THE BEST HAWAIIAN CHEESECAKE SALAD

INGREDIENTS:

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese
1 (3.4-ounce) package instant cheesecake pudding, unprepared
1 cup International Delight French Vanilla Creamer
1 pound strawberries, hulled and sliced
4 mandarin oranges, peeled and sectioned
1 (20-ounce) can pineapple tidbits, drained
3 kiwi, peeled and cut into half moons
2 mangoes, cut into bite size chunks
1 banana, cut into coins
juice of 1/2 lemon

INSTRUCTIONS:

In a medium tall bowl (I use my 8 cup measuring cup), using an electric mixer, whip cream cheese until it becomes smooth. It may bind up in the beaters, but continue as is and it will loosen up.

Add the dry pudding mix. Beat until well combined.With the mixer on low, slowly add the creamer to the cream cheese mix. Add it about a tablespoon at a time and then mix until it becomes a smooth mixture and all of the creamer has combined into the cream cheese, repeat until all of the creamer has been added to the mixture. Whip until smooth.In a large bowl, combine strawberries, oranges, pineapple, kiwi and mango. Add the cheesecake mixture to the fruit. Gently fold cheesecake mixture into fruit. In a small bowl combine the banana coins and the lemon juice. Toss until well coated, drain the excess lemon juice. Gently fold the banana into the cheesecake salad.

Chill until ready to serve or serve immediately.

DONNA’S NOTES: Do not pour all of the creamer into the cream cheese at once. It will get clumpy and no matter how long you beat it, it will stay that way. Trust me on this one.

To make this ahead: prepare the cheesecake mixture and refrigerate in a bowl. Mix all of the fruit in a large bowl and refrigerate. Before serving, drain any excess liquid from the fruit and then fold the cheesecake filling into the fruit. Serve and enjoy!