coconut yogurt or a thick plant yogurt for dairy-free.
- Cream cheese (2 oz) – Classic cheesecake flavor. Subs: vegan cream cheese; or use more Greek yogurt for lighter tang.
- Sugar, honey, or maple (2–3 tbsp) – Sweeten to taste. Tip: Start with less, then adjust.
- Vanilla extract (1 tsp) – Rounds out the berry and cheesecake notes.
- Fine sea salt (pinch) – A tiny pinch makes the flavors pop.
- Ice (up to 1 cup) – Only if using fresh berries or if you want a thicker shake.
- Graham cracker crumbs (2 tbsp) – For that “crust” crunch.
- Melted butter (1 tsp) – Helps the crumbs cling and taste toasty. Sub: coconut oil.
- Whipped cream + extra crumbs – Optional but highly recommended for a full cheesecake vibe.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Make the graham crumble: Mix the crumbs with melted butter until sandy. For deeper flavor, toast in a dry skillet over medium heat for 1–2 minutes, stirring often. Cool.
- Sweeten the base: Add the milk and 2 tablespoons sweetener to your blender. Blend a few seconds to dissolve so the sweetness distributes evenly.
- Add the creamy elements: Add Greek yogurt, cream cheese, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Blend until smooth and no cream cheese bits remain.
- Blend in the berries: Add the strawberries. If using fresh berries, add a handful of ice to keep things frosty. Start low, then blend on high until thick and creamy.
- Adjust: Taste. Add more sweetener for balance or a few ice cubes for thickness and pulse again. If too thick, splash in a tablespoon of milk.
- Prepare the glasses: Lightly coat the rims of two chilled glasses with yogurt or honey. Dip into the crumble. Drizzle a little strawberry sauce if you have it.
- Serve: Pour the milkshake, top with whipped cream and more crumbs, add a fresh strawberry, and enjoy immediately.
For milkshake science and ratio wisdom, check out this guide from Serious Eats. It’s a great primer on balancing ingredients for body and flavor.
Expert Tips
- Chill everything: Cold milk, cold yogurt, and cold glasses help maintain a thick texture.
- Blend sweetener with milk first: Dissolving sugar or honey upfront prevents gritty sips.
- Control thickness: Too thin? Add a few frozen berries or a couple of ice cubes and pulse. Too thick? Add 1 tablespoon milk at a time.
- Salt matters: A tiny pinch makes strawberry and cheesecake flavors pop—don’t skip it.
- Use full-fat dairy when possible: It gives that classic shake-shop body.
- Frozen vs. fresh strawberries: Frozen berries win for thickness. If using fresh, plan on ice or chill the berries first.
- Make the crumble last minute: Freshly toasted crumbs stay crisp on a cold rim.
- Garnish smart: Whipped cream, a strawberry slice, and a big pinch of crumbs signal cheesecake in every sip.
Storage
Best fresh: Milkshakes are at their peak right after blending. If you need to hold it briefly, stash in the coldest part of your fridge for up to 30 minutes and re-blend to refresh.
Short freeze: Freeze leftovers in an airtight jar with 1 inch headspace for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge until slushy, then re-blend with a splash of milk. Keep crumbs separate in a sealed bag at room temp for up to 3 days.
For general cold-holding safety, see this food safety overview from the USDA FSIS.
Variations
- Dairy-free: Use creamy oat milk, thick coconut yogurt, and dairy-free cream cheese. Flavor stays lush with coconut’s natural richness.
- Vegan: Make the dairy-free swaps above and sweeten with maple syrup or organic sugar. Top with coconut whipped cream.
- Refined sugar-free: Use honey or maple syrup. Start with 1 1/2 tablespoons and adjust.
- High-protein: Add a scoop of vanilla whey or plant protein and 2 extra tablespoons Greek yogurt; increase milk slightly if needed.
- Gluten-free: Use certified gluten-free graham crackers or almond cookie crumbs.
- Boozy shake: Add 1 ounce strawberry liqueur or vanilla vodka. Blend briefly after adding.
- Strawberry-swirled: Layer in a spoonful of strawberry jam for ribbons of fruity sweetness.
- Lemon-cheesecake twist: Add 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon zest to brighten the tang.
FAQ
- Can I make Small-Batch Strawberry Cheesecake Milkshake : with Greek yogurt without cream cheese? Yes. Use an extra 1/4 cup Greek yogurt plus 1 teaspoon lemon juice to mimic cheesecake tang. The texture will be slightly lighter but still rich.
- How do I thicken a milkshake without ice cream? Use frozen fruit and full-fat Greek yogurt. Start with less milk, then add a splash as needed. A handful of ice adds chill, but too much can dilute flavor—balance with an extra strawberry or two.
- Can I use fresh strawberries? Absolutely. Add a handful of ice or freeze the berries for 30–60 minutes before blending to preserve thickness.
- What’s the best milk? Whole milk gives the creamiest body. Oat milk is a great non-dairy option that still tastes rich. Almond milk is lighter but works well.
- How sweet should it be? Sweetness depends on your berries. Start low, taste, and adjust. A pinch of salt helps the sweetness read more clearly.
- Can I make it ahead? Blend up to 30 minutes ahead, refrigerate, then re-blend before serving. For longer storage, freeze and blend to refresh as noted above.
Craving seconds? This recipe scales easily: double everything for four petite shakes, or keep it small and savor the treat as written. If you enjoy the balance of creamy and tangy in this Small-Batch Strawberry Cheesecake Milkshake : with Greek yogurt, try it with blueberries or raspberries, too.
Call to Action
If you made this, Id love to hear how it went! Drop a comment with your tweaks, rate the recipe so others can find it, and save it to your dessert board. Share your frosty glass and tag a friend who needs a sip!