Dipped Cream Cheese Strawberries

Dipped strawberries are a fabulous addition to an elegant dessert platter. Make them extra-special when you add a layer of flavored cream cheese beneath the chocolate. Dipped strawberries are a fabulous addition to an elegant dessert platter. Make them extra-special when you add a layer of flavored cream cheese beneath the chocolate.

Total Time 1 25

Servings Strawberries

Ingredients

1- pound package fresh strawberries medium to large size
6 oz cream cheese from 8-oz package, softened
24 vanilla wafer cookies finely crushed (3/4 cup)
3 tablespoons powdered sugar
1 teaspoon grated orange peel
1 bag 12 oz semisweet chocolate chips (2 cups)
2 oz bittersweet baking chocolate chopped
½ cup white vanilla baking chips
1 teaspoon vegetable oil

Instructions

Rinse strawberries; pat dry with paper towels. Line cookie sheet with waxed paper. In medium bowl, beat cream cheese, cookie crumbs, powdered sugar and orange peel with electric mixer on medium speed until mixed. Press about 1 rounded tablespoon cream cheese mixture over bottom half of each strawberry, molding to fit the strawberry. Place on cookie sheet. Refrigerate 30 minutes.
In 1-quart saucepan, melt semisweet chocolate chips and bittersweet chocolate over low heat, stirring frequently. Holding strawberry by the leaves, dip each strawberry into chocolate mixture, covering cheese mixture. Place on cookie sheet. Refrigerate about 30 minutes or until chocolate is completely set.
In small microwavable bowl, microwave vanilla baking chips and oil uncovered on High 1 minute, stirring every 30 seconds, until melted. Continue to microwave at 15-second intervals if necessary, to melt chips. Drizzle melted vanilla chips over dark chocolate on strawberries. Place each in paper baking cup. Store in tightly covered container in refrigerator no longer than 24 hours.