Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

Indulge your sweetie this Valentine’s Day and say I LOVE YOU with romantic chocolate dipped strawberries. They are easy to make, decadent to eat and so much less expensive that purchased ones.

Grateful Prayer Thankful Heart is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. We will only recommend products we use and love.

How-to make chocolate dipped strawberries

Begin with the largest and prettiest strawberries you can find. Wash them gently and allow to thoroughly dry. Any amount of water will cause the chocolate to seize so it is very important that the berries be completely dry. After rinsing the strawberries in a colander under running water, spread them on a clean kitchen towel and allow to air dry for about 30 minutes. 

Melting the chocolate

Pour the chocolate chips into a medium size microwave-safe bowl and add the shortening. The shortening makes the strawberries easier to dip and gives the chocolate a beautiful shiny appearance.

Heat in the microwave on half power for 30 seconds. 

Stir the chips and shortening and repeat microwaving in 30 second intervals. At first the chocolate will just begin to melt and with each increment the mixture will become smoother.

Continue until mixture is completely melted and smooth, about 3-4 times being very careful not to overheat the chocolate, or it may seize.

Dipping the strawberries

Just before dipping the berries in the melted chocolate, blot them with a paper towel just to be sure they are as dry as possible.

Dip each strawberries into the melted chocolate, turning to cover. You can use your fingers or try inserting a fork into the top of the berry works well with less mess. 

Allow the excess chocolate to drip off and run the bottom of the berry along the edge of the bowl to remove excess chocolate from pooling as the chocolate hardens.

Allowing the dipped strawberries to cool

Place the strawberries on a piece of parchment paper or a silicone mat covered cookie sheet.

You can leave the gorgeous chocolate covered strawberries just like they are or you can decorate them with sprinkles or splashes of chocolate in a contrasting color.

Decorating the chocolate dipped strawberries

Melt the white chocolate and the shortening together in a small bowl using the microwave in the same way as above. 

Using half power, 30 second intervals and stirring between each interval, continue until melted and smooth. 

Using a small spoon or a fork, drizzle the melted white chocolate over the berries. If you would like to be more precise in decorating, add the melted chocolate to a piping bag or small baggie with a tiny hole cut in the corner. 

Place individual chocolate dipped strawberries into paper muffin papers and arrange in a tin or place on a pretty plate.

 
Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial

Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pound large strawberries
• 8 ounces milk or dark chocolate chips
• 2 Tablespoons shortening plus 1 teaspoon, divided
• Nestle Toll House Premier White Morsels

DIRECTIONS

Rinse and dry the strawberries, making sure the berries are fully dry.

Place the chocolate chips into a microwave-safe bowl and add 2 tablespoons of  shortening. Heat on power level 5 (half-power) for 30 seconds.

Stir the chips and shortening mixture and repeat microwaving in 30-second intervals. Continue until mixture is completely melted and smooth, about 4-5 times. Be careful not to overheat the chocolate.

Just before dipping the strawberries into the melted chocolate, blot them with paper towels be sure they are completely dry.

Dip the strawberries into the melted chocolate, twisting to cover. Run the bottom of the berries along the edge of the bowl to remove excess chocolate. Place the coated strawberries on a parchment or silicon lines cookie sheet.

In a small bowl, melt the white chocolate and 1 teaspoons shortening together in the microwave as with the dark chocolate. Drizzle the melted white chocolate over the berries. While the chocolate is still wet, decorate by adding the patriotic sprinkles.

Allow the chocolate covered strawberries to dry and harden on the counter for an hour or so. Drying time can be hastened by placing the strawberries in the refrigerator. This might dull the chocolate a little but it makes no difference in the taste.

Storing chocolate dipped strawberries

The chocolate dipped strawberries are really best eaten the day they are made. If you have leftover berries or want to make them ahead here are a few guidelines.

• Store at room temperature for one day. Cover lightly with foil or plastic wrap leaving a little room for air to circulate.
• Chocolate covered strawberries can be kept in the refrigerator for several days, though it is best to enjoy them within 48 hours.  Cover them in wax paper and store them in an airtight container so that the fruit won’t go bad.

You might also like…

Red Velvet Marbled Cake

Shirley Temple Floats

Build a Valentine’s Day Gingerbread House