Stuffed Strawberry Cheesecake Bites

 

If my heart could have a section dedicated to just nutrition, it would be breaking right now.

Well, wait, my heart does have a love of nutrition | health | wellness | healthy eating.

Rewind to last fall when I’m gushing to our pediatrician how I’m so proud that my little 9-month old loves steamed broccoli. The nutrition part of heart was full.

My now 15-month old has decided that it was time to start to tug and pull at her Momma’s heart strings by being picky about what she’s eating. I really thought I was going to be able to avoid this. But I was oh-so-wrong!

And it’s hard.

I know what to do. Obviously.

I make recommendations to parents all the time.

But to actually go through with said recommendations is not so bad, but it’s having the patience and persistence to keep trying- that’s the hard part.

Your own baby knows how to test your limits. Hence, you feel bad when you don’t give in, and then defeated when you do.

I could probably talk for days on this, but for one example; my little one doesn’t like strawberries.

Say, what? They are probably my all time favorite food and yet, as my husband describes it, she’s afraid of them!

All out screams even when you offer it to her!

It’s pretty hilarious when I think about it and type those words out.

So while I’m trying to plan and write this post, I offer her one {again, for like the 5th time, because I’m always recommending continued and varied exposure} and I get a 15-month old version of an advanced 2 year old temper tantrum. In my mind I flashback to my 18 +  years ago when my nephew would literally throw his whole body on the floor when he wouldn’t get something he wanted.

I’m still blaming her Dad for this one though. It’s not coming from my genes.

Is this a normal onset of this behavior or is LEM progressing sooner? My pediatrician has reassured me in this area, but hasn’t changed anything other than maybe my perspective.

My baby girl may not like strawberries {yet} but I sure do and this is an archived recipe that I’ve twisted again to have an even better resemblance to the taste and texture of cheesecake!

It’s made with a combo of Greek yogurt {for the protein value} as well as part skim ricotta cheese and whipped cream cheese {both for the creamy-cheesecake-like texture}. I use truly 100% whole grain graham crackers, which can be hard to find, but you can buy them here with your other amazon goods.

In the original recipe I used a bit of Truvia to sweeten them up, but my taste buds have adapted and changed in the last few years so I actually enjoy them without anything added other than good quality vanilla extract! Especially if you can get truly sweet and ripe strawberries. The ones I found at Whole Foods are so delicious right now!

Stuffed Strawberry Cheesecake Bites

Ingredients:

2 whole grain graham crackers

2 tablespoons part skim ricotta cheese

2 tablespoons 2% plain Greek yogurt

2 tablespoons whipped cream cheese

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 pint fresh strawberries

Directions:

In a food processor, pulse the graham crackers until they resemble very course crumbs. Pour the crumbs into a separate bowl.

In the same food processor, combine the ricotta cheese, Greek  yogurt, and cream cheese, and vanilla extract. Puree until smooth.

Remove the hulls| stems of the strawberries.

Spoon the cheesecake mixture into the center of the strawberries and sprinkle with the graham cracker crumbs.

 

These pretty babies can get pretty messy. So if you’re wanting something a little bit more neat, you could always use the cheesecake filling as a dip for the strawberries. Another option could be to spoon some of the filling onto a graham cracker sheet and top it with sliced strawberries.

 

I love the taste and texture of this cheesecake filling without the addition of any sugar or sweetener. But, if you’re taste buds are different, which I’m betting they are, you could always sweeten this to your liking. I’d recommend just a teaspoon of sugar per serving {honey, agave, sugar, etc} or to use a plant-based sweetener like Swerve or Truvia depending on your needs and preferences.

Oh, and look! Some baby hands got a little more intrigued during our photo session!

Progress!

xo,

Becca