Step 1: Prepare the Strawberries

1. 1. Wash your strawberries thoroughly and pat them completely dry with paper towels.

1. 1. Cut off the leafy tops of each strawberry so they can sit flat when turned upside down.

1. 1. Using a small paring knife or a small melon baller (my personal preference), carefully hollow out the center of each strawberry, creating a little “cup.” Be careful not to go through the bottom!

1. 1. Place the hollowed strawberries upside down on paper towels to drain any excess moisture while you prepare the filling.

Olivia’s Tip: If your strawberries are refusing to stand up straight, you can slice a tiny bit off the pointed end to create a flat surface—just don’t cut too much or you’ll create a hole!

Step 2: Create the Cheesecake Filling

1. 1. In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and fluffy, about 2 minutes.

1. 1. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and salt.

1. 1. Beat until perfectly smooth and well combined.

1. 1. Spoon the mixture into a piping bag fitted with a star tip for easy and decorative filling. If you don’t have a piping bag (like me when I first made these!), a zip-top bag with the corner snipped off works perfectly fine.

Olivia’s Tip: Make sure your cream cheese is TRULY room temperature for the smoothest filling. I’ve rushed this before, and those little lumps of cold cream cheese are stubborn little things!

Step 3: Prepare the “Yolk” Topping

1. 1. In a small bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, sugar, and cinnamon (if using).

1. 1. Stir until the mixture resembles wet sand.

1. 1. Set aside.

Step 4: Assemble Your Cheesecake Deviled Strawberries

1. 1. Turn the strawberries right-side-up (with the hollow part facing up).

1. 1. Pipe the cheesecake filling into each strawberry, creating a generous mound.

1. 1. Using a small spoon, sprinkle a little of the graham cracker mixture onto the center of each filled strawberry, mimicking the look of the yolk on deviled eggs.

Olivia’s Tip: For an extra-special presentation, place your filled strawberries in a deviled egg tray if you have one! It’s such a fun visual joke that always gets laughs.

Step 5: Chill and Serve

1. 1. Refrigerate the filled strawberries for at least 1 hour before serving.

1. 1. Just before serving, add any optional garnishes like a tiny mint leaf or a light drizzle of honey.