Howdy folks! Austin here from Beyond The Bayou Blog. I’ve got a real treat for you today – Chocolate-Covered Strawberries! These make for such an easy yet impressive dessert or snack.
You know, these sweet little bites always take me back to my childhood. Every year for Mother’s Day, my brother and I would make a batch of chocolate-covered strawberries as a gift for our mom. It was kind of our special tradition.
I can still picture the two of us as little kids, standing on our tip-toes at the kitchen counter completely focused on dipping each strawberry into the melted chocolate. We’d get just as much on our faces and fingers as we did on the berries! But mom acted like each messy strawberry was a gourmet masterpiece.
These days, I keep the tradition alive by making a fresh batch for special occasions. Watching her face light up when she sees that little handmade gift box instantly takes me back to those sweet childhood memories. There’s just something so simple yet indulgent about biting into a ripe, juicy strawberry enrobed in rich chocolate.
Whenever I need an effortless crowd-pleasing dessert, these chocolate-covered strawberries are what I whip up. They’re pretty much fail-proof as long as you use high-quality chocolate and perfectly ripe berries. Give this recipe a try – I guarantee you’ll get rave reviews!
Overview: How To Make Chocolate-Covered Strawberries?
These little delights are perfect for special occasions or simply indulging your sweet tooth.
To start, we melt together milk chocolate chips and shortening until smooth and creamy. Then comes the fun part – dipping fresh strawberries into the luscious chocolate mixture. I like to use toothpicks to make it easy to coat the strawberries evenly.
Once coated, I place them upside down on a sheet of waxed paper or insert the toothpicks into a Styrofoam block to let the chocolate set. The result? Juicy strawberries coated in a decadent layer of chocolate that’s sure to impress.
Whether you’re treating yourself or sharing with friends and family, these chocolate-covered strawberries are a delightful way to satisfy your sweet cravings. Enjoy! For more strawberry recipes try our Strawberry Cake and Strawberry Jello Salad.
Chocolate Covered Strawberries Recipe
Equipment
- Double boiler or microwave-safe bowl
- Toothpicks
- Styrofoam block or waxed paper
Ingredients
- 16 ounces milk chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons shortening
- toothpicks
- 1 pound fresh strawberries with leaves
Instructions
- Melt chocolate and shortening in a double boiler or microwave, stirring until smooth.
- Insert toothpicks into the stem ends of strawberries.
- Dip each strawberry into the melted chocolate mixture, coating it evenly.
- Place the chocolate-coated strawberries upside down on a Styrofoam block or waxed paper.
- Allow the chocolate coating to cool and set.
- Repeat the dipping process with the remaining strawberries.
Nutrition
Tips that Might Help!
- Avoid Water: Be careful not to get any water in your chocolate while melting, as it can cause the chocolate to seize up.
- Check Temperature: Use a digital thermometer to monitor the chocolate’s temperature. This makes a big difference and ensures proper tempering.
- Choose Large Strawberries: Use large, fresh strawberries for a better chocolate-to-fruit ratio and a more impressive treat. Get extra strawberries so you can pick the best ones. Enjoy the rest as a snack or add them to your cereal!
- Use Room Temperature Strawberries: Take the strawberries out of the fridge 15-30 minutes before dipping them. Wash and thoroughly dry them with a paper towel. Ensure they are very dry; otherwise, the chocolate won’t set properly.
- Temper the Chocolate: Tempering the chocolate prevents the chocolate-covered strawberries from looking streaky, gray, or dull after setting. To temper, set aside some chocolate to stir in at the end after most of it has already melted.
Consider These Topping Options!
- Chocolate Drizzle: Melt extra chocolate to drizzle over the dipped strawberries for an elegant touch.
- Chopped Nuts: Finely chop pecans, walnuts, or almonds to add a delicious crunch.
- Sprinkles: Use chocolate sprinkles for a classic look or colorful sprinkles for a fun pop of color. Festive sprinkles can match holidays or special occasions.
- Toffee Bits: If you can’t find toffee bits, finely chop up Heath or Skor candy bars.
- Shredded Coconut: Toasted coconut also works great and adds extra flavor.
- Mini Chocolate Chips: For an extra dose of chocolate, sprinkle mini chocolate chips.
- Graham Cracker Crumbs: Graham crackers and chocolate are always a winning combination.
- Crushed Oreos: A favorite among kids and adults alike.
What to Serve with Chocolate-Covered Strawberries?
- Whipped Cream
- Caramel Apple Butter Ice Cream
- Vanilla Ice Cream
- Caramel Iced Coffee
- Fruit Salad with Whipped Cream
Tips for Storage!
- Best Fresh: Chocolate-covered strawberries are best enjoyed the day they are made. Fresh is definitely best in this case.
- Refrigeration: If you need to store them longer, place them in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours. They will still be good, just not as fresh as the first day.
- Avoid Freezing: Do not freeze chocolate-covered strawberries. Freezing will make the berries mushy.
How to Pick the Best Strawberries for Dipping in Chocolate?
Choose bright red strawberries with vibrant green leaves. Avoid berries with dark green leaves (overripe) or white tops (not as sweet or juicy). During strawberry season, I like to buy from my local farmer’s market because they are usually riper and sweeter than those from the grocery store.