How many calories are in strawberry cream cheese?

November 30, 2025 •

3 min read

A standard two-tablespoon serving of regular strawberry cream cheese typically contains between 70 and 90 calories, though lighter versions can be as low as 40 calories. Understanding how many calories are in strawberry cream cheese is key for managing your daily intake, especially for a popular breakfast item.

Quick Summary

The calorie count for a serving of strawberry cream cheese depends on the brand and fat content, with regular versions having higher calories from fat and sugar than light options. Factors like serving size significantly impact the total nutritional intake from this food item.

Key Points

Calorie Range: Standard strawberry cream cheese generally contains 70-90 calories per 2-tablespoon serving, but light options are lower.
Light vs. Regular: Reduced-fat or light versions, such as Philadelphia's 40-calorie option, significantly decrease the calorie and fat content.
Macronutrient Sources: The majority of calories come from fat and added sugar used to sweeten the strawberry flavor.
Homemade Advantage: Creating your own spread lets you control sugar and fat levels, potentially leading to a lower-calorie alternative.
Serving Size Awareness: The recommended 2-tablespoon serving is often exceeded, making portion control a major factor in overall calorie intake.
Total Meal Consideration: A bagel with strawberry cream cheese can easily exceed 400 calories, with the bagel itself contributing most of the energy.

Calorie Breakdown by Brand

The calorie content of strawberry cream cheese is not uniform across all products. It depends heavily on the specific brand and whether it is a regular (full-fat) or light (reduced-fat) version. The primary sources of calories are fat and added sugar, both of which are used to create the spread's signature creamy texture and sweet flavor. Reading the nutrition label is the most accurate way to know the exact caloric value of your chosen product.

Popular Regular Brands

Many mainstream brands offer a strawberry cream cheese that falls within a consistent calorie range for a standard serving of 2 tablespoons (about 30 grams). For example:

Philadelphia Strawberry Cream Cheese Spread: A 2-tablespoon serving contains approximately 70 calories. This version contains a balance of dairy fats and sugar from the strawberry puree.
Great Value Strawberry Cream Cheese Spread: At around 90 calories per 2 tablespoons, this product is slightly higher than some other brands due to its particular fat and sugar formulation.
Dutch Farms Strawberry Cream Cheese Spread: This option provides about 80 calories for a 2-tablespoon serving, placing it in the mid-range for regular spreads.

The Lighter Side: Reduced-Fat Options

For those watching their calorie intake, reduced-fat or light versions are widely available. These products lower the calorie count by using lower-fat milk and cream ingredients and sometimes include stabilizers or thickeners. The Kraft Philadelphia Soft Strawberry Cream Cheese, for instance, contains only 40 calories per 2-tablespoon serving, making it a much lighter choice. However, it's important to note that some light versions may compensate for less fat with more added sugar to maintain flavor, so checking the sugar content on the nutrition facts is advisable.

Factors Affecting Calorie Count

Beyond just the brand, several variables influence the final calorie tally of your strawberry cream cheese. Knowing these factors can help you make more mindful choices:

Fat Content: As a dairy product, cream cheese's caloric density is primarily determined by its fat content. Full-fat spreads naturally have more calories than their reduced-fat or non-fat counterparts.
Sugar and Sweeteners: The strawberry flavor is often achieved with added sugars or syrups, which contribute significantly to the total carbohydrate and calorie count. Some homemade versions or specific brands might use alternative sweeteners.
Serving Size: While the nutritional information is based on a standard 2-tablespoon serving, many people use more. A generous schmear on a bagel could easily be three or four servings, multiplying the total calories.
Additives and Ingredients: The presence of specific stabilizers, starches, and other non-dairy ingredients can also slightly alter the final nutritional profile.

Homemade vs. Store-Bought

Making your own strawberry cream cheese at home offers an excellent way to control the calorie count and ingredients. Many recipes use a base of cream cheese, fresh or freeze-dried strawberries, and a sweetener. By swapping full-fat cream cheese for a low-fat version or Greek cream cheese, and using less sugar or a natural sweetener, you can significantly reduce the calories.

Comparison Table: Strawberry Cream Cheese Calories


Brand	Serving Size	Calories	Total Fat	Saturated Fat
Philadelphia (Regular)	2 tbsp (30g)	70 kcal	5g	3g
Philadelphia (Light)	2 tbsp (30g)	40 kcal	0g	0g
Great Value	2 tbsp (30g)	90 kcal	7g	5g
Dutch Farms	2 tbsp (30g)	80 kcal	7g	4.5g

How Your Spreads Affect Your Meal

While the calories in the cream cheese itself are one consideration, it's crucial to evaluate the total calories of your meal. For instance, a plain bagel can have over 300 calories, and adding a typical serving of strawberry cream cheese pushes the total meal close to 400 calories or more. For detailed nutritional information on various food items, resources like Nutritionix provide excellent data. To create a lighter meal, consider using less spread, choosing a lighter version, or pairing it with a lower-calorie option like whole-wheat toast or celery sticks.

Conclusion

In summary, the number of calories in strawberry cream cheese varies by brand, with light options offering a significantly lower count than full-fat versions. While a standard serving generally ranges from 70 to 90 calories, this can be higher or lower depending on the specific product. By comparing labels and considering homemade alternatives, you can enjoy this fruity spread while keeping your dietary goals in mind. Paying attention to serving sizes is also critical, as the spread is often used in larger quantities than the recommended portion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not necessarily. While some light versions may have fewer calories and fat than regular cream cheese, they can contain more added sugar to enhance flavor. You should compare both the fat and sugar content on the nutrition labels.

There is a notable difference between brands. For a 2-tablespoon serving, Philadelphia (regular) is 70 kcal, Great Value is 90 kcal, and a light Philadelphia version is only 40 kcal.

The primary sources of calories are fat from the milk and cream ingredients, along with added sugars and purees from the strawberry flavoring.

Yes, you can make a lower-calorie version by using a low-fat cream cheese or a mix of Greek yogurt and cream cheese. Using fresh berries and a natural sweetener also gives you more control over the sugar content.

A standard bagel with strawberry cream cheese is much higher in calories than the spread alone. For example, some combinations can have 280 to 360 total calories, with the bagel contributing the bulk of the calories.

While store-bought options can vary, the best way to control sugar is by making a homemade version. By using a small amount of a natural sweetener or relying on the sweetness of fresh fruit, you can create a low-sugar spread.

Alternatives include low-fat cottage cheese mixed with fresh berries, plain Greek yogurt with fruit puree, or ricotta cheese blended with strawberries.