A fun and impressive party food idea for just about any occasion! This sweet finger food is always the first thing to disappear.
Okay, can we talk about the prettiest little party trick in town? These deviled strawberries are pure magic. Juicy fresh strawberries get halved and stuffed with the dreamiest sweet cream cheese filling that tastes just like strawberry cheesecake, then finished with a sprinkle of crushed graham cracker crumbs.
The result is a platter of darling little treats that look bonkers cute and taste completely heavenly.
Think Fourth of July cookouts, Valentine’s Day sweets, birthday parties, girls night in, game day spreads, summer barbecues, potlucks, Mother’s Day brunch, and bridal showers. Or honestly, just a random Tuesday when you want something pretty on the dessert table.
This sweet finger food is always the first thing to disappear, so be sure to make plenty. You will be so glad you did!
They work beautifully as both a dessert and an appetizer, which makes them the ultimate multitasker for any spread. One bite and everyone will be asking for the recipe.
The prettiest thing on the dessert table, and the first thing to disappear.
Picture this. Darling strawberries stuffed with an irresistible sweet cream cheese filling, each one topped with crushed graham crackers for the perfect finishing touch. They make the prettiest little display on a party table, and they are always the first thing to disappear. Set the platter down, step back, and watch the magic happen. Five minutes, tops.
Fair warning: once the word gets out, guests will hover around the table. Keep a second batch chilling in the fridge, because the first platter never survives the party. You have been warned!
Easy sweet finger food everyone will love!
Here is the sweet truth about this recipe. Strawberries are usually available all year round, which means you can make these whenever the craving strikes. But if you want the absolute best berries, shop in spring and early summer. That is when strawberries are at their juiciest and most delicious.
Now for the honest part. The hardest part of this recipe is prepping the strawberries to be stuffed. But here is the twist: it is also the fun part. A few simple cuts, a little scoop out of the middle to hold all that creamy filling, and the berries are ready to go. No fancy skills required, friend.
Do not stress about finding perfectly uniform berries either. Strawberries do not need to be the same size for this recipe. A fun mix of big and little berries actually looks pretty on the platter, so grab what looks good and run with it.
Rushed for time? All of the strawberry prep work can be done the night before. Wash, halve, scoop, and store. One less thing to think about on party day is always a win.
The filling could not be simpler. You will need cream cheese, sugar, heavy whipping cream, sour cream, vanilla extract, and lemon juice. Six everyday ingredients that turn into the most heavenly cheesecake style filling you have ever tasted. Simple, sweet, and totally foolproof.
It’s incredibly hard not to lick the bowl and beaters clean when you’re done.
Here is where the magic happens. Beat the heavy whipping cream all by itself until it turns thick and fluffy. Then gently fold that dreamy whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture. This two step move is what makes the filling so light, so fluffy, and so dangerously good.
Try not to lick the bowl and beaters clean when you are done. Actually, go ahead. Your secret is safe here.
Now for the best part. Fill a piping bag fitted with a star tip with the cream cheese mixture, and pipe it onto each strawberry half. Do not be shy here. Top each berry with as much filling as it can possibly hold. The taller and prettier the swirl, the better.
Finish every single berry with a sprinkle of crushed graham cracker crumbs. That little crunch on top is pure cheesecake bliss. This recipe makes a generous batch, so if the berries do not all fit on one platter, keep the extras chilling in the fridge until the first round disappears.
Don’t forget to pin and save for later! 🙂
Save this recipe for your next party, because you are going to want these on repeat. Pretty, easy, and gone in minutes. What is not to love?
Ingredients
Everything you need is probably already hanging out in your kitchen. Here is the full lineup for one dreamy batch:
18 24 large strawberries
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup sour cream
2/3 cup white granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice (optional)
1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
Instructions
Here is the whole process, step by step. It is easier than it looks, promise.
Prep the strawberries first. Cut off the stems and slice each berry in half. Cut a tiny sliver off the back of every half so the berries sit up straight and proud on the platter. Then use a small melon baller to hollow out the middle of each half. You do not need to scoop out much. Just make a small indent so the cream cheese filling has a cozy spot to sit and does not slide off.
Pour the heavy whipping cream into a medium sized mixing bowl and beat it until stiff peaks form. This takes about 5 minutes, so put on your favorite song and let the mixer do its thing.
In a separate bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese, sour cream, sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon juice. Use an electric mixer and keep going until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy.
Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until it is well incorporated. Take your time with this step. Slow and gentle keeps all that fluffy texture you worked so hard to create.
Fill a piping bag fitted with a star tip with the cream cheese mixture, then pipe it onto each sliced strawberry half. Go for tall, pretty swirls. When it comes to this filling, more is always the right answer.
Finish every berry with a sprinkle of graham cracker crumbs. That sweet little crunch is the perfect cheesecake style finishing touch.
