Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries

~One of my girlfriends recently brought these to a dinner party. I recognized them immediately; Pinterest!! What did we ever do before Pinterest? It’s one thing for something to go viral, but for it be pinned. Anyhow, these little nuggets of heaven are definitely worth pinning. Not only are they easy, but it requires only a short list of ingredients, and are super YUMMY. Another bonus is that it’s a perfect bite and mainly fruit; making it a healthy but scrumptious dessert. My little ones each had a sample and thereafter gobbled up about a dozen each. In one sitting. And now stare at me accusingly if they see a “naked” strawberry. Honestly, these are that good. I may never go back to regular cheesecake.

Original recipe by Nutmeg Nanny (I think)

*Cook’s note: taste the strawberries first. If they are very sweet, use only 3tbsp powdered sugar. Unless you have a major sweet tooth, in which case- go nuts! =)

 

Special Equipment

Paring knife

Plastic ziploc sandwich bag (or piping bag)

Ingredients

1lb – 1 ½lb medium strawberries
8oz reduced fat cream cheese- softened
4 tbsp powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ cup graham cracker crumbs

Directions

1. Rinse strawberries thoroughly. If you have very ripe strawberries, look carefully for bruises
2. and mold. Obviously discard those berries.
3. Point knife down and angle slightly to cut a hollow area into strawberry. Repeat with all strawberries and set aside. Pat the berries dry.
4. In a medium bowl, fold in cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until thoroughly blended and creamy.
5. Open sandwich bag and fold top of bag outwards. Pour cream cheese mixture into bag and close tightly.
6. Cut a small part of the corner of the bag. With your hand cupped around a strawberry, pipe cream cheese into the berry. Set aside onto a platter. Repeat until all berries are filled.
7. Refrigerate for 1hr or until serving. See below for serving/presentation suggestions.

Presentation

1. Just before serving, dip top of each strawberry in cracker crumbs and arrange artfully on a platter; or
2. As you are piping strawberries, arrange the filled berries around a small bowl of the graham cracker crumbs. Then the guests can dip as they are eating. The crunch keeps longer this way.