Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries

Valentine's Day is around the corner and these cheesecake-stuffed strawberries are just in time. Tangy, smooth cheesecake filling is piped into sweet strawberries and topped with crumbled Graham Crackers. Delicious.

The combination of strawberry and cheesecake has always been one of my favorites. The sweetness of the strawberries met with the tartness of classic cheesecake creates a wonderfully balanced dessert. These stuffed strawberries are a perfect example. Velvety cheesecake filling is piped into perfectly ripe strawberries and topped off with the crunch of Graham Cracker crumbs and a drizzle of chocolate. Heaven in one bite.

Valentine's Day is coming up and these little goodies are the perfect edible gift for your loved ones. Entertaining? They are sure to turn heads (and taste buds) at your next gathering.

Why You'll Love Stuffed Strawberries

This simple, head-turner of a dessert is sure to become a new favorite for you and your loved ones this Valentine's Day. Here are just a few things that make them so special.

• Easy elegance. Cheesecake strawberries only take a couple of steps and about 30 minutes to put together. Despite the ease of making them, however, they are so visually appealing that people will think you slaved for hours to make them.
• Versatile. Feel free to play with this recipe. Add cocoa powder to the cheesecake filling, drizzle with white chocolate, plop a blueberry on top. You name it! The world is your oyster.
• Balance. The tartness of the cheesecake combined with the sweetness of the strawberry and the crunch of the Graham Cracker crumble next to the creaminess of the cheesecake work together to create the perfect bite.

How Do You Hollow Out Strawberries?

Hollowing out a strawberry might seem like a daunting task but all it takes is a little finesse with a pairing knife. Use a small pairing knife to cut around the green stem of the fruit and remove it. You want to cut a little bit deeper than just the stem so as to remove some of the center of the strawberry with it. Voila! Ready to stuff.

Recipe Ingredients

7 ingredients and you're on your way to the perfect Valentine's Day treat. Here's what you will need to make these elegant cheesecake stuffed strawberries. Scroll to the recipe below for details on exact amounts, etc.

• Cream cheese - Use a block of cream cheese. The whipped stuff won't give you the right texture.
• Powdered sugar - You can use granulated sugar in a pinch, but you will end up with a grainier texture.
• Cream - If you don't have cream, go ahead and use a little bit of half-and-half or milk. Just know your filling will be a tad less rich.
• Vanilla
• Fresh Strawberries
• Graham Crackers - I also love using nilla cookies, oreos, or even crumbled chocolate chip cookies.
• Good quality chocolate - I suggest choosing a chocolate that has between 45 and 70 percent cocoa. OR you could top the cream cheese mixture with mini chocolate chips!

Choosing Perfect Strawberries

When choosing strawberries for these delicious cheesecake stuffed bites, select just as you would were you going to eat them plain. Aim for larger berries (they are easier to hollow and fill) that are bright red with a little shine and a vibrant green stem. Keep in mind that over-ripe strawberries will fall apart in the hollowing and filling process and under-ripe berries will be too bitter. So look for that perfect middle ground.

How to Make Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries

These perfect little bites are shockingly simple to make. Hollow out the strawberries, make the cheesecake filling, fill the strawberries, and garnish. That's it! I have outlined the steps below but make sure to scroll to the recipe below for more detailed instructions.

• Hollow out the strawberries. Take a clean strawberry and, with a pairing knife, cut around the stem plus a little bit deeper to remove it along with some of the center of the strawberry.

• Make the cheesecake filling. Beat together the cream cheese, granulated, sugar, vanilla, and cream until light and fluffy. Scoop the cream cheese filling into a piping bag and refrigerate.

• Pipe. Pipe a swirl of cream cheese filling into each strawberry.

• Garnish. Top each strawberry with Graham Cracker crumbs and a drizzle of melted chocolate (optional).

Tips for Success

These stuffed strawberries are pretty easy to put together but, as always, I have some tips and tricks that will make it that much easier and end you with an even better final product.

• Cut the bottoms of the strawberries. Cut off the bottom of each strawberry during the hollowing process if you would like them to stand upright, cheesecake swirl up, on the plate/serving platter.
• Fill to the brim. The hollowed portion of the fruit won't hold much, so pipe enough cheesecake filling to not only fill but to overflow each strawberry for the perfect bite.
• Use a Ziploc. If you find yourself without a piping bag, just fill a gallon-sized Ziploc with cheesecake filling and cut a small hole in the corner to pipe from.

Can These Be Made in Advance?

You can absolutely make the cheesecake filling and hallow out the strawberries a day or two ahead of time. Store the components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. When you are ready to enjoy, go ahead and pipe the filling into the strawberries and top with the Graham Cracker crumbs and melted chocolate (if using).

How to Store Stuffed Strawberries

Unfortunately, cheesecake stuffed strawberries do not keep very well. They soften as they sit, so they are best eaten within a couple of hours after stuffing. If you are not bothered by a soggy-ish strawberry, you can store the completed dessert in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I suggest waiting to garnish with Graham Cracker crumbs until you are ready to serve.

More Strawberry Desserts to Try

Strawberries. Yum. They are so delicious on their own but also happen to make a wonderful star ingredient in many desserts. Here are some other delicious strawberry desserts to try.

• Strawberry Poke Cake
• Strawberry Cheesecake
• Strawberry Sweet Rolls
• Strawberry Banana Bread
• Strawberries and Cream Chocolate Cake
• Strawberry Cupcakes

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