Cheesecake Filled Strawberries

There is nothing more irresistable than the pairing of chocolate and fresh strawberries? I Love the combination and so do many. Luscious strawberries, filled with a smooth, chocolate cheesecake filling is a very tasty and special dessert for your dinner parties. Just a sweet little something to top off any meal. Very refreshing and easy to prepare. Try it!

Ingredients:

• 30 - 35 big size strawberries
• 1 cup semi-sweet chopped chocolate
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1 tsp lemon peel
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 1/2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1 cup whipped cream
• 3 tablespoons chocolate chips
• 3 tablespoons chocolate cookiecrumbs (oreo's)

How To:

Wash strawberries and drain well. Pat with paper towel. Cut the tops off the strawberries and hollow them out using a small spoon.

Place the 3 tablespoons of chocolatechips in a small bowl and melt using a doubleboiler. When the chocolate begins to melt, then stir it gently with a plastic spatula. Slice a thin piece of the bottom of each strawberry and pat it dry with a paper towel.

Dip the bottom of each strawberry into melted chocolate and then into the cookie crumbs. Place on a parchment lined pan.

Place the 1 cup chopped chocolate in a small bowl and melt using a double boiler again.Let sit to cool.
Combine cream cheese, butter, vanilla, cocoa powder, lemon peel and sugar in a bowl and beat until fluffy. Add in cooled chocolate and mix on low speed until smooth. Add in the whipped cream.

Place  filling in a ziploc bag or a decorating dispenser. Pipe into the strawberries. Top with chopped almonds / pistachio nuts. Serve immediately or refrigerate up to 2-4 hours.

Enjoy!

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