Introduction

These Strawberry Cheesecake Dessert Tacos are a delightful twist on classic flavors. Crunchy cinnamon-sugar shells filled with creamy cheesecake and topped with a fresh strawberry sauce make for a fresh and fun dessert perfect for any occasion.

The image shows a close-up of three cannoli shells arranged in a row on a black rack over a white marbled surface. Each cannoli shell is golden brown and coated with sugar crystals, giving it a crisp and sugary texture. Inside each shell is a thick layer of white creamy filling, topped with bright red strawberry sauce that looks glossy and slightly chunky with visible strawberry pieces. In the background, blurred whole strawberries add a pop of red color. A woman's hand holds the cannoli from the left side, partially visible in the frame. The photo has a shallow depth of field, focusing on the textures and colors of the cannoli. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

6 small flour tortillas
½ cup granulated sugar
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
½ cup unsalted butter, melted
8 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ cup heavy whipping cream
1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries, chopped
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F. In a small bowl, mix together the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon.
Step 2: Brush both sides of each flour tortilla with melted butter. Sprinkle and coat them evenly with the cinnamon sugar mixture.
Step 3: Drape each coated tortilla over the oven rack so they hold a taco shape. Bake for 8–10 minutes until crisp and golden. Remove and let cool completely to set the shape.
Step 4: Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
Step 5: In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until fully combined and fluffy.
Step 6: For the strawberry sauce, combine strawberries, granulated sugar, and lemon juice in a saucepan. Simmer over medium heat until the berries release their juices, about 5 minutes.
Step 7: Stir in the cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with water) and cook for another minute until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
Step 8: Once the shells are cool, pipe or spoon the cheesecake filling into each taco shell. Top generously with the strawberry sauce and serve immediately to enjoy the crisp texture.

Tips & Variations

For extra crunch, you can lightly toast the taco shells again after filling them, but do so carefully to avoid melting the filling.
Use fresh strawberries when in season for the best flavor; frozen strawberries work well if thawed and drained slightly.
Try adding chopped nuts or chocolate chips to the filling for added texture.

Storage

Store the assembled tacos in the refrigerator and consume within 1 day for best texture. The shells will soften if left too long. You can keep the filling and strawberry sauce separate for up to 2 days in airtight containers and assemble just before serving.

How to Serve

Three crispy taco shells stand side by side on a white plate, each filled with a smooth, creamy white layer at the bottom, topped with a bright, glossy red cherry sauce with visible whole cherries and syrup dripping slightly over the edges. The taco shells are golden brown with a crunchy texture. The background is a white marbled surface, and the photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought taco shells for this recipe?

Store-bought hard taco shells are usually saltier and less sweet, so they might not complement the dessert flavors as well. Making your own cinnamon sugar shells with flour tortillas offers the best texture and taste.

How can I pipe the cheesecake filling neatly?

Use a piping bag fitted with a large round or star tip for easy and attractive filling. If you don’t have a piping bag, a zip-top bag with a small corner snipped off works just as well.