How to Make a Sweet Impression with Celery

This quick recipe isn't exactly fat free, but with the right ingredients you can make it close. See comments on substitutions. this filling for celery stalks will please the pickiest crowd. It's creamy semi-sweet flavor is an excellent compliment to the crispiness of fresh celery stalks.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Celery stalks (1 typical bag will make 20 pc's)
• Cream cheese (substitute fat free cream cheese)
• Cool Whip (substitute marshmallow creme)
• Chopped nuts (almonds preferred)
• Powdered Sugar (3 tablespoons)

1. Place 8 oz. brick of cream cheese in a bowl to soften. It does not have to soften completely, as this filling is best with texture. Let it soften just until a fork runs through it with little resistance.
2. Pour in 3 tablespoons of powdered sugar.
3. Add 3 tablespoons of chopped nuts.
4. Add 5 tablespoons of cool whip (or 4 tblsp. marshmallow creme)
5. Use a fork to mash together ingredients slowly (to prevent powdered sugar from flying everywhere). Only mash until blended. It is not recommended that you try to remove all the "lumps". The inconsistency of flavors is actually preferable.
6. Wash, dry and cut celery stalks into strips 4" or shorter. Try to keep the stalks the same length for the purpose of appearance on the party tray.
   
   Spoon mixture into each stalk evenly and pile a little extra on top (be careful of the amount you use as the weight of the mixture is more than the weight of the celery which will make it difficult to arrange on the platter without them falling over)
   
   Place each filled stalk on the platter. Cover with saran wrap or wax paper and refrigerate until ready to serve. Mixture will thicken again once chilled.

Tips & Warnings

• If this becomes a family favorite, you can mix it up a bit by adding 2 tablespoons of flavored yogurt to the mix.
• Fat free is not hard to achieve with the substitutions available, just be sure to mind the consistencies of products being replaced.
• Stalks that are not cut down can actually be less enjoyable if the strings are not properly removed first. In fact, they may become a choking hazard. Keep this in mind when preparing these stalks for your guests.