Strawberry Cheesecake Bites

 These are stupid easy and so tasty and fun. We enjoy having family tea parties and I'm always looking for simple treats for those. We had these for our Valentine's Day Tea Party and they were super yummy. Refreshing, light and not time consuming. 

via https://www.thekitchenismyplayground.com/2016/01/strawberry-cheesecake-strawberry-bites.html

• 10 large strawberries or so
• 4 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature {do not substitute 1/3-less fat cream cheese}
• 2 T. strawberry jam {do not use strawberry preserves ... the strawberry chunks get stuck in the tip when piping the topping onto the strawberries}
• 3 T. confectioner's sugar
• 1/8 tsp. almond extract
• 1 drop pink food coloring gel or paste {optional}

1. Place softened cream cheese, strawberry jam, confectioner's sugar, and almond extract , and pink food coloring {if using} in a small bowl; stir until well combined and smooth. Chill for about 10 to 15 minutes.
2. While cream cheese mixture chills, rinse strawberries. Leaving leaves on, slice each strawberry in half lengthwise and set aside on a plate or serving platter with the cut side up. 
3. Spoon cream cheese mixture into a piping bag fitted with an extra large star tip. {If you don't have a piping bag, you can use a zip-top baggie. Cut off one of the bottom corners of the bag and use it to pipe through.} Pipe cream cheese mixture onto each of the strawberry halves. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to about 3 hours.