The combination of chocolate and strawberries is a classic. And Chocolate Covered Strawberries also happens to be one of my husband’s favorite treats. As a result, my kids and I love the excuse to pick them up for him when we see them or whip them up at home to make him smile. Fortunately they are pretty easy to make too!
Melting Chocolate
First, let’s talk chocolate. I have used all varieties of chocolate chips, bars & blocks (milk, semi-sweet, dark and white) and all work well. Dairy free and/or vegan chips work well too. I have used Enjoy Life brand chips and chunks often with great success.
Melting the chocolate is incredibly easy as long as you don’t overheat it. Easier said than done, right?!?! Now, you can complicate this process by melting chocolate in a pot over boiling water, but I say, “why bother?” As long as you heat it in short intervals in the microwave, it should work just fine. When I say, “short intervals” I mean 10 second intervals after the initial 30 seconds. Look for a little shine on the chocolate, don’t wait for the chip to turn into a puddle. Once they have a shiny exterior, they are usually warm enough to melt completely just by stirring them. Unfortunately if the chocolate overheats and becomes crumbly, there’s no way to recover it. Just throw it out and start again.
Once the chocolate is melted, just dip the strawberries into the chocolate and lay them on a parchment lined baking sheet. Make sure that the strawberries are completely patted dry before dipping them in the chocolate, otherwise the chocolate might not stick to it.
Dressing Them Up
Chocolate Covered Strawberries can be as simple or as fancy as you’d like. Call it quits after dipping them in chocolate & just store them in the fridge until you are ready to gobble them up. Or, you can dress them up with a drizzle of melted white chocolate, sprinkle finely chopped nuts or jimmies on top. Anything that you want to sprinkle on and stick will need to be done right after dipping them when the chocolate is still wet. Otherwise it won’t stick.
More Chocolate Delights
S’Mousse Cups, Nutella Creme Filled Chocolates, Fluffernutter Chocolates, Chocolate Macaroon Tart, Easy Chocolate Mousse, Pretzel Turtles, Chocolate Peanut Butter Caramel Cake and Chocolate Hazelnut Cupcakes to name a few!
Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Ingredients
- 12 large strawberries greens and stems intact if possible
- 1 cup chocolate chips or chopped chocolate any variety will work including dairy free chips
- ¼ cup chocolate chips or chopped chocolate *optional for drizzle, a contrasting color works great
- sprinkles, decorating sugar or finely chopped nuts *optional garnish
Instructions
- Rinse and gently pat strawberries dry with a paper towel keeping the greens intact. Berries must be completely free of water for the chocolate to stick to them.
- Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Place 1 cup of chocolate chips in a small microwaveable bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds, then in 10 second intervals until the chips begin to look glossy and partially melt. Stir well until the chips melt completely.
- Holding each strawberry by the stem or greens, dip into the chocolate, then place on the lined baking sheet. If you wish to add sprinkles etc, do that right away, before the chocolate hardens.
- Once all strawberries are dipped in chocolate, if you’d like to add the chocolate drizzle, heat the remaining 1/4 cup of chocolate chips in the microwave for 30 seconds. If they aren’t warm enough to stir, try another 10 seconds at a time until they are soft enough to stir. Then use a spoon to scoop a small amount out and drizzle the strawberries on the baking tray.
- Store the strawberries on the tray in the fridge until ready to serve.