I recently crafted a dessert featuring fresh summer strawberries paired with cream cheese, powdered sugar, and a hint of vanilla. This stuffed strawberry recipe brings together cocoa powder and heavy cream for a light chocolate cheesecake surprise. It is an inviting option for dessert for birthdays and sweet indulgence.
I recently discovered a dessert that completely blew my mind—Chocolate Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries. This recipe blends a lightly sweetened no-bake cheesecake filling with cocoa powder, making it fresh, fruity, and nothing like ordinary strawberries.
I start with 1 lb of fresh summer strawberries that are washed and hulled, then I fill them with a smooth mixture of 8 oz cream cheese (softened to room temp), 1/3 cup powdered sugar, and a dash of 1/2 tsp vanilla extract. To ramp up the flavor, I add 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder and just enough of 2 to 3 tbsp heavy cream so that the filling is creamy and spreadable.
I love how versatile this dessert is—it works great for party food ideas, birthdays or even as an easy treat for Valentine’s Day. Its combination of rich chocolate and tangy cheesecake inside a fresh strawberry is absolutely irresistible.
Why I Like this Recipe
I like this recipe because it’s super fun to make and the mix of flavors is amazing. First, the fresh summer strawberries paired with the creamy cheesecake filling makes everything taste so fresh and fruity. Second, its a no-bake recipe so its really easy and not too time-consuming which is great when I’m in a rush. Third, the cocoa powder gives the filling this rich, chocolatey twist that I really enjoy even though it’s not overly sweet. Lastly, I love that I can chill the stuffed strawberries and they get even better once the flavors meld together a bit over time.
Ingredients
- Fresh summer strawberries provide vitamins, fiber, and natural sweetness essential for a healthful treat.
- Cream cheese adds a rich, tangy flavor with protein and smooth texture in every bite.
- Powdered sugar lightly sweetens the filling while blendin well with the smooth cream cheese.
- Vanilla extract infuses a subtle aroma and depth to balance the tart cream cheese essence.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder intensifies the chocolate flavor and provides antioxidants beneficial for health.
- Heavy cream makes the filling extra silky but adds fats so use it sparingly.
Ingredient Quantities
- 1 lb fresh summer strawberries, washed and hulled
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temp
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 to 3 tbsp heavy cream
How to Make this
1. First, wash your strawberries and remove the stems carefully so they have a nice little cavity for the filling.
2. In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until it’s smooth and creamy at room temp.
3. Mix in your powdered sugar, vanilla extract and unsweetened cocoa powder with the cream cheese until it all blends well.
4. Slowly add in 2 tablespoons of heavy cream and stir continuously; if the mixture feels too thick, add that extra tablespoon.
5. Once the cheesecake filling looks smooth and spreadable, get a piping bag or a resealable zip bag with a corner snipped off.
6. Carefully fill each strawberry with the cheesecake mixture until they are nicely stuffed.
7. Arrange the stuffed strawberries on a serving platter; try not to squish them.
8. Let the strawberries chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to firm up the filling.
9. If you want, dust a little extra cocoa powder on top before serving.
10. Enjoy your refreshing and yummy Chocolate Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries as a light dessert!
Equipment Needed
1. Colander or bowl to wash the strawberries
2. Knife to remove the stems
3. Mixing bowl to beat the cream cheese
4. Electric mixer or whisk for a smooth mixture
5. Measuring cup and spoons for the heavy cream and cocoa powder
6. Piping bag or resealable zip bag with a small corner cut off
7. Spatula to stir everything together
8. Serving platter to arrange the stuffed berries
9. Refrigerator to chill the dessert for at least 30 minutes
FAQ
Chocolate Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Cream cheese: You can swap this out for mascarpone or even ricotta if you want a creamier, lighter flavor (though the texture might change a bit).
- Powdered sugar: If you dont have this handy, try blitzing granulated sugar in a blender until it’s fine or use a drizzle of honey for some natural sweetness.
- Vanilla extract: Almond extract might work for a nutty twist, or even a bit of maple syrup if you’re feeling adventurous.
- Heavy cream: If you’re looking for a lighter alternative, half-and-half is a good bet or you can experiment with coconut cream for a tropical vibe.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: In a pinch, melted dark chocolate (cooled down before mixing) works pretty well to keep that deep chocolatey flavor.
Pro Tips
1. Make sure your cream cheese is really soft before mixin it; if it’s even slightly cold, your filling can end up lumpy and not so smooth.
2. When you’re filling the strawberries, be super gentle and use a piping bag or even a zip bag with a tiny hole – this helps keep ’em looking nice instead of squishing them all over the place.
3. If your cheesecake mix feels too thick, add that extra bit of heavy cream slowly. Trust me, it’s better to add a little at a time than mess up the consistency all at once.
4. Chill the filled strawberries a bit longer if you can – thirty minutes is fine, but letting them sit in the fridge a bit more really helps the flavors meld together better.
Chocolate Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries Recipe
My favorite Chocolate Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. Colander or bowl to wash the strawberries
2. Knife to remove the stems
3. Mixing bowl to beat the cream cheese
4. Electric mixer or whisk for a smooth mixture
5. Measuring cup and spoons for the heavy cream and cocoa powder
6. Piping bag or resealable zip bag with a small corner cut off
7. Spatula to stir everything together
8. Serving platter to arrange the stuffed berries
9. Refrigerator to chill the dessert for at least 30 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 lb fresh summer strawberries, washed and hulled
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temp
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 to 3 tbsp heavy cream
Instructions:
1. First, wash your strawberries and remove the stems carefully so they have a nice little cavity for the filling.
2. In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until it’s smooth and creamy at room temp.
3. Mix in your powdered sugar, vanilla extract and unsweetened cocoa powder with the cream cheese until it all blends well.
4. Slowly add in 2 tablespoons of heavy cream and stir continuously; if the mixture feels too thick, add that extra tablespoon.
5. Once the cheesecake filling looks smooth and spreadable, get a piping bag or a resealable zip bag with a corner snipped off.
6. Carefully fill each strawberry with the cheesecake mixture until they are nicely stuffed.
7. Arrange the stuffed strawberries on a serving platter; try not to squish them.
8. Let the strawberries chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to firm up the filling.
9. If you want, dust a little extra cocoa powder on top before serving.
10. Enjoy your refreshing and yummy Chocolate Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries as a light dessert!