Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries

I can justify this delish dessert by saying "it's fruit after all, that's good for you!" Somehow I think once you add the cheesecake filling, it might eliminate it from the "good for you list".

These are extremely easy to make and will make your Summer dessert table look very elegant. I used a piping bag and a star tip, but you can use those disposable bags that zip on top, just snip the bottom corner to make a piping bag.

Let's put these together, you'll need:

Fresh strawberries, (get more than you need, they are amazing frozen too!)

8 oz room temperature cream cheese

1/2 powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

Dark Chocolate for shredding on top

Slice the top off the strawberries (to get a flat surface) and a cross shap on the top of the strawberry. This will provide you a pocket to pipe in the cheesecake filling.

Filing: Add the powdered sugar to the room temperature cream cheese and vanilla. Stir well and pipe into the center cut of the strawberry. Shred dark chocolate on top and garnish. (this is garnished with lemon thyme that was in bloom from my garden).

For adults: I would also add a chaser of Chocolate Godvia Liqueur or your favorite shot. I like to use the fancy pipettes and just allow it to stick out of the strawberry. (pictured below)

These are fun to fill with what ever you like. A dark rum would go wonderful as well as bubbly champagne. A dark chocolate fudge filling would be fun also with a Creme de Menthe shooter.

I shredded the dark chocolate over the top for a little hint of chocolate.

This is a fast, easy, elegant and delish. It's our secrety that it takes about five minutes to put them together! Make extra and freeze them, they'll stay in an airtight container for up to six months.

Enjoy!