Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Try this easy chocolate covered strawberries recipe, and you will never go back to store bought chocolate strawberries again!

Chocolate covered strawberries are the perfect dessert for any occasion.

Serve them at birthday parties, baby showers, graduations, weddings, Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, or just because. It’s pretty much always a good time for these sweet homemade chocolate dipped strawberries.

The berries also make great gifts. Box them up and send to friends and family, for a delicious gourmet holiday or Christmas gift.

Also try this Chocolate Banana Bread

Above, watch the step by step chocolate covered strawberry tutorial

The best chocolate covered strawberries

This healthy dessert recipe is always a favorite with party guests. And it can be gluten free, dairy free, nut free, sugar free, low carb, low calorie, keto, and vegan.

The bite sized treats taste like a portable version of fresh strawberries dipped in rich chocolate fondue. No wonder they are so popular!

Making your own chocolate covered strawberries at home tastes just as delicious as the ones you can buy from Shari’s Berries or Edible Arrangements.

Readers also love these Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate covered strawberry ingredients

To make the recipe, you will need fresh strawberries, chocolate chips or finely chopped chocolate bars or candy melts, and optional vegetable oil, coconut oil, or shortening.

You may use dark chocolate, semi sweet chocolate, white chocolate, or a combination.

Stirring the optional oil into the melted chocolate will yield a smoother sauce that more easily coats the berries. It is completely fine to omit for an oil free option.

Note: This same recipe can be used to make other chocolate covered fruit, such as cherries, raspberries, or chocolate covered orange slices.

A standard sixteen ounce container of strawberries from brands like Driscoll’s is equal to one pound or about twenty to twenty four berries. I have not tried this recipe using frozen strawberries.

Leftover strawberries? Eat them with Homemade Nutella

How to make chocolate covered strawberries

Start by washing your strawberries, then placing them on a paper towel or cloth towel to dry. Because water will make chocolate seize, it is very important to dry the berries completely before dipping in the chocolate sauce.

Line a baking tray or large plate with parchment paper or wax paper, and set it aside. Or get out a piece of Styrofoam (see below).

Melt your chocolate, either in a microwave or using the double boiler method below. For a smoother sauce, I like to stir in the optional oil after melting the chocolate.

Dip each strawberry into the liquid chocolate, either holding it by the stem or using a skewer, spoon, or fork.

Coat in any toppings you wish, then place the berry on the prepared tray. Once all strawberries are coated with chocolate, let them sit at room temperature to set the hard chocolate coating. Do not chill in the refrigerator, which could cause condensation to form on the berries.

If desired, melt some white chocolate chips, peanut butter, Coconut Butter, or almond butter. Use a spoon to drizzle it over the hardened chocolate strawberries. Or pour the melted chocolate into a plastic bag, cut a tiny bit off the side of the bag to make a small hole, and squeeze the chocolate out in a swirl or your preferred design.

The chocolate berries can be made ahead of time by a few hours or up to a day. If serving the day they are made, it is best to leave uncovered and to not refrigerate. However, if the chocolate covered strawberries will be sitting out for over eight hours, they should be stored in the refrigerator or freezer for freshness.

Leftover chocolate covered strawberries will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to two days or frozen in an airtight covered container for up to a month.

The trick to pretty strawberries

If using parchment paper, chocolate covered strawberries may stick a little to the plate. They are still easy to remove, but the chocolate on one side may not look as beautiful.

So I recommend using wax paper over parchment if you can. Or for perfect chocolate covered strawberries on all sides, place each berry on a skewer or toothpick and dip in chocolate. Stick the other end of the skewer into a piece of Styrofoam to let the berries dry. Once chocolate firms up, you can remove the strawberries and arrange on a plate.

How to melt chocolate

The two best ways to melt chocolate are either in a microwave or by using a double boiler, as chocolate can quickly burn when heated directly on the stovetop.

Double boiler method

If not already in small pieces, finely break up the chocolate with a knife.

Place the chocolate pieces in the top pan of a double boiler or in a heat safe mixing bowl over a saucepan or bottom double boiler filled with about an inch of simmering (not boiling) water.

To emphasize: The water goes in the bottom pan. Do not let any water touch the chocolate chips in the top pan.

Stir the chocolate until smooth, letting the steam indirectly heat and melt it slowly.

How to melt chocolate in the microwave

If using chocolate bars instead of chips, finely chop them with a knife.

Place the chocolate in a completely dry and microwave safe bowl. Heat for 20 seconds.

Stir, then heat in ten second increments, stirring after each to ensure the chocolate does not burn. It is important to melt chocolate slowly because it can burn quickly.

If adding oil, stir it in after melting the chocolate. Do not add water at any point.

Decorating chocolate strawberries

The most fun part about this kid friendly and easy chocolate dessert is getting to decorate the berries however you choose.

Use different types of chocolate for a beautiful marbled or drizzled effect. Or go to a local craft store and look for edible gold or silver glitter to sprinkle over top.

You can even decorate them to look like cute ladybugs or make diy chocolate footballs to serve as a Super Bowl party dessert.

For tuxedo strawberries, first dip the fresh strawberries in melted white chocolate. Let the chocolate shell harden in the fridge. Then dip the sides in semi sweet or dark chocolate to make a tuxedo pattern. Use a toothpick to add chocolate buttons.

Other chocolate covered strawberry topping ideas include shaved chocolate, mini chocolate chips, chia seeds, shredded coconut, vanilla frosting, purple or rainbow sprinkles, cereal or granola, or crushed walnuts, hazelnuts, pistachios, or pecans.

Package and shipping ideas

If serving the chocolate covered fruit at a party or event, try arranging them on a fancy tray, perhaps alongside a bottle of champagne.

Or use them to adorn cupcakes or cake, like this Vegan Chocolate Cake.

You can also make romantic chocolate strawberry bouquets. Place each berry on a long skewer, arrange the skewers in a flower vase, and add a few pink or red roses if desired.

To ship chocolate covered strawberries in the mail, pack them carefully in a bag, pie box, or candy box. I like these Chocolate Covered Strawberry Treat Boxes, which come with twenty four boxes and four compartments per box.

Choose same day, express, or overnight shipping and delivery for freshness, and chill the berries before packing. Be sure to insulate the box and pack the berries securely so they do not move around and individual strawberries do not touch each other or melt together during transit.

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