Chocolate covered Strawberries are irresistible treats made of fresh strawberries dipped in melted creamy milk chocolate, dark chocolate or white chocolate.
Making Chocolate covered strawberries are easy yet elegant and delicious. It is a perfect gift to someone special on Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Birthday, or any occasion.
Make it and indulge, enjoy it all to yourself.
It might look complicated, but it is one of the easiest fancy treat you can make at home.
It takes longer to wash and dry the strawberries. And guess what? It is way cheaper if homemade. Ordering a dozen, can cost you about $50. Pricey!
This treat is a great activity for your kids. Have them participate in making and decorating these wonderful treats. Let their creative side shine. It doesn’t have to be perfect, let them enjoy the process of making Chocolate Covered Strawberries.
Yesterday, I was at Sam’s Club and these strawberries caught my attention. They were fresh and humongous. The store attendant was stocking the coolers and was probably wondering what I was doing.
I was shifting the boxes of strawberries around. Some boxes have strawberries the size of 2 large strawberries combined and I was looking for something similar in sizes.
How to Make Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Ingredients and Supplies Needed
Main Ingredients: Ghirardelli Dark, Milk & White Chocolate Flavored Melting Wafers and Strawberries
Other Ingredients: You can decorate it with gel coloring, sprinkles or nuts, but these are optional.
Supplies: Toothpicks, foam board or BBQ sticks are optional.
Strawberries and Chocolate are the main ingredients needed to make these stunning treats.
Get strawberries while in season as they are sweet and juicy. Use firm ripe strawberries, not overly ripe and bruised.
Wash and dry each strawberry. Dry it well with a paper towel so chocolate sticks. Do this first so it has time to air dry, then prepare the other ingredients.
Prepare toppings. Crush nuts in a zip lock bag, food processor or mortar.
What Chocolate to Use to Make Chocolate Covered Strawberries
1. Ghirardelli Melts
I prefer to use Ghirardelli Melts since it is easier to prepare with no need for tempering. It is quicker to melt compared to a chocolate bark or chocolate chips or morsels.
Believe me, this will save you a lot of time and you cannot go wrong using Ghirardelli Melts. They are quality chocolate and delicious. It gives each dipped strawberry treats a smooth and glossy finish.
Pop it in the microwave and in less than a minute, it is ready to be used.
When melting the wafers, I like to use a smaller bowl. It is easier when dipping the strawberry.
2. Chocolate Chips or Chocolate Bark
Chocolate Chips or Chocolate Bark will take longer to set and it has to be properly tempered. It needs to be refrigerated to set while Chocolate Melts will set quickly in room temperature.
Note: Depending on your preference, you can use bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate chips or dark chocolate, milk chocolate or white chocolate melts.
How to Melt Chocolate in Microwave or Double Boiler
1. Microwave
Melting Chocolate Melts will be quicker in the microwave compared to Chocolate Chips or bark.
Place chocolate in a safe heat proof bowl and melt initially for 30 seconds, then stir and melt again at 15 seconds interval, stirring constantly.
Once it is melted with a few small bits of chocolate, you are done microwaving. Those small bits of chocolate will eventually melt, continue stirring constantly.
Let it sit for about 10 minutes to get it close to room temperature. Don’t dip strawberry right away while chocolate is hot.
2. Double Boiler or Sauce Pan with Safe Heat Proof Bowl
Another way of melting chocolate is using a double boiler. If you don’t own a double boiler, use a sauce pan and a safe heat proof bowl.
Fill double boiler or saucepan with 2 cups of water and bring to simmer. Reduce heat, if needed.
If using a sauce pan, place bowl on top but not touching water.
Add chocolate in double boiler or bowl, stirring constantly until chocolate is melted and smooth.
Remove top of double boiler or bowl from heat and add a handful of reserved chocolate to temper the chocolate. Stir until melted.
Properly tempered chocolate is key to a perfect dip.