Serve and enjoy! Set out the platter, gather your favorite people, and watch these beauties vanish before your eyes.
Notes
A few handy tips will take your deviled strawberries from great to absolutely unforgettable. Keep these in mind and you will look like a total party pro, even if this is your very first batch.
Make the filling ahead. If you are rushed for time, the cream cheese filling, whipped cream included, can be made the day before. It holds its consistency beautifully overnight in the fridge. Just pipe it onto the strawberries right before your guests arrive for the freshest, prettiest result.
Prep the berries ahead too. The strawberries can also be cut and prepped the day before. Store them in an airtight container with a paper towel tucked inside so they do not get soggy or pick up any refrigerator taste. Fresh looking berries make all the difference on the platter.
Mind the berry size. The number of strawberries you need depends on their size. The original recipe notes that a large container of medium sized strawberries still left some filling over, so grab a few extra berries if you want to use up every last drop. Honestly, bonus filling is never a bad problem to have.
Going low carb? Easy fix. Use your favorite low carb sweetener in place of the sugar and skip the graham cracker crumbs. You still get all the creamy, dreamy cheesecake flavor in every single bite.
Dress them up for the holidays. For a Fourth of July or Memorial Day party, top each finished strawberry with a fresh blueberry. Red, white, and blue has never looked this delicious, and the extra pop of color makes the platter even more irresistible.
One more little detail worth knowing. The tablespoon of fresh lemon juice is optional. It adds a bright little lift to the filling, so toss it in if you have a lemon handy. If you do not, skip it. The filling is heavenly either way.
And do not skip the star tip on your piping bag. That pretty tip is what creates those tall bakery style swirls that make everyone think you spent hours in the kitchen. Fill the bag, twist the top closed, and pipe with confidence. You have got this.
Party day game plan: make the filling the night before, prep the berries, then pipe everything fresh right before guests arrive.
Keep the finished berries chilled in the fridge until party time, and return any extras to the fridge between rounds. This recipe was adapted from the original deviled strawberries recipe. And if you fall in love with this flavor combo, our Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe is the full size version of the same dreamy taste.
Now go make a batch and get ready for the compliments. These little beauties never last long, and that is exactly the point.
FAQs
What kind of filling is used for deviled strawberries?
The filling is a sweetened cream cheese mixture that tastes like strawberry cheesecake. It combines one 8 ounce package of softened cream cheese with one third cup sour cream, two thirds cup white granulated sugar, one teaspoon vanilla extract, and one tablespoon of fresh lemon juice if you like. Whip one cup of heavy whipping cream to stiff peaks, then fold it in gently so the filling stays light and fluffy.
Can you make deviled strawberries ahead of time?
Yes, you can do most of the prep the night before. The cream cheese filling, including the folded-in whipped cream, can be made a day ahead and holds its consistency well in the refrigerator. You can also hull and halve the strawberries a day ahead, but store them airtight with a paper towel so they do not get soggy. Fill the berries within a few hours of serving for the best texture.
How do you keep deviled strawberries cold and fresh at a party?
Because the filling is dairy based, follow the two-hour rule and do not leave the tray out longer than two hours, or one hour when it is hotter than 90 degrees. Nesting the serving platter over ice works well at outdoor events. Serving in small batches and keeping the rest chilled until the platter needs refilling also helps the berries stay fresh.
Can you freeze deviled strawberries?
Freezing is not recommended for this recipe. Thawed strawberries turn watery and soft, and the cream cheese filling loses its smooth, fluffy texture. Instead, enjoy them fresh and store any leftovers in a single layer in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Leftovers keep about one to two days, but they are best within the first day.
A fun and impressive party food idea for just about any occasion! This sweet finger food is always the first thing to disappear.
Ingredients
Scale
18–24 large strawberries 1 cup heavy whipping cream 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened 1/3 cup sour cream 2/3 cup white granulated sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
Instructions
1-Prep the strawberries by cutting off the: Prep the strawberries by cutting off the stems and slicing them in half. Next, cut a small sliver off of the back of each strawberry half so that they sit up straight. Use a small melon baller to carefully hollow out the middle (you don’t need to take out much, just make a small enough indent so that the cream cheese filling doesn’t slide off). *Pictorial Above * 2-In a medium sized mixing bowl, beat: In a medium sized mixing bowl, beat the whipping cream until stiff peaks form (about 5 minutes). 3-In a separate bowl, mix together the: In a separate bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese, sour cream, sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon juice with an electric mixer until smooth. 4-Fold the whipped cream into the cream: Fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until well incorporated. 5-Fill a piping bag with the cream: Fill a piping bag with the cream cheese mixture (I used a star tip), and pipe it onto each sliced strawberry. 6-Finish with a sprinkle of graham cracker: Finish with a sprinkle of graham cracker crumbs. 7-Serve and enjoy: Serve and enjoy!
Last Step:
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