Cream Cheese Stuffed Strawberries and Chocolate Sauce

Summer, that means time for strawberries, yummy, sweet ones.  Here's a great recipe you might want to try: strawberries, filled with sweet, creamy, cheesey goodness.  Oh, and a bit of chocolate added in for good measure.   You can use store-bought sauce, but don't let the idea of making your own scare you - it's not that hard!

Cream Cheese Stuffed Strawberries and Chocolate Sauce

Ingredients:
Strawberries
1 pound of strawberries
8 oz cream cheese, softened
2 tbsp powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
chocolate chips

Chocolate Sauce:
Ingredients:
1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/4 water
1/4 cup brewed coffee
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 tbsp vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Rinse and then dry strawberries (helps the cream cheese mixture to stick!).
2. Cut off the stem and hollow out a bit of the fruit to make a tiny bowl for the cheese. Prepare all this way and set aside.
3. In a mixing bowl cream, mix the cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla till creamy.  Put the mixture in a piping bag (or ziplock with the corner snipped off) and fill each strawberry.  NOTE: If the mix isn't warm enough, it can be difficult to squeeze out, so use a large tip.  Also, be sure the strawberries are as dried off as possible, or the mixture will pop right out!  
4. Top each berry with a chocolate chip (or 2-3) and refrigerate till serving.
5. To make the chocolate sauce,  start by adding all ingredients except vanilla to a saucepan over medium heat.  Stir until all ingredients are combined.
6. Simmer while stirring for about 3 minutes.  Let cool for a bit and then add vanilla.
7. Set a bowl of it with the strawberries and have at it!

What do you think?  Ready to run out and get some?  You just pop these little buggers in your mouth and go!

Have fun in the kitchen,
Carrie