A few weeks ago, Mister E sent me an email at work inviting me over for dinner at his parents’ house later that night. But this wasn’t going to be just a normal dinner at his parents’ house, you see. His older sister, brother-in-law, and their adorable one-year-old son were visiting from California, and this would be my first time meeting them as the girlfriend.
Instant panic set in as I realized that I should bring something over to the house but would have less than a half hour to prepare anything after work. I started racking my brain for ideas of something small, easy, and sure to impress. Thankfully, I had read Kristin’s post on Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries just a few days prior. They sounded delicious and I figured I could manage to make them in a short span of time.
At home, I already had three out of the five required ingredients, so after I left work, I made a mad dash to the grocery store to pick up the rest. If anyone in Connecticut saw a crazy lady running through the aisles with graham crackers and cream cheese in her hands, I apologize on that poor girl’s behalf.
Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries
(recipe from SugarDerby)
- 16 strawberries
- 8 oz. package of reduced-fat cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup powered sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 large plain graham crackers, crushed
Directions: After rinsing your strawberries, cut the tops off and hull out the middle using a small, sharp knife. In a bowl, combine cream cheese, powered sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth. Pour cream cheese mixture into a Ziploc bag and cut the tip off a corner to create a pastry bag. Pipe the cream cheese into the strawberries. Dip the strawberries into the crushed graham crackers to coat. Serve and enjoy! (Store in a refrigerator if not serving right away.)
Please excuse any blurry photos. Remember, I was running around like a chicken with its head cut off trying to get out the door throughout the entire process of making these.
As an afterthought, I realized that I could have just bought a container of cream cheese frosting to save time as opposed to making my own. But like my mom said, at least I had the satisfaction of knowing that these were completely homemade. Since I didn’t have time to let my cream cheese soften on its own, I put it into the microwave for 15 second intervals to soften it quickly. My only regret on these strawberries is that I wish I had more time to crush my graham crackers finer. They were a bit too chunky for my taste.
I was a little bit clueless as to how I should plate my strawberries, so I ended up just coating the bottom of a large plate with additional crushed graham cracker crumbs and standing my strawberries on their tops. I also added a few fresh, whole strawberries along the side for anyone who might not be a fan of cream cheese (aka, Mister E’s nephew).
The verdict? They were insanely delicious and were a big hit with everyone! The best part though was that it only took me 20 minutes to make, meaning I had a few minutes to spare to actually run a brush through my hair and put on some lip gloss before dashing out the door.
Ok, but onto important things. One of the most intriguing things about Kristin’s post on these strawberries was that she mentioned that she had found them on Pinterest. I had heard of Pinterest before on blogs like Young House Love, but thought that it was just for interior decorating and DIY projects. I didn’t know that they had food on it!
A few days later, I had signed myself up on the website and all I can say is that I AM IN LOVE. The best way I can describe Pinterest is as a inspirational board where you can “pin” images from across the internet that include a link to where you found that image. It’s sort of like a visual bookmark site. My favorite thing about Pinterest though is that it’s also a social website where you can follow what other people are pinning and like or comment on them.
You can pin anything from delicious food, fashion inspiration, hair tutorials, DIY projects, quotes, and funny images. The possibilities are endless. You should definitely check it out and follow me if only to get a laugh now and then.
(source)
Do you have a quick and easy recipe that you go to when you need to impress? Sharing is caring!
Wow, that cake looks yummy
I love the photos! I’ve seen quite a few people do these… and they look divine. I shall have to follow suit. I’m glad they went down so well!
I LOVE the presentation idea – serving the strawbs upside down on the crushed graham crackers. Wish I’d thought of that!
I just made them for a Superbowl party and I cut a little of the bottom off and drizzled the top with chocolate, they are very good. I originally got the idea from Pinterest.com. What a great website!!!
Mmmm… Chocolate sounds like a wonderful addition! Great idea!
Great post, I really want to try making these tonight. FYI, they sell the graham crackers crushed already too.
D’oh! I really don’t know where my brain was that day because I knew that. Hope you enjoy these if you try them!
lol… well I finally did try them last night. I made a few to take over to our friends for super bowl and they seemed to like them. Just like you I sort of made them last minute, I had all the ingredients but I ended using the whipped cheese cake frosting instead since I had bought some for some cupcakes I had made the night prior, but instead I also decided to dip the strawberry in chocolate and then roll them in the graham cracker crumbs and they were delicious! I also intended to drizzle white and dark chocolate on top but there was no time for that, maybe next time.