Barbara's Strawberry Flowers

When the big, local strawberries are on, it's time to make these for a party.

BARBARA'S STRAWBERRY FLOWERS

Large, fresh strawberries, washed and hulled

Place hulled strawberries on a plate with the large side down. Cut partway through berries from the top to form 4 to 6 "petals". Place cream cheese filling in a piping bag, place piping tip into each berry where cuts intersect and fill each berry, being careful not to break it. The cut sections of the berries will separate into "petals". Don't fill the berries too far in advance of serving.

CREAM CHEESE GARNISH OR FILLING

Cream cheese or reduced fat cream cheese
lemon juice and powdered sugar

Beat the cream cheese with a little lemon juice and with powdered sugar to taste (should be sweeter if filling tart berries).

Allergy information: Cream cheese garnish contains fermented milk products and cornstarch from the powdered sugar.