Chocolate Covered Stuffed Strawberries

Staci's book signing party is tomorrow so I'm making something special.  I think this is one of my best 10 top recipes.  I don't make them often and when I do it is for a special occasion and tomorrow surely is that.  Got to make a quick trip to the store for beautiful large fresh strawberries and some whipped cream cheese.

I have shared this before, but think it has been almost 2 years ago.  Had to share again with this week being dedicated to strawberries.  I've been told these are good enough to give as gifts.

8 oz. whipped creamed cheese

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

2 tbs. strawberry jelly

Pecans (optional)

Fresh Strawberries

12 oz. simi-sweet chocolate chips (you may use milk or white chocolate if you like)

Clean strawberries and let dry well.  Slice strawberries (keeping stem on to hold) into quarters but do not cut all the way through.  You will want to open it up just enough to stuff them.  Just pinch them a little and they will open.

Mix the creamed cheese, powdered sugar, strawberry jelly and vanilla well with hand mixer.  Pour into a small baggy and seal.  Cut a small hole in the corner of your baggie so you can pipe the cheese mixture into the strawberries.  Pipe the mixture into the center of the cut strawberries.  Do not over fill.  Pinch shut a little

I prefer to melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler but you can also microwave them for 30 seconds and stir and then another 30 seconds.  Put the melted chocolate in a cup for deep dipping.  While the chocolate is still creamy, dip your stuffed strawberries into the chocolate and then roll in chopped pecans.  Lay them on a piece of parchment paper to harden.  Do not refrigerate them.  Fix them the same day you are serving them.

Variation - My grandson has to have dairy free so I make some unstuffed with dairy free chocolate.  He love them.  You can also dip them in white chocolate or use white chocolate to drizzle over the chocolate if you do not want to roll them in pecans.  Personally, I love the pecans, but many like it without the nuts, so make some of both.

Hope you have a sweet day, be happy and may God bless you and yours.