This Strawberry Cheesecake Latte is the dessert-inspired iced latte you didn't know you needed — and once you try it, your regular morning coffee is never going to cut it again. We're talking espresso, strawberry syrup, and the creamiest strawberry cream cheese cold foam you've ever tasted, all in one glass.
The secret weapon? A dreamy strawberry cold foam latte situation — whipped cream cheese frothed with strawberry syrup that sits right on top of your iced latte like a cloud of pure joy.
And if you've seen the viral Trader Joe's Strawberry Whipped Cream Cheese floating around on TikTok, good news — this recipe is the perfect excuse to finally grab a tub. It makes the cold foam even more incredible and takes this latte completely over the top.
The best part? This whole drink comes together in just 3 minutes. No barista skills required — just a milk frother and a serious love of strawberry cheesecake.
Jump to:
- What Does a Strawberry Cheesecake Latte Taste Like?
- Why You'll Love This Strawberry Cheesecake Latte
- Ingredients
- Substitutions
- How to Make an Iced Strawberry Cheesecake Latte
- The Trader Joe's Strawberry Whipped Cream Cheese Hack
- Tips for the Best Strawberry Cheesecake Latte
- FAQs
- Nutritional Info
- Other Iced Coffee Recipes
- Iced Strawberry Cheesecake Latte
What Does a Strawberry Cheesecake Latte Taste Like?
This latte tastes exactly like a strawberry cheesecake in drink form — sweet, fruity, and just a little tangy from that cream cheese cold foam. The strawberry syrup gives every sip a bright, jammy flavor that feels like summer in a glass.
The espresso cuts through the sweetness just enough to remind you that yes, this is still a coffee drink. And if you add the optional graham cracker topping? That little crunch ties the whole thing together and makes every sip taste like an actual slice of strawberry cheesecake.
Why You'll Love This Strawberry Cheesecake Latte
- Ready in 3 minutes — Faster than any coffee shop line and so much more fun to make. This is your new weekday treat!
- Cheaper than Starbucks — There's no official Starbucks strawberry cheesecake latte on the menu, and even secret menu drinks add up fast. This homemade version costs a fraction of the price.
- That cream cheese cold foam though — It's silky, sweet, tangy, and pourable. Once you put cream cheese cold foam on a latte, there's no going back.
- Totally customizable — Whether you want a simple strawberry latte or the full cheesecake experience, this recipe works with whatever you have on hand!
- The graham cracker topping is everything — It's optional, but honestly? Don't skip it. That little sprinkle of crushed freeze-dried strawberries and graham cracker crumbs makes this feel like a full-on dessert experience.
Ingredients
This strawberry cheesecake iced latte comes together with three simple components — the latte base, the cream cheese cold foam, and an optional but highly recommended topping. Here's what you'll need!
- Whipped cream cheese — The base of the cold foam and the key to that signature cheesecake flavor. Make sure you're using whipped cream cheese, not block — it froths up so much better!
- Strawberry syrup — Adds sweetness and that bright strawberry flavor to the foam and latte. Use your favorite store-bought syrup or make it homemade!
- Heavy cream and whole milk — Together they give the foam its rich, creamy, pourable texture.
- Milk of choice — Any milk works here! The recipe uses 2%, but oat milk, whole milk, or almond milk all work beautifully.
- Espresso — Two shots of espresso give this latte its coffee backbone. Strong and bold is the move!
- Strawberry Graham Cracker Topping — Crush the strawberries and mix with the graham cracker crumbs for a sweet, fruity, crunchy topping that makes this latte taste like an actual slice of cheesecake!
Substitutions
- Trader Joe's Strawberry Whipped Cream Cheese: If you can get your hands on this viral ingredient, use it! Swap it in 1:1 for the regular whipped cream cheese and skip the strawberry syrup in the cold foam — the flavor is already built right in. More on this below!
- No espresso machine? Use 2 oz of very strong brewed coffee or a double shot from a Nespresso or Keurig instead. You can also dissolve 2 teaspoons of Nescafé Gold Blonde instant espresso into ½ cup of warm water for a quick and easy alternative!
- Dairy-Free: Swap the heavy cream and whole milk in the cold foam for full-fat coconut cream, and use oat milk or almond milk as your latte base.
How to Make an Iced Strawberry Cheesecake Latte
This recipe is SO easy — it comes together in three simple steps and the hardest part is not drinking the cold foam straight from the jar!
- Step 1 — Make the topping (if using). Crush 2 freeze-dried strawberries and stir in 1 teaspoon of graham cracker crumbs. Set aside while you make the rest of the drink.
- Step 2 — Make the cold foam. Add the whipped cream cheese, strawberry syrup, heavy cream, and whole milk to a small glass or jar. Froth using a milk frother until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. Set aside.
