Foodie Fridays: Easy Patriotic Cheesecake Strawberries

From Divine Dinner Party

The name of this dessert says it all -- these luscious bites are indeed easy as well as patriotic, and would make a great ending to a Fourth of July dinner.  Best of all, there is no cooking involved, so they are no problem to make even on the hottest of days.  Add to that the fact that they can be made well ahead of time and you have a treat that can't be beat, for Independence Day or any day of the year!

Easy Patriotic Cheesecake Strawberries

12 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 C. confectioner's sugar
12 or 24 large ripe strawberries
24 blueberries

Stir together the first three ingredients until fluffy and well mixed.  Hollow out the centers of 24 large strawberries with the tip of a sharp knife, being careful not to cut through the bottom.  Alternatively, slice 12 extra-large strawberries in half and hollow out the centers slightly.  Fill a pastry bag with the cream cheese mixture, or use a plastic bag and cut off the tip instead.  Pipe the filling into the strawberries.  Place a blueberry in the center of each strawberry, then refrigerate until ready to serve.  If desired, serve on a platter covered with graham cracker crumbs.  Serves 6 to 8 average appetites, or 4 hearty appetites, or 1 to 2 ravenous appetites!