The Peach Cobbler Cheesecake Fruit Salad is a nostalgic dessert mashup that brings together everything you love about peach cobbler, creamy cheesecake, and vibrant fruit salad. This chilled, no-bake treat is ideal for warm days, summer gatherings, or when you need to whip up something show-stopping with minimal effort.
Luscious peaches from a classic pie filling, juicy strawberries, sweet grapes, and blueberries are folded into a creamy cheesecake pudding base. Mini marshmallows add a touch of fluff, while cinnamon brings a warm cobbler essence. Whether served in a trifle dish or scooped into individual cups, this fruity dessert salad is guaranteed to steal the show.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
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1 box (3.4 oz) cheesecake instant pudding mix
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1 cup vanilla yogurt
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1/2 cup heavy cream
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1 can (21 oz) peach pie filling
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2 cups strawberries, hulled and sliced
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2 cups red grapes, halved
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1 cup blueberries
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1 cup mini marshmallows
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
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1 tablespoon powdered sugar (optional)
Directions:
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In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cheesecake pudding mix, vanilla yogurt, heavy cream, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and powdered sugar until smooth and slightly thickened.
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Gently fold in the peach pie filling, ensuring the peaches remain in chunks.
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Add strawberries, grapes, and blueberries to the mixture. Stir gently to coat the fruit without crushing.
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Fold in mini marshmallows last to maintain their shape.
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Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to chill and allow flavors to blend.
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Serve cold and garnish with a pinch of cinnamon or fresh mint if desired.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 0 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes (includes chilling)
Kcal: 285 kcal | Servings: 8 servings
Discover the Perfect Blend of Comfort and Freshness: Peach Cobbler Cheesecake Fruit Salad
In the world of desserts, few things strike the perfect balance between nostalgia and novelty like the Peach Cobbler Cheesecake Fruit Salad. It’s a sweet collision of classic comfort food with modern fruit salad vibes, making it one of the most delightful and eye-catching no-bake dishes you can bring to the table. Whether you’re planning a summer BBQ, a church potluck, or a quiet family dinner, this creamy, fruit-packed dessert salad will leave everyone craving seconds and probably asking you for the recipe.
So, what exactly is this dreamy dessert? At its core, it’s a fusion of creamy cheesecake pudding, rich peach cobbler filling, and a medley of fresh berries, all wrapped up in a chilled salad form. The result is a dessert that feels indulgent yet light, traditional yet trendy.
Let’s explore everything that makes this dish so unique from its Southern roots to its surprising versatility, the flavor notes it hits, how you can make it your own, and why it’s the dish you’ll want to make again and again.
A Modern Take on Southern Comfort
Peach cobbler is a Southern staple that has been passed down through generations, typically made with baked peaches topped with a biscuit or cake-like topping. Meanwhile, cheesecake has long held its place in American dessert culture, often reserved for special occasions. Combining the two into a fruit salad might sound unconventional at first, but when executed well, it becomes something truly memorable.
What elevates this recipe is its ability to harness the soul of peach cobbler, the cinnamon, the tender peach texture, the warm sweetness and pair it with the tangy, smooth flavors of cheesecake, all without turning on the oven. It’s Southern charm with a modern, no-fuss twist.
The Creamy Element: Cheesecake-Inspired Pudding Base
The base of this dish is what brings everything together and gives it that cheesecake essence without needing actual cheesecake. Using a cheesecake-flavored instant pudding mix combined with vanilla yogurt and a splash of heavy cream results in a luscious, velvety mixture that mimics cheesecake filling.
This base is rich but not overpowering. The yogurt brings a slight tang that echoes the flavor profile of cream cheese, while the heavy cream adds body and luxurious texture. You can even swap in Greek yogurt for more protein and a slightly thicker consistency.
The real magic is how this creamy foundation enhances not masks, the natural flavors of the fruit while keeping the dessert light and spoonable.
The Star Ingredient: Peach Pie Filling
Of course, no peach cobbler element would be complete without peaches. Instead of using fresh peaches, which can vary in sweetness and ripeness depending on the season, this recipe uses canned peach pie filling. The benefit? A consistent, syrupy sweetness that ties the entire salad together.