- Step 3 — Build the latte. Add ice to a tall glass, then pour in the strawberry syrup. Add the milk and stir to combine. Slowly pour the espresso over the sweetened milk, then spoon the cream cheese cold foam on top. Finish with the strawberry graham cracker topping if using, and drink up!
The Trader Joe's Strawberry Whipped Cream Cheese Hack
If you've been anywhere near coffee TikTok lately, you've probably seen the Trader Joe's Strawberry Whipped Cream Cheese popping up everywhere — and for good reason. It's sweet, fruity, and already perfectly flavored for this exact kind of latte.
To use it in this recipe, simply swap it in 1:1 for the regular whipped cream cheese and leave out the strawberry syrup in the cold foam. The flavor is already baked right in, which means one fewer ingredient and even more strawberry cheesecake taste in every sip.
The only catch? It's a Trader Joe's product, which means availability can vary by location and season. If you spot it, grab two — you're going to want to keep making this latte all week long! And if you love fun, flavored lattes like this one, don't miss my Carrot Cake Latte — it's just as dreamy!
Tips for the Best Strawberry Cheesecake Latte
- Always use whipped cream cheese. Block cream cheese is too dense and won't froth properly. Whipped cream cheese is lighter and blends into a silky smooth foam every single time.
- Don't skip the frother. A milk frother is the key to getting that dreamy, pourable cold foam texture. A regular whisk just won't cut it!
- Layer your ingredients in order. Ice first, then syrup, then milk, then espresso, then foam on top. This order gives you the prettiest drink and the best flavor in every sip.
- Adjust the strawberry syrup to taste. Love it extra sweet and fruity? Add another pump of syrup. Prefer it more coffee-forward? Scale back to 1 tablespoon. This recipe is totally flexible!
- Don't skip the graham cracker topping. It's labeled optional in the recipe but it genuinely takes this from a great iced latte to a full-on strawberry cheesecake experience. Highly recommend!
FAQs
There isn't an official strawberry cheesecake drink on the Starbucks menu, but there is a popular secret menu version! To order it, ask for an iced latte with 2 shots of espresso, 2-3 pumps of strawberry syrup, and vanilla sweet cream cold foam on top. Request a sprinkle of graham cracker crumbs if your location has them. It's not quite the same as this homemade version — nothing beats that cream cheese cold foam — but it's a solid approximation when you're on the go!
Dunkin' has offered strawberry-flavored drinks and seasonal specials in the past, but a dedicated strawberry cheesecake latte isn't a permanent menu item. Your best bet is to make this homemade version — it takes just 3 minutes and tastes way better anyway!
Make sure you're using whipped cream cheese and frothing long enough for the mixture to fully emulsify. If you want it even thicker, add an extra tablespoon of heavy cream and froth a little longer. You can also pop it in the fridge for a few minutes after frothing — it thickens up as it chills!
Nutritional Info
Each serving of this strawberry cheesecake latte comes in at 376 calories, with 50g of carbs, 47g of sugar, 17g of fat, and 9g of protein. It's absolutely a dessert in a glass — but it's made with real, simple ingredients and it's a whole lot cheaper than a coffee shop run!
If you're looking to lighten it up, try reducing the strawberry syrup by half and using a lower-fat milk. You'll still get all that gorgeous strawberry cheesecake flavor with a lighter nutritional profile.
Total nutritional content per drink is:
- Calories: 376 calories
- Total Fat: 17 grams
- Protein: 9 grams
- Sodium: 263 mg
- Carbohydrates: 50 grams
- Sugar: 47 grams
*This nutritional information is an estimate and calculated based on the ingredients used to create the recipe. The nutritional value of your ingredients may differ slightly. Furthermore, this food is not intended to prevent, diagnose, cure, or treat any disease.
Other Iced Coffee Recipes
Iced Strawberry Cheesecake Latte
Equipment
Ingredients
Strawberry Cream Cheese Cold Foam:
- 3 tablespoon whipped cream cheese (or Trader Joe's Strawberry Whipped Cream Cheese)
- 2 tablespoon strawberry syrup
- 2 tablespoon whole milk
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
Strawberry Cheesecake Latte:
- 2 tablespoon strawberry syrup
- ¾ cup milk of choice (I used 2%)
- 2 oz espresso
- ice
Strawberry Graham Cracker Topping (Optional)
- 1 crushed freeze-dried strawberry
- ½ teaspoon graham cracker crumbs
Instructions
- Make the topping (if using). Crush 1 freeze-dried strawberry, then stir in ½ teaspoon of graham cracker crumbs. Set aside.
- Make the cold foam. Add all cold foam ingredients to a small glass or jar and froth using a milk frother until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
- Make the strawberry cheesecake latte. Add ice to a tall glass, then pour in the strawberry syrup. Top with milk and stir. Pour the espresso over the sweetened milk, then top with strawberry cheesecake cold foam and strawberry graham cracker topping (if using). Drink up!
Video
Nutrition
xoxo Megan
Leave a Reply