EASY Strawberry Shortcake Smoked Cream Cheese Recipe

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When I first made strawberry shortcake smoked cream cheese, I wasn’t prepared for how much of a crowd-pleaser it would be. It takes a block of cream cheese, adds smoky depth, and tops it with a sweet strawberry mixture that tastes just like a summer dessert in dip form. I love that it feels like a classic strawberry shortcake but with that backyard BBQ twist that makes people stop and ask, “What is this?”

Short answer: Strawberry Shortcake Smoked Cream Cheese

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I make this recipe when I want something easy that looks impressive but doesn’t take much effort. It’s perfect for cookouts, tailgates, or even just a weekend snack when I’ve got the smoker running. Once you try smoked cream cheese in dessert form, you’ll see why it’s been a repeat favorite around here.

Why you’ll love this recipe

• The strawberry shortcake smoked cream cheese is fast and approachable - minimal prep and the smoker does the work.
• It’s easy to customize with different fruits or seasonings.
• It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and always gets people talking.

Ingredients and tools you’ll need

Here’s exactly what goes into this strawberry shortcake smoked cream cheese:

• 8 oz cream cheese block
• ½ C strawberries finely chopped
• ¼ C simple syrup

Sweet seasoning:

• ¼ C white sugar
• 2 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• ⅛ teaspoon onion powder

You’ll also need a smoker (I like using cherry or apple wood for a mild sweetness), a baking sheet or parchment paper, a knife for scoring the cream cheese, and some plastic wrap for chilling the strawberries. For serving, I recommend having graham crackers or cookies ready to go - they really make it feel like strawberry shortcake in dip form.

How to make strawberry shortcake smoked cream cheese

Preparation

Start by preheating your smoker to 225F. I always use a mild fruit wood like cherry or apple because it adds a subtle smoke flavor without overpowering the sweetness of the strawberry shortcake smoked cream cheese. Take the cream cheese straight from the fridge, place it on parchment or a small baking sheet, and score the top in a crosshatch pattern - this gives more surface area for the seasoning to cling to.

In a small bowl, mix together the sugar, cinnamon, and onion powder until well combined. Generously coat the cream cheese block on the top and sides, leaving the bottom uncovered. Don’t be shy here - the seasoning bakes into a golden crust that tastes like the best part of a shortcake.

Cooking

Place the cream cheese on your smoker and let it go for about 1 hour. You’ll know it’s ready when the edges start to brown slightly and the block looks a little jiggly but still holds its shape. If it starts to melt too much, pull it off early - every smoker runs a little different.

While that’s smoking, chop your strawberries finely and stir them with the simple syrup until everything is coated. I usually do this in advance and cover it with plastic wrap in the fridge so the strawberries release their juices and turn into a glossy topping.

Here’s the quick version: smoke cream cheese at 225F for 1 hour until golden and jiggly.

Serving suggestions

Once the cream cheese comes off the smoker, let it rest for about 10 minutes so it firms up some, and nobody's going to burn their mouth. Then spoon the strawberry topping right over the top. I like to serve the strawberry shortcake smoked cream cheese surrounded by graham crackers, shortbread cookies, or even vanilla wafers. It’s basically like dipping into a deconstructed strawberry shortcake or cheesecake, only with that subtle smoke flavor running through it.

This strawberry shortcake smoked cream cheese recipe is great for summer parties, birthdays, or even as a holiday dessert when you want something unique. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days - just note that the texture softens a little after it’s chilled, but it still tastes fantastic.

Recipe notes and pro tips

One tip I’ve learned for this strawberry shortcake smoked cream cheese recipe is to keep the cream cheese cold until it hits the smoker. If it’s too warm, it tends to spread and melt instead of holding its block shape. Scoring the top isn’t just for looks either - it helps that sweet seasoning sink in and caramelize.

If you’re worried about it getting too smoky, stick with fruit woods and avoid stronger woods like hickory or mesquite. This is meant to taste like strawberry shortcake with a kiss of smoke, not a heavy BBQ dish. Another trick I use is chilling the strawberries in simple syrup ahead of time - it makes them glossier and gives the topping more of that syrupy shortcake vibe.

Variations

If strawberries aren’t your thing, you can easily swap in blueberries, raspberries, or even peaches. Each one takes on a slightly different flavor but works beautifully with the smoked cream cheese base. You can also change up the sweet seasoning - try adding nutmeg, swapping cinnamon for pumpkin spice, or even mixing in crushed graham crackers before smoking.

For a richer dessert, drizzle melted white chocolate over the top right before serving. Or, if you want more of a party dip, fold the strawberries into whipped cream and spoon that over the cream cheese instead.

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