The Grounds Crew Takes on Tennis

Perfectly timed for Wimbledon, the sisters’ version of Strawberries & Cream + More Fun Stuff

Ahhhhhhh Wimbledon! The “P. Diddy White Party” of tennis, played on the only surface you’d want to frolic on in light-colored clothing… grass. Alli and I thought to ourselves, what would people wearing light-colored clothing, while sipping on Wimbledon’s signature cocktail, The Pimm’s Cup, eat? (Great recipe for that here, by the way!) What food would create a stain comparable to a grass stain? Then it hit us. Wimbledon’s OTHER favorite, Strawberries and Cream!

Alli created three variations of strawberries, stuffed with deliciousness and topped with cream: Cheesecake, Jell-O and Adults Only Jell- O (shots, like college!). The first few steps for all three are the same, so we’ll start off with the directions for prepping the strawberries and then we’ll break off into each specific recipe.

Cheesecake/Jell-O/Spiked Jell-O Strawberries

Ingredients (For all versions):

• 1–2 lbs. of strawberries (1 lb. if you’re only going to make one version, 2 lbs. if you are going for cheesecake and Jell-O, or just have a TON of friends.)
• 1 can of whipped cream
• Shortbread cookies
• 1 sandwich (or freezer) bag
• Melon baller (the dreaded melon baller!!! It “worked” this time.)

For Cheesecake Version:

• 1 box of “No Bake Cheesecake”
• 1 disposable decorating bag — *Substitute: large freezer bag* (If you find yourself needing decorating bags occasionally but not enough to invest in a legit set, I highly recommend OodleTip bags to keep on hand.)

For Jell-O Version:

• 3 oz. box of strawberry Jell-O
• *If you are going to make the “adults only” version, you also need: 1/2 c. liquor (I haven't made these since college so I guess any liquor will work. We used flavored vodka. Based on my sampling process, followed by finishing the remaining Jell-O the following day, it was a great choice.)

Directions:

Steps 1 and 2

Step 3 and 4

1. Cut the top off each strawberry.
2. Use a melon baller to carve out the center.
3. Cut a tiny amount off of the bottom of the strawberries, so they are able to stand upright.
4. Line up all the strawberries on a cutting board or in a container that you can easily slide into the fridge.
5. Put a few shortbread cookies in a sandwich (or freezer) bag, and smash them up with a mallet/rolling pin/tire iron, whatever you have. Set aside.

For the cheesecake-filled strawberries:

6a. Prepare the “No Bake Cheesecake” as indicated on the box, setting the crust ingredients aside and disregarding those instructions. (I’m telling you this because I measured out the butter and sugar, not realizing it was for the crust, and now have 5 tbsp. of individual butter squares floating around my fridge.) Once it is mixed together, use a ladle to spoon the mixture into the decorating bag. Pipe the cheesecake mixture into each strawberry (as seen in the photo above). When done, place them in the fridge to set.

*If using a freezer bag, just spoon the mixture into it, then cut a small triangle off the bottom corner and use it like a decorating bag!*

For the Jell-O-filled strawberries:

6b. Prepare the Jell-O as indicated on the box. Use a spoon to fill each strawberry with the mixture, then place them in the fridge to set.

*If you are going with the liquor variation, just replace the last step of 1 c. of cold water with 1/2 c. cold water and 1/2 c. liquor.*

Back to the instructions for all versions!

7. Once the filling has set, top each one with some whipped cream, then sprinkle with the shortbread cookie crumbs. But don’t do this part until you’re ready to serve! Whipped cream (from the can, at least) tends to deflate pretty quickly. One second you’re stunned at how great they look, the next you’re wondering if your friends will think you pulled them out of your neighbors’ garbage can.

And that’s that! Coming up next: There’s only so many times you can hear, “This looks great! What is it?” before you lose your gourd. You shouldn't have to explain your creations to every person at the party. ESPECIALLY to Becky, who talks incessantly about her “vegan-free, gluten-full, anti-pro-point-system-based diet plan.” But don’t fret! You can still invite Becky, because I came up with a Wimbledon-specific solution. Celebrity food tags! Check in soon to get the step-by-step plays on how to make them, along with the Fried Wontons Rolled in Cinnamon and Sugar recipe that Prince William is so excited about below!

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