Cheesecake Filled Strawberries

I have been collecting new recipes I want to try and ideas I want to share. So first up is something perfect for summer and ridiculously easy. I threw these together last minute and they were gone very quickly. One of our friend's threw a surprise 40th birthday party for his wife and asked if I could make the birthday cake. No problemo. But in true Laura fashion, I couldn't stop at just a birthday cake. I whipped together (literally) these cheesecake filled strawberries to bring as well. 

I knew they were a hit when our friend's son, Harrison, stood at the table eating one after the other. It made my heart happy. Give these a try and let me know how they turn out!

Ingredients

1 package fresh strawberries

1 block cream cheese (8 ounces)

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 cup crushed graham crackers

Directions

1. Place the block of cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla in a mixer. Start on low and work up to med/high until nice and creamy. Scrape the sides of the bowl as needed.

2. You can either use a pastry bag or a regular old Ziploc. Scoop the cream cheese mixture into the bag, set aside for now. (I cut the tip off of the pastry bag right before I fill the strawberries)

3. Place a couple bars of graham crackers in a food processor and crush. Or take another Ziploc, place the graham crackers inside, seal tight and relieve any frustrations out on the bag until the graham crackers are nicely crushed. Set aside.

4. After you wash the strawberries, slice the green tops off each. Then gently scoop out the middle/white part of the strawberry with either a spoon or knife.

5. Cut the tip off your pastry bag. Fill each strawberry with the cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle graham cracker dust on top.

6. Place on a pretty platter, invite Harrison over and watch him devour all of them.

8/2/16