I start by washing and thoroughly drying the strawberries. Any water left on the berries can cause the chocolate to seize, so this step is key. I also leave the stems on; they make dipping and serving easier.
In a mixing bowl, I beat the softened cream cheese until smooth, then add powdered sugar and vanilla extract. The filling should be thick enough to hold its shape but creamy enough to pipe easily into the strawberries.
I carefully cut a small cone-shaped hole from the bottom of each strawberry using a paring knife. This creates the perfect cavity for the cheesecake filling without damaging the berry’s structure.
Using a piping bag, I fill each hollowed strawberry with the cheesecake mixture. I make sure not to overfill, so the chocolate coating can cover the top neatly.
I melt the white chocolate and dip each filled strawberry, covering the cheesecake completely. I let any excess drip off and place them on parchment paper to set.
Once the coating has set slightly, I melt the semi-sweet chocolate and drizzle it over the strawberries for a beautiful, professional finish.
Finally, I place the strawberries in the refrigerator for at least 15–20 minutes to firm up the chocolate and filling. This ensures every bite is perfectly set.