Walking Strawberry Cheesecake (Dessert in a Bag)

Walking desserts have been a favorite around here for years. If you’ve ever had walking tacos, this is the dessert version. Instead of chips and taco toppings, you’re starting with a bag of Teddy Grahams and turning it into walking strawberry cheesecake.

Cheesecake pudding, juicy strawberries, and Teddy Grahams might sound almost too simple, but it works. The strawberries get nice and syrupy, and the cookies soften just enough to bring everything together.

You can set out bowls of pudding, strawberries, whipped cream, and bags of Teddy Grahams and let everyone build their own, or assemble them yourself ahead of time. Either way, there’s no baking involved.

When my kids were younger, walking desserts were always a hit during the summer. I think half the appeal was that they weren’t served on a plate. Years later, my grandsons still think they’re pretty great. Walking S’mores is another favorite.

Why You’ll Love These Walking Strawberry Cheesecakes

• Made with just a few simple ingredients.
• No baking, cooling, or complicated prep work.
• Fresh strawberries or strawberry pie filling both work well.
• Easy to turn into a self-serve dessert bar.
• Kids love having their own dessert in a bag.

Ingredients for Walking Strawberry Cheesecake

• Instant cheesecake pudding mix
• Cold milk
• Teddy Grahams snack bags
• Fresh strawberries
• Sugar
• Whipped cream or Cool Whip (optional)

Try Scooby-Doo Snacks
Scooby-Doo Snacks are another good option if you like cinnamon graham crackers. I actually got the idea after noticing a hint of cinnamon in the crust of the cheesecake at Cheesecake Factory.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

Instant Cheesecake Pudding
A small 3.9-ounce box is more than enough for 10 snack bags. I like using whole milk because it gives the pudding a richer, creamier texture.

Strawberries and Sugar
I usually make these during strawberry season when the berries are sweet, juicy, and full of flavor. A quick toss with sugar creates a syrupy strawberry layer similar to strawberry shortcake.

Many walking dessert recipes use strawberry pie filling, which works fine. Personally, I prefer fresh berries. In the summer, a quart of strawberries often costs less than a can of pie filling where I live.

Whipped Cream or Cool Whip
A little whipped topping makes these feel more like an actual slice of strawberry cheesecake. Cool Whip and Reddi-wip are convenient for parties.

Teddy Grahams
You’ll want the individual snack size bags for this recipe. Honey Teddy Grahams are classic, but chocolate Teddy Grahams work too.

Scooby-Doo Snacks are another good option if you like cinnamon graham crackers.

How to Make Walking Strawberry Cheesecake

Detailed recipe and instructions are in recipe card at bottom of post.

1. Make the Pudding
   Whisk the cheesecake pudding mix and cold milk together for 2 minutes according to the package directions. Refrigerate for about 5 minutes so it can thicken.
2. Sweeten the Strawberries
   Stir the diced strawberries and sugar together in a bowl. Let them sit for 5 to 10 minutes while the pudding sets. Save a few strawberry slices for garnish if you’d like. If you’re using strawberry pie filling instead, you can skip this step.
3. Prep the Bags
   Carefully open the snack bags and fold the tops over. This makes them easier to hold and helps keep them standing upright. I usually do this part ahead of time if I’m setting up a dessert bar. Remove a couple Teddy Grahams from each bag and save them for garnish.
4. Assemble
   Divide the pudding between the bags, then spoon in the strawberries and some of their juice. Add whipped cream if you’re using it and finish with sliced strawberries and a few Teddy Grahams. Serve right away.

How to Set Up a Walking Strawberry Cheesecake Bar

If you’re serving a group, turning these into a dessert bar makes things easy.

Here’s how I like to set up a walking dessert bar:

• Place the pre-opened Teddy Graham bags upright in a basket or container.
• Remove a few grahams from each bag and place them in a small bowl for garnish.
• Set out a big bowl of cheesecake pudding.
• Set out bowl of diced strawberries that have been sweetened.
• Add whipped cream or Cool Whip if using.
• Place sliced strawberries in a small bowl for garnish.
• Put disposable spoons in a mason jar for easy grabbing.

Recipe Notes and Tips

• Don’t overfill the bags.
• Alternate pudding and strawberry layers if you’d like.
• If using Scooby Snacks, lightly crush them before opening for smaller bites.
• Assemble no more than about 30 minutes before serving.

FAQs

Can I Make Walking Strawberry Cheesecake Ahead of Time?
You can prepare the pudding and strawberries ahead of time and refrigerate them separately. Wait until shortly before serving to fill the bags so the graham crackers don’t become too soft.

What Can I Use Instead of Teddy Grahams?
Scooby-Doo Snacks are my favorite substitute because they’re basically cinnamon graham crackers. Chocolate Teddy Grahams work well too.

Do I Need the Individual Teddy Graham Bags?
No. If you’d rather buy a full-size box of Teddy Grahams, you can assemble the desserts in disposable cups or small mason jars instead.

More Easy Dessert Recipes

Here are a few more summer favorites from my kitchen.

• S’mores in a Bag (coming soon)
• Marshmallow Fluff S’mores Bites
• Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites
• Key Lime Pie Cheesecake in a Jar
• Bisquick Strawberry Shortcake
• Easy Strawberry Crisp with Ice Cream

Continue to Content

Walking Strawberry Cheesecake

Yield: 10 servings

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Walking strawberry cheesecake is an easy dessert in a bag made with Teddy Grahams, cheesecake pudding, fresh strawberries, and whipped cream.

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Ingredients

• 1 (3.9-ounce) box instant cheesecake pudding mix
• 2 cups cold milk
• 2 cups diced strawberries
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 10 (1-ounce) Teddy Grahams snack bags
• Whipped cream or Cool Whip, for topping (optional)

Instructions

1. Whisk the cheesecake pudding mix and cold milk together for 2 minutes according to the package directions. Refrigerate for about 5 minutes so it can thicken.
   
2. Stir the diced strawberries and sugar together in a bowl. Let them sit for 5 to 10 minutes while the pudding sets. Save a few strawberry slices for garnish if you'd like. If you're using strawberry pie filling instead, you can skip this step.
   
3. Carefully open the Teddy Graham bags and fold the tops over to make them easier to fill and hold. If you're setting up a dessert bar, you can do this ahead of time. Remove a couple of Teddy Grahams from each bag and save them for garnish.
   
4. Divide the pudding between the bags, then spoon in the strawberries and some of their juice. Add whipped cream if you're using it and finish with sliced strawberries and the reserved teddy grahams.
   
5. Serve right away.

Notes

For the best texture, assemble the bags no more than 30 minutes before serving.

Fresh strawberries are my favorite, but strawberry pie filling works well too.

If using Scooby-Doo Snacks, lightly crush them before opening the bags for smaller pieces.

Don't overfill the bags or they'll be harder to eat.

For a little bit of everything in every bite, alternate spoonfuls of pudding and strawberries as you fill the bags.

Whole milk makes the cheesecake pudding richer and creamier than lower-fat milk.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 10 Serving Size: 1 bag
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 180Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 210mgCarbohydrates: 33gSugar: 19gProtein: 4g

Nutrition information is an estimate and will vary based on the specific brands and ingredients used.

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