Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Double-Dipped Strawberries with Strawberry Cheesecake Filling...Featuring Driscoll's Long-Stemmed Strawberries #ValentinesDay

One of my favorite Valentine's treats is chocolate dipped strawberries. They're simple, yet they feel like a very special treat. That's why I was so excited when my friends at Driscoll's Berries asked me to share a fun new spin on chocolate-dipped strawberries. To up the wow factor just a bit, I created Double-Dipped Strawberries with Strawberry Cheesecake Filling. These berries are over-the-top good...and they're really simple to make. I splurged and picked up a package of Driscoll's seasonal long-stemmed jumbo strawberries. These strawberries are sweet and super juicy...they're good by themselves straight from the package, but chocolate and creamy filling are a great accompaniment!

I removed the steams and used a sharp spoon to make a well in the top of each berry. Then, I dipped each berry in both milk and white chocolate. I let the chocolate set up in the fridge, then piped a strawberry-flavored cheesecake mousse into the top of each berry. To ensure the most decadent treat possible, make sure to purchase the best quality chocolate you can find!

Double-Dipped Strawberries with Strawberry Cheesecake Filling
a Weekend Gourmet Original
Ingredients (makes 1 dozen berries):
  • 12 Driscoll's long-stemmed jumbo strawberries
  • 12 ounces milk chocolate chips [NOTE: I used Ghirardelli]
  • 1 tsp. vegetable oil
  • 5 ounces white chocolate [NOTE: I used Green & Black's]
  • 8 ounces whipped strawberry cream cheese
  • 4-5 medium strawberries, coarsely mashed (about 1/3 cup)
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
Directions:
Step 1: Melt the milk chocolate chips and vegetable oil in the microwave for 1 minute; stir and microwave for 1 minute longer. The chips should be melted and smooth by then. Dip the berries into the milk chocolate and place on a parchment-lined pan. Let the chocolate set up. To speed up this process, I like to place the berries in the freezer for about 1o minutes so they're well chilled. Melt the white chocolate in 1-minute increments in the microwave until smooth and melted. Dip the tips of half the berries in the melted white chocolate. Drizzle white chocolate on top of the other half of the berries.
Step 2: Let the white chocolate set up. While that's happening, make the cheesecake filling. Add the strawberry whipped cream cheese, mashed strawberries, and powdered sugar to a mixing bowl. Mix with a wire whisk until completely incorporated and fluffy. Transfer the mixture to a plastic zip bag and snip the corner with scissors. Refrigerate until ready to assemble. Just before serving, pipe the cheesecake filling into the well on top of each berry.
Step 3: Arrange the cheesecake stuffed chocolate-dipped strawberries on a pretty Valentine's serving plate -- have fun with the presentation! Serve immediately if possible. The berries can be dipped a few hours ahead, then filled just before serving. Doing so ensures the flavor and consistency are the very best. Get ready for your Valentine to go nuts for these decadent berries at first bite!
These amped-up berries are so much fun to eat! The first thing you taste is the double shot of creamy chocolate. Then you taste the juicy sweetness of the strawberries...and then you enjoy the creamy strawberry cheesecake filling. This special treat takes a Valentine's classic to new levels of greatness! For even more great Valentine's recipes featuring Driscoll's juicy strawberries, be sure to visit Driscoll's website.

Disclosure: Driscoll's provided me with product coupons and monetary consideration for this post. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

No comments:

Post a Comment

I love hearing your feedback!!!