Easy Chocolate Covered Strawberries: Gourmet Treats at Home
Make professional-looking chocolate covered strawberries easily at home. This guide gives you simple techniques for a smooth, glossy chocolate coating, perfect for Valentine’s Day or any party.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Total Time: 20 min
- Yield: About 18-24 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Dipping
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound fresh strawberries, washed and completely dried
- 12 ounces good quality melting chocolate (milk, dark, or white chocolate chips or wafers)
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil or vegetable shortening (optional, for smoother dipping)
- Toppings (optional): chopped nuts, sprinkles, crushed cookies, white chocolate for drizzling
Instructions
- Prepare the strawberries: Gently wash the strawberries and dry them thoroughly with paper towels. Moisture prevents the chocolate from sticking. Leave the green stems intact for easy dipping and a nice presentation.
- Melt the chocolate: Place the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring well after each interval, until the chocolate is almost completely melted and smooth. If using, stir in the coconut oil or shortening for a thinner consistency. Do not overheat the chocolate.
- Dip the strawberries: Hold a strawberry by the stem. Dip it into the melted chocolate, tilting the bowl slightly. Rotate the berry to coat about three-quarters of the way up, leaving some red showing. Lift the berry out, letting excess chocolate drip back into the bowl.
- Add toppings (optional): Immediately after dipping, sprinkle with your chosen toppings before the chocolate sets.
- Set the chocolate: Place the dipped strawberries on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or wax paper.
- Chill: Allow the strawberries to set at room temperature for about 15 minutes, or place them in the refrigerator for 5-10 minutes until the chocolate is firm.
- Serve or store: Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days.
Notes
- Drying the berries is the most important step for a smooth coating. Any water will cause the chocolate to seize.
- For a white chocolate drizzle, melt a small amount of white chocolate separately and use a fork or piping bag to create thin lines over the set dark chocolate.
- If you want a very professional look, use tempered chocolate, but standard melting wafers or chips work well for home cooks.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 strawberry
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 5
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Unsaturated Fat: 3
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 13
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 1
- Cholesterol: 5