Two Methods of Dipping Strawberry in Chocolate
1. Line tray or plate with parchment paper. Gather and hold the strawberry leaves and dip ¾ of fruit or dip it fully close to the leaves. Let the excess chocolate fall back to the bowl and use the edge of bowl to remove excess chocolate.
Decorate with sprinkles or nuts, then let it set on the parchment paper. If you like to drizzle with chocolate, you have to wait till it set.
When you lay it on the parchment paper, that side won’t have a smooth finish. Decorate the smooth side.
2. I prefer to use a BBQ stick. Insert stick halfway at center of leaves of strawberry, then dip in chocolate.
Rotate the stick slowly to remove excess chocolate then place it in a tall sturdy glass for a minute or two to set. It doesn’t take that long.
You can easily decorate the whole strawberry when attached to a BBQ stick.
Note: If you are decorating with melted chocolate, you can use a pastry bag or a spoon whichever you prefer. Also, when using Ghirardelli Melts, you don’t have to put it in the fridge to set. Just leave it in room temperature and within minutes chocolate is hard.
Can I Make Chocolate Covered Strawberries a Day Ahead?
You can but there will be a drop or two of leaking strawberry juice especially when using a BBQ stick.
Both strawberry and chocolate were able to hold its texture and still delicious. Store it in the fridge for about 2 to 3 days covered with saran wrap.
Recipe
How to Make Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Ingredients
- 12 large strawberries ripe and firm
- 10 oz Ghirardelli Chocolate Flavored Melting Wafers whichever you prefer, Milk, Dark or White Chocolate
- Toppings of your choice
Instructions
- Wash and dry thoroughly each strawberry with paper towel. Let it sit in room temperature to air dry while preparing the other ingredients. Dry well for chocolate to set well.
- In a safe heat proof glass or bowl, add Ghirardelli Chocolate Melts and microwave for 30 seconds. Remove from microwave and give it a quick stir. If not completely melted, place again in microwave at 15 second intervals, stirring thoroughly until melted. Overheating will cause chocolate melts to burn. When almost melted with small bits of chocolates still visible, remove from microwave, stir and it will continue melting.
- Leave melted chocolate in room temperature for about 10 minutes to get close to room temperature. Stir occasionally. Do not dip strawberry right away while chocolate is hot.
- If using a bbq stick, insert stick half way at the center of strawberry leaves. Prepare a sturdy tall glass or styrofoam board otherwise prepare a tray or plate lined with parchment paper.
- Dip ¾ of strawberry or dip fully (not the leaves) in chocolate. Rotate bbq stick to remove excess chocolate. If not using bbq stick, gather all the leaves and dip strawberry in chocolate. Remove excess chocolate by scraping gently on edge of bowl.
- If topping with sprinkles or nuts, roll chocolate covered strawberry right away before it set. It will set quickly. Place in parchment paper or glass.
- If drizzling with chocolate after dipping it in chocolate, let it set first. Once set, dip it again in chocolate or drizzle with chocolate. Use a pastry bag or spoon to decorate. Then transfer to parchment paper or tall glass to fully set.
- Note: If chocolate in bowl or chocolate in patry bag starts to set or harden, put it back in the microwave for 10 seconds or so to melt.
- That’s it, you are done! Serve it on the same day for a perfect treat. I like my strawberry cold, so I refrigerate before serving.
- Any leftovers can be stored in fridge covered with saran wrap up to 2 to 3 days. There will be a few drops of strawberry juice or moisture but strawberry and chocolate will hold its texture.
Video
Notes
- If you like a 2 toned strawberry, dip it once and set, then dip it again in chocolate and set.
- If you like to color the white chocolate, add a few drops of gel coloring before dipping strawberry.
- Microwave power differs, use judgement when microwaving chocolate melts.
Refrigerate leftover melted chocolate and use it for something else. Microwave before using.
Nutrition
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