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–+ servings

Healthier Cream Cheese Viral Deviled Strawberries

Gentle Tummy
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Ingredients
  

  • 12 ripe strawberries
  • 4 ounces cream cheese
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1/3 cup powdered cane sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon lemon extract
  • 1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds
  • 1/4 cup graham cracker bits

Instructions
 

  • Premake the Gluten-Free Graham Cracker Bits (You can also use storebought graham crackers).
    Wash and thoroughly dry the strawberries. Carefully use a small paring knife, small melon baller, or small spoon to scoop out a small amount of the center flesh from each strawberry, creating a hollow cavity. Be careful not to cut through the bottom. Use a paper towel to dab out the excess water in the middle of the strawberry.
  • Toast the sliced almonds (optional). Bring a non-stick frying pan to medium-high heat. Melt one teaspoon of butter and add in 1/2 cup of sliced almonds. Sprinkle with several pinches of salt. Once they begin to toast, continuously stir them until they're lightly golden. Remove them from the heat immediately because they can burn quickly. Spread on a paper-towel-lined plate and allow to cool.
  • In a medium bowl, beat the room-temperature cream cheese, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and pinches of salt until smooth with a hand mixer or the whisk attachment on an immersion blender. Gradually add the powdered cane sugar through a sieve and beat until light and fluffy.
    In a separate bowl, use an electric mixer to whip the heavy whipping cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream and vanilla extract into the cream cheese mixture until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. 
  • Place a graham cracker bit in the center of each strawberry.
    Using a piping bag fitted with a small star tip (or a zip-lock bag with a corner snipped off), pipe the creamy filling on top. If you don't have a piping bag, you can also spoon the filling in.
    Sprinkle the tops of the deviled strawberries with toasted sliced almonds. For an extra pop of color and freshness, garnish with a small mint leaf (optional).
    Store in the fridge until ready to serve.

Video

Notes

Choosing Strawberries: Select large, ripe strawberries for this recipe. Look for berries that are firm, plump, and without blemishes for the best results.
Softened Cream Cheese: Make sure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature before mixing. This will ensure a smooth and creamy filling without lumps.
Whipping Cream: For best results, chill the mixing bowl and beaters before whipping the cream. This will help the cream whip up faster and hold its shape better.
Sweetening the Filling: Adjust the amount of powdered cane sugar to suit your taste. You can add more or less sugar depending on how sweet you like the filling.
Filling Firmness: If the filling seems too soft, refrigerate it for 15-20 minutes before piping.
Did you make this recipe?Please let me know in the comments below how it turned out :)