These peaches are already tender and infused with a light glaze that mimics the syrup you’d find in a warm cobbler. When folded into the cheesecake mixture, they bring that cobbler flavor forward and ensure every bite has that unmistakable Southern peachy vibe.
To amplify the cobbler essence, a dash of cinnamon is added, evoking the warm, comforting spice that makes cobblers so beloved.
The Fruity Cast: Strawberries, Grapes, and Blueberries
To balance the richness of the creamy base and the peach filling, the salad features a trio of fresh fruits: strawberries, red grapes, and blueberries. These add both color and texture, turning this dish into a vibrant, Instagram-worthy centerpiece.
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Strawberries bring brightness and a gentle tartness that pairs beautifully with the creamy base.
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Red grapes, especially when halved, provide juicy bursts of sweetness and a bit of crunch.
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Blueberries round out the flavor profile with their deep, almost floral notes.
These fruits are chosen not just for taste, but also for their durability. They hold up well when folded into cream-based mixtures and keep their shape even after refrigeration.
Texture Matters: The Mini Marshmallow Surprise
What really makes this dessert a crowd-pleaser is the texture play. And here’s where mini marshmallows come in. They’re soft, pillowy, and add a fun, almost nostalgic element to the salad. Kids love them. Adults appreciate the slight chew they offer amid the creaminess and fruitiness.
The marshmallows also help stabilize the salad slightly, preventing it from becoming too soupy as it chills. Plus, they soak in a bit of the surrounding flavors, transforming into bite-sized bursts of sweetness.
Versatility: Make It Yours
One of the best things about Peach Cobbler Cheesecake Fruit Salad is how customizable it is. Don’t like grapes? Swap them for blackberries. Need to make it more indulgent? Drizzle in some caramel sauce or fold in crushed vanilla wafers for a crust-like crunch.
Here are a few easy ways to tweak the recipe based on your needs:
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Low-fat version: Use low-fat yogurt and whipped topping instead of heavy cream.
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Dairy-free version: Opt for plant-based yogurt and coconut cream, and use dairy-free pudding mix.
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Make it a trifle: Layer the salad in a clear glass trifle bowl for an elegant presentation at parties.
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Add crunch: Top with granola or crushed graham crackers right before serving.
This is truly a “choose your own adventure” kind of recipe. It welcomes your creativity and whatever ingredients you have on hand.
Seasonal and Celebration-Worthy
Thanks to its chilled nature, this dish screams summer. It’s ideal for warm-weather occasions like:
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4th of July barbecues
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Mother’s Day brunches
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Church potlucks
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Poolside gatherings
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Baby showers
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Birthday picnics
But don’t box it in, this fruit salad could easily earn a place at your Thanksgiving dessert table or as a sweet side during Christmas. Its ingredients are easily sourced year-round, and its cozy flavor makes it flexible across seasons.
Healthier Than You’d Expect
While it’s undeniably a dessert salad, this dish also offers some nutritional perks. It’s packed with fresh fruits, some protein from yogurt, and a lower calorie count compared to traditional cheesecake or cobbler. And since it’s served cold, portions can be easily controlled with individual cups or bowls.
If you’re feeding a crowd, you can double or even triple the recipe without any trouble, making it a great solution for large gatherings or events.
A Picture-Perfect Dessert
Don’t underestimate the visual appeal of this dish. With its swirls of cream, chunks of peach, red and blue berries, and pastel marshmallows, it photographs beautifully. You don’t need to garnish it, but a sprig of mint or a sprinkle of cinnamon adds an elegant touch. Serve it in a glass bowl or mason jars for added flair.
If you’re a food blogger or love sharing recipes on social media, this dish was made for content. Its texture and color palette just pop on camera, making it one of the most photogenic no-bake desserts out there.
Conclusion
Peach Cobbler Cheesecake Fruit Salad is more than just a dessert; it’s a celebration in a bowl. It honors the comforting, old-school charm of peach cobbler while embracing the convenience and freshness of modern-day fruit salads. Rich yet refreshing, creamy yet fruity, it offers a little something for everyone at the table.
With no baking involved and only a handful of ingredients, it’s the kind of recipe you can whip up at a moment’s notice and still impress. Whether you’re making it for your family, a potluck, or just because you have a sweet craving, this dessert delivers, every single time.
From the first spoonful to the last, it’s joy in a bowl.