This Raspberry Confetti Cream Cheese is a naturally pink, lightly sweet spread that balances tangy cream cheese with fresh raspberry flavor and a playful crunch from sprinkles. It’s soft, spreadable, and designed to feel celebratory without being over-the-top sweet. Perfect for breakfast boards, dessert dips, or snackable moments.
Featured Standouts
Cream cheese
This is the cornerstone of the recipe, providing the essential structure and a decadent mouthfeel. For the best result, use a high-quality, full-fat cream cheese, ensuring it is softened to room temperature. This softening step is crucial for achieving a uniform, rich, tangy, and irresistibly smooth base without any lumps or grains. The slight acidity of the cream cheese perfectly balances the sweetness of the fruit and sugar.
Raspberries
These berries are the heart of the flavor profile, lending a vibrant, slightly tart, and naturally sweet counterpoint to the cream cheese. Both fresh, ripe raspberries or good-quality frozen raspberries can be used. If using frozen, they must be completely thawed and any excess moisture drained or lightly blotted away before incorporating, as too much liquid can compromise the texture of the spread. The raspberries also infuse the spread with a beautiful pink hue and natural fruity aroma.
Powdered sugar (Confectioners’ Sugar)
Far superior to granulated sugar in this application, powdered sugar is used not just for sweetening but as a vital component for perfecting the texture. Its finely milled structure ensures that it dissolves instantly and completely into the cream cheese mixture. This results in a silky-smooth, luxurious, and lump-free final texture that is effortlessly spreadable and pleasing on the palate. Adjusting the amount allows for control over the final sweetness level.
Sprinkles
Known as the “confetti” element, sprinkles are what transform a simple flavored cream cheese into a festive spread. They are added at the very end to retain their form and crunch. They serve primarily as a visual pop, introducing vibrant colors that contrast with the pink spread. They also contribute a subtle textural contrast.
TIPS & TRICKS FOR THE BEST RASPBERRY CONFETTI CREAM CHEESE
Temperature is Everything (Cream Cheese)
You must use fully softened cream cheese. Take it out of the refrigerator at least an hour before mixing. Attempting to whip cold cream cheese will result in an unavoidable, grainy, and lumpy texture. The goal is a light, airy, whip-friendly consistency.
Achieving Even Color Distribution
Mash the raspberries thoroughly before mixing them into the cream cheese. Lumps of fruit will lead to streaks of white and deep red. A uniform purée ensures the natural color pigments are distributed evenly, resulting in a consistent, beautiful pink spread.
Preventing Color Bleeding (Sprinkles)
The vibrant dyes in sprinkles can easily bleed into the moist cream cheese, turning the spread a murky, unappetizing color. To prevent this, fold in the sprinkles last, right before serving or chilling. Use a gentle motion to incorporate them without overmixing.
The Taste Test
Raspberry sweetness can vary wildly depending on the variety and ripeness. Taste the cream cheese mixture before adding all the powdered sugar. Start with less, taste, and gradually add more until the desired balance of tartness and sweetness is reached.
For a Firmer Spread
If you plan to pipe the cream cheese or want a more substantial, less airy texture that holds its shape, chill the finished spread briefly (about 30 minutes) in the refrigerator. This allows the fat in the cream cheese to firm up slightly, making it more scoopable and manageable.
Inclusive Adaptations
Dairy-Free/Vegan
Use a high-quality, plant-based cream cheese alternative (e.g., made from cashews or almonds) for those with lactose intolerance or following a vegan lifestyle. Ensure the alternative is unsweetened and has a similar tang.
Reduced Sugar Diets
For individuals monitoring sugar intake, swap traditional powdered sugar for powdered monk fruit sweetener or erythritol. These alternatives provide the necessary sweetness and fine texture without the caloric sugar content.
Texture Sensitivity
If the small seeds in raspberries are bothersome, use a seed-free raspberry purée (strained through a fine-mesh sieve) instead of whole mashed raspberries. This yields the same flavor and color with a perfectly smooth mouthfeel.
Sensory/Motor Control Preferences
Instead of relying on a loud electric mixer, which may be a concern for noise sensitivity or can be difficult to manage with certain motor control preferences, mix all ingredients by hand using a sturdy rubber spatula or wooden spoon. Ensure the cream cheese is extra soft for easier manual blending.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED TO MAKE THIS RECIPE
Mixing bowl
Fork or spatula
Measuring spoons
SIMILAR INGREDIENTS TO
Blue Bell Vanilla Ice Cream Batter Pancakes
Brownie Batter Pancakes
Tres Leches Mini Pancake Parfait
ENJOY THIS RECIPE WITH
Baked Pancakes with Sweet Cream & Berries
Stuffed Banana Pancakes
Overnight Pickled Strawberries
Recipe
Raspberry Confetti Cream Cheese
Ingredients
Method
- In a small bowl, mash the blueberries and raspberries until mostly smooth.
- Add the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar, mixing until evenly combined and naturally pink.
- Gently fold in the sprinkles just until distributed.
- Serve immediately or chill for 15–20 minutes for a firmer texture.