One Bite Cheesecake Stuffed Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

Sticking with the strawberry theme from the last post, here's a fun single bite of goodness that has worked well for many of my Fourth-of-July catering events. There are many different ways to customize the filling (suggestions below), but the simple vanilla is a good foil for the chocolate and graham-cracker dip.

I have used gluten-free graham crackers for clients who require that; you can substitute with nuts (chopped pecans, walnuts) or even sprinkles. 

Happy Fourth!
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Yield: 24 strawberries

Ingredients

• 24 large fresh strawberries
• 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
• 1  cup heavy whipping cream
• 2-4 Tbls powdered sugar (use a little more if mixture is too loose, adding a little sprinkle at a time.  I like mine less sweet, but it’s up to your taste)
• 1 tsp vanilla (Be creative: In place of vanilla, I have used vodka, Kahlua, Bailey’s, or espresso powder, almond extract, and most recently, I had leftover Lorann cotton candy flavored oil from another project and I used that.)
• 1 package bittersweet chocolate chips, melted
• 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
• ½ pint Blueberries

 
Directions

1. Rinse and hull strawberries. Using a paring knife cut out the top and scoop part of the middle out to leave room for the filling. Cut the bottom off for a flat edge, so it can stand upright.
2. Place strawberries on a tray lined with parchment or wax paper.
3. In a medium sized bowl, whip (with an electric hand mixer) cream cheese, heavy whipping cream, sugar, and vanilla or other flavoring until stiff peaks form.
4. Spoon cream cheese mixture in piping bag with a very large tip (otherwise you’ll have trouble piping it out). Alternatively, you can place mixture in large Ziplock bag with the corner snipped off. Refrigerate while you melt the chocolate.
5. Melt chocolate chips in a double boiler or in your microwave for 20-second increments, stirring with a spatula until melted.
6. Place graham cracker crumbs on a plate or shallow bowl.
7. Dip strawberries halfway or on one side (see photo) into melted chocolate, letting extra chocolate drip off. Dredge the melted-chocolate dipped strawberry into graham cracker crumbs and place on to parchment-lined tray. Once you’ve dipped all the strawberries, place in freezer to set (approx. 5 minutes).
8. Time to fill your strawberries. Pipe cheesecake mixture into strawberries and top with blueberries.
9. Refrigerate until time to serve. Best served the same day.