Tips and Recipes for Perfect Chocolate Covered Strawberries
The Ultimate Guide to Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Chocolate covered strawberries are a classic treat that never seem to go out of style. The sweet, juicy strawberry dipped in decadent chocolate is a irresistible combination that is perfect for everything from Valentine's Day to weddings to just treating yourself. Read on for tips, tricks, and recipes for taking your chocolate covered strawberries to the next level.
Supplies You'll Need
Making chocolate covered strawberries at home is easy with just a few supplies:
- Fresh strawberries - Choose ripe, bright red berries with the stem and leaves intact.
- Chocolate - Milk, dark and white chocolate all work well. Chop into small pieces for easier melting.
- Double boiler or microwave safe bowl - For melting the chocolate.
- Dipping tools - Fork, skewers or a deep spoon or ladle for dipping the berries.
- Cooling rack and parchment paper - For drying the chocolate covered strawberries after dipping.
- Optional toppings - Sprinkles, crushed nuts, coconut, drizzles of contrasting chocolate, etc.
Wash and Dry the Strawberries
Start by gently washing your strawberries under cool running water. Pat them completely dry with paper towels. Any moisture left on the surface can make the chocolate seize up and not spread smoothly. Make sure the berries are dry before moving onto the next step.
Melt the Chocolate
There are a couple different methods you can use to melt chocolate for dipping:
- Double boiler: Fill a saucepan with a couple inches of water and bring it to a bare simmer. Place a heatproof bowl over the pan, making sure it doesn't touch the water. Add chopped chocolate to the bowl and stir frequently until completely smooth and melted.
- Microwave: Add chopped chocolate to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring between each, until melted and smooth. Be careful not to overheat or you can burn the chocolate.
Melting just what you need for each batch of strawberries helps keep the chocolate at the ideal dipping temperature. Melted chocolate will thicken as it cools, so reheat as needed to keep a smooth consistency.
Dip the Strawberries
Now comes the fun part - dipping! Hold each strawberry by the stem/leaves and dip into the melted chocolate, twisting to coat. Tap off any excess chocolate, then place on the prepared cooling rack. Decorate with any toppings if desired. Let the chocolate set completely before serving or packaging up.
Tips for picture perfect, professionally dipped chocolate covered strawberries:
- Use a spoon, ladle or deep dipping tool to help coat more of the berry at once.
- Gently scrape the tip along the rim of the bowl to remove excess chocolate for a neat appearance.
- Dip about 3/4 of each berry, leaving a portion of the red berry peeking through the chocolate.
- Place dipped berries stem-side up on the rack so the chocolate doesn't run down the side.
- Work in batches so the chocolate stays smooth and at dipping temperature.
Let the Chocolate Set
This is one of the most important steps for perfect, glossy chocolate covered strawberries. If not allowed to properly set, the chocolate can slide right off the berry. Let the dipped strawberries sit undisturbed on the cooling rack for at least 1-2 hours. The room temperature should not exceed 75°F for ideal chocolate setting.
The fridge is not the best place for setting chocolate covered strawberries, as condensation can form on the surface and affect the crisp, glossy finish. But you can speed up the setting process by first letting them sit at room temperature until the shells harden, then transferring to the fridge for 30 minutes to finish setting.
Store Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Once completely set, chocolate covered strawberries should be consumed within 2-3 days for the best quality and texture. Store freshly dipped berries in a single layer in an airtight container the refrigerator. You can also freeze chocolate covered strawberries up to 2-3 weeks - just thaw at room temperature before serving.
To gift chocolate covered strawberries, arrange the berries in a single layer in a box, tray or cake pan with parchment between layers. Keep berries refrigerated until ready to deliver or serve.
Creative Flavor Ideas
While the classic chocolate dipped strawberry will always be a crowd favorite, there are lots of opportunities to get creative with flavors:
- White chocolate - Sweeter and creamier than dark chocolate.
- Dark chocolate - For a more sophisticated, bittersweet flavor.
- Swirled chocolate - Alternate dipping in dark and white chocolate.
- Colored chocolate - Add a drop of oil-based food coloring to melted chocolate.
- Citrus zest - Grate fresh lemon, orange or lime zest into the chocolate.
- Crushed candy - Sprinkle with crushed peppermints, cookies or toffee before chocolate sets.
- Nuts - Coat sides in chopped nuts - pistachios, hazelnuts, almonds, etc.
- Sprinkles - For a fun and colorful twist.
Dip berries in stripes, polka dots or other patterns using contrasting chocolate colors. Drizzle melted chocolate over set berries. Get creative and come up with your own signature style!
Chocolate Strawberry Kebobs
Assemble fruit and chocolate on skewers for a stunning presentation. Kebobs make it easy to gift chocolate covered strawberries or serve them up at a party. Simply thread dipped strawberries and other items like marshmallows, pineapple chunks, banana slices or orange wedges onto bamboo skewers.
Boozy Strawberries
For adults, give chocolate dipped strawberries a kick with liquor or liqueur. Vodka, rum, champagne and amaretto all pair wonderfully with the fruit and chocolate flavors. Brush or drizzle the liquor over berries before drizzling with chocolate for the ultimate indulgence.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance can I dip strawberries?
For the best quality and texture, you'll want to dip and serve chocolate covered strawberries the same day. If needed, you can store dipped berries in a single layer in an airtight container in the fridge up to 2-3 days. Any longer and the fruit will become mushy and the chocolate will start to dull and weep oil.
Is there a fast way to dry strawberries after washing?
The most important thing is that the strawberries are completely dry before dipping to prevent seizing of the chocolate. Pat berries thoroughly dry with paper towels. You can also try using a salad spinner to help remove excess moisture.
What is the best chocolate for dipping strawberries?
Milk, dark and white chocolate all make great coating options. Milk and dark chocolate provide richer flavor and color. White chocolate is sweeter with a creamier texture. Use high quality chocolate with at least 32% cocoa butter for a smooth dipping consistency.
Can I use chocolate chips instead of bar chocolate?
Chocolate chips are formulated to hold their shape when baked into cookies. They don't always melt smoothly for dipping. Chopping up bars or wafers gives the best consistency and works best.
Why does my chocolate turn white and gritty?
This is referred to as chocolate "seizing" and happens if any moisture gets into the chocolate during melting. To avoid seizing, make sure strawberries are completely dry and no water gets into the melted chocolate. If it does start to seize, adding a small amount of shortening and gently stirring can help smooth it out.
Why is my chocolate sliding off the strawberries?
This can happen if the berries aren't dried well enough before dipping. Ensure berries are completely dry before coating in chocolate. It's also essential to let the chocolate set properly, undisturbed at room temperature for 1-2 hours. This allows the chocolate shell to harden.
Delicious Chocolate Covered Strawberry Recipes
Once you've mastered the basics, try out some of these fun recipes for picture-perfect chocolate dipped strawberries every time. Let your creativity run wild!