Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries

by 43 Comments

spacer Yesterday I completely blew off my morning workout. I would say it was in light of wanting to catch up with the news of Bin Laden’s capture and death (I’m in bed by 10pm, guaranteed), but I hadn’t even put my feet on the floor before I had decided a morning workout was just not in the cards. I made up my workout before class, though. Crunch Diesel. Or as I like to call it, 23 minutes of bust your hump hell (the last 5 minutes I was verbalizing profanities). Have I mentioned lately that I hate resistance training? I’m going to Chicago again this weekend and my mom has plans for us to attend step at 8am and the strength and conditioning class at 9am this Saturday. I (not so happily) agreed. Mama Prevention (though very youthful and fit!) should not be running circles around her 25-year-old offspring.

spacer But seeing as Melinda is a total sweetie and sent me Kinder chocolates from the other side of the pond, serious workout endeavors will be in order. From the time I got home from work to the time I opened the box and enjoyed 200 calories worth (or should I say 400-and-some kilojoules?) was about 4.2 seconds. And yet, that would be considered savoring the flavor. Kinder chocolate is amazing. I sure as heck had trouble maintaining my weight while living in Italy. I’ve determined the Italians are one of two things: 1) freaks of nature, and/or 2) so completely obsessed with fashion (Prada, Gucci, etc. that does not accommodate much over a BMI of 20, if that) that they eat like mice. Thank you, Melinda! You are the best! spacer

spacer As I ration out my Kinder, and pry it from the hands of my junk food-loving husband, I’m glad I have a lower calorie treat to substitute. I would say I would “settle” for these Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries, but that would be an injustice to them….they’re delicious. And I think everyone was made aware by Whole Food’s strawberry sale last week…berries are slowly coming into season spacer And cream cheese? Well, I’m under the impression it’s always in season. Har har.

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Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries adapted from All Recipes, as seen on Daily Deliciousness and Cooking with Chrissy

1 1/2 pints fresh strawberries (~28 berries)
1 8 oz. package low-fat cream cheese, softened
1 tsp. vanilla extract or lemon juice (I used a little of both)
1/2 cup confectioners sugar

Directions:

In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, vanilla and sugar in a bowl until fluffy.

Place the filling in a pastry bag fitted with a star tip. Set aside.

Take the strawberries and with a paring knife, cut an X from the tip of the strawberry almost all the way through. Gently push the tip of the pastry bag in the middle, and pipe in the filling.

Chill until serving. Yield: ~ 28 strawberries.

Nutrition Information (per berry): 34 calories; 1.7 g. fat; 6 mg. cholesterol; 34 mg. sodium; 3.9 g. carbohydrate; 0.5 g. fiber; 0.7 g. protein

Result: Simple and delicious! I can’t think of a better sweet to end a warm, summery day! Now, I just need that warm summery day! These were simple to make and took very little time. They also require no baking! Enjoy! spacer

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I (finally) got around to returning lots of reader emails yesterday. I apologize for my response time and sincerely appreciate all of your notes and questions! Thank you!

Question: What fruit/vegetable are you anxiously awaiting to come in season this spring/summer?

Peace & love,

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« Pear and Blue Cheese Chicken Pizza on Porter Pizza Dough
Slow Cooked Pork Carnitas (Mexican Pulled Pork) »

Filed Under: exercise, fruits and vegetables, recipe, Uncategorized, vegetarian

Comments

  1. spacer The Teenage Taste says

    You had me at the word “Cheesecake.” I’ll definitely be making this recipe soon. I love cheesecake and strawberries are one of my favorite berries!

    Reply
    • spacer Nicole says

      I hope you enjoy them! spacer They’d go perfectly with one of those Nutella cookies!

      Reply
  2. spacer erica says

    This look great Nicole! Such a simple treat spacer

    Reply
  3. spacer Amy B @ Second City Randomness says

    My mom made salads with baby lettuce and spinach from her garden when I was home. If I had my way, I’d eat it every day all summer long… soooo good.

    Reply
  4. spacer CaSaundra says

    What a delicious idea! I love real strawberry cheesecake, but for times when I don’t have access to any, these would be the perfect fix & healthier too!

    Reply
  5. spacer Marianne @ Meal Mixer says

    That’s a cute idea! It would make a perfect light dessert with a few cookies. : )

    Reply
  6. spacer Faith says

    Your cheesecake stuffed strawberries look fanastic…gorgeous enough to be bakery material, Nicole! Mmmm, I can’t wait for fresh cherries!!

    Reply
    • spacer Nicole says

      Ooo la la! Bakery material!? I’m flattered spacer

      Reply
  7. spacer Gina (The Candid RD) says

    I used to force myself to workout whenever I planned to workout, no matter how I felt, but now I feel confident that even if I don’t workout when I plan it, I will eventually do it! It’s a great feeling to be more liberal with my workout schedule.

    Your strawberries sound wonderful. I need to get one of those tools to squeeze icing/cheesecake/etc. into things this summer, I bet that would come in handy! I am looking forward to all berries, and tomatoes this summer.

    Good luck with the exercise class in Chicago. The last time my mom and I did an exercise class together we laughed the whole time. Yeah, that happens when we get together and realize we aren’t as strong as we thought. I don’t think the other people were too happy with us!

    Reply
    • spacer Nicole says

      I agree…so long as it gets done!

      My mom and I are big goofs in classes together, too. Our last step class we were using long boards 3 stacked end-to-end-to-end and we were always running into each other spacer

      Reply
  8. spacer Katie @ Health for the Whole Self says

    I love simple treats like this one!

    Reply
  9. spacer FoodFitnessFreshair says

    Two of my favorite things mentioned in this post. Kinder chocolate and strawberries. Well, actually four. Cheesecake and Whole Foods sales are totally awesome too. $1.99 for a pound of organic strawberries…I was totally sold!! And this is such a cute idea…I’d love to set this out for a party/dinner party/etc.

    Reply
    • spacer Nicole says

      Another Kinder lover! Woooo!

      Reply
  10. spacer Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg says

    Haha…so true about Italians! spacer

    These look so tasty (and pretty!!).

    Reply
  11. spacer Lena says

    Not craving anything particular but made awesome grilled pineapple marinated in rum and brown sugar. Huge hit! spacer

    Reply
    • spacer Nicole says

      That sounds AMAZING, Lena! Recipe?? spacer

      Reply
      • spacer Lena says

        No real recipe. Pineapple + dark rum + brown sugar, then grill. Will add it in my next blog post. Just need to get some pics first.

        Reply
  12. spacer Heather @ Get Healthy with Heather says

    I cannot wait to get my hands on juicy watermelon. It’s one of my summer favorites. Corn too, so good.
    Those little strawberry treats are so cute I could just eat them up spacer

    Reply