Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cheesecake Bites

While cleaning out the fridge today, we found a package of cream cheese that was due to expire in the next month. It gave me the perfect excuse to bake some type of cheesecake dessert. We don't currently own a spring form pan so I opted for something less traditional. I found a recipe for strawberry cheesecake bites.

Ingredients

1 (8 oz.) package of cream cheese

1/2 cup confectioner's sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

12-18 large strawberries

2 tablespoons graham cracker crumbs

between 1 - 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

First, rinse and dry the strawberries. Using a sharp knife, cut out the center of the strawberry. The more hallow you make the strawberry, the more cheesecake filling will fit into the strawberry.

In a medium sized bowl, combine the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. I was not using an electric mixer so I microwaved the cream cheese until it was soft enough to easily mix with a spatula.

Next, I poured the mixture into a Ziploc sandwich bag and cut off a piece of the end with scissors. Squeezing the bag, I was able to pipe the mixture into the center of the strawberries.

Next, dip the cheesecake end of the strawberry into the graham cracker crumbs.

In a microwave safe bowl, melt the chocolate in the microwave. I normally microwave the chocolate for 20 seconds at a time until the chocolate is melted enough when mixed with a spoon. Dip the non-cheesecake end of the strawberry in the melted chocolate. Lay on a baking sheet with wax paper (aluminum foil works as well). 

If you want you can sprinkle some graham cracker crumbs or crushed nuts on the chocolate. Once the chocolate hardens the strawberries are ready to be served.

Enjoy!