1. 1. Gather Your Ingredients: Lay out all your ingredients on the counter. This makes the blending process much smoother and faster.

2. 2. Add Liquids First: Pour the milk and Greek yogurt into your blender. Adding liquids first helps the blades move more freely and prevents thicker ingredients from getting stuck at the bottom.

3. 3. Introduce the Creamy Elements: Add the softened cream cheese and vanilla extract to the blender. The cream cheese is key to achieving that signature cheesecake flavor and creamy texture.

4. 4. Pile in the Strawberries: Add the frozen strawberries. Using frozen strawberries is essential as they provide the coldness and thickness without diluting the flavor with too much ice.

5. 5. Add the Protein Powder and Sweetener: Scoop in your vanilla protein powder and, if using, the honey or maple syrup.

6. 6. Blend Until Smooth: Secure the lid on your blender and blend on high speed until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. There should be no visible chunks of strawberry or cream cheese. If it’s too thick, add a tiny splash more milk; if it’s not cold enough or you prefer it thicker, add 2-3 ice cubes and blend again.

7. 7. Taste and Adjust: Open the blender, give it a quick taste, and adjust sweetness if needed. You can add a little more honey or a touch more vanilla extract to enhance the flavor.

8. 8. Serve and Garnish: Pour the smoothie into a tall glass. For an extra touch of “cheesecake” appeal, sprinkle a few graham cracker crumbs on top before serving. Enjoy immediately!