This is a favorite family recipe! We have it almost every Mother's Day as a special treat.

Almond-Cream Strawberries

2 pints large strawberries

1 3-3/4-ounce package vanilla-flavor instant pudding and pie filling

1 cup milk

1 cup heavy or whipping cream, whipped

1 teaspoon almond extract

1) Cut stem ends of strawberries. Cut a deep "X" in the tip of each berry and gently spread apart to make petals; set aside.

2) Prepare instant pudding as label directs EXCEPT use only 1 cup of milk. With wire whisk or rubber spatula, gently fold whipped cream and almond extract into prepared instant pudding.

3) Spoon cream mixture into a decorative bag with large writing tube. Pie cream into strawberries. Refrigerate if not serving right away.

Approx. 200 calories per serving. Serves 8.

Since we like this so much I've adapted the recipe using 'diet' friendlier ingredients:

Low-Fat Almond-Cream Strawberries

2 pints strawberries

1 package of Fat-Free Sugar-Free vanilla-flavor instant pudding and pie filling

1 cup Fat-Free Milk

1/2 container of Fat Free Cool Whip

1 teaspoon almond extract.

Make as above.

Also great as a dessert parfait with other fresh fruits. Some of our favorites are raspberries, blackberries and blueberries. So YUMMY!

Enjoy!