A delicious treat that can be healthy depending on how it is made, is handmade chocolate covered strawberries.
For a healthy version, choose dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate or white chocolate.
While you can buy them already made, making them at home is really easy and you get more for your money.
How To Make The Perfect Handmade Chocolate Covered Strawberries
You really can make the perfect handmade chocolate covered strawberries at home.
They will look as good as the ones you buy, taste better and are the perfect healthy snack for Valentines Day or any day really.
The success of this recipe depends on two things.
The first and most important thing is to make sure the strawberries are completely dry before dipping them in the chocolate.
If possible, wash them the day before you intend to dip them and let them dry at room temperature.
At the very minimum allow them to air dry for a minimum of an hour and then check them to make sure they are completely dry.
If the strawberries have any water left on them, the chocolate will not adhere to the strawberries correctly, which is why I strongly recommend allowing them to dry overnight.
The second thing is to insure success with this recipe is to add a little bit of coconut oil, melted butter or a neutral tasteless oil, such as sunflower oil, to the melted chocolate prior to dipping the strawberries.
Use one tablespoon coconut oil per cup of chocolate chips for best results.
Be sure to mix the oil and chocolate well as the oil will want to seperate.
Adding the oil to the melted chocolate helps to keep the chcoolate from breaking apart and falling off the strawberries when someone bites into the chocolate covered strawberries.
The Types Of Chocolate Used In The Photos
I love dark chocolate, not only because of the health benefits, but also because I am not big on sugary sweet treats due to the issues I have with pre-diabetes.
Of course, if you want really pretty decorated handmade chocolate covered strawberries you need to use several different types of chocolate.
For the images, three types of chocolate chips were used: 60% cacao dark chocolate (larger chips), semi-sweet chocolate, and white chocolate baking chips.
If you want other colors of chocolate, I recommend using Wilton Candy Melts.
If you want to simplify things or don't care if the strawberries look fancy, use one cup of either the dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips.
PrintHandmade Chocolate Covered Strawberries
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (+ time for strawberries to dry thoroughly and for melted chocolate to set)
- Cook Time: 4 - 5 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 - 6 1x
Ingredients
- 1 16-oz. container strawberries, preferably organic
- ½ c. 60% cacao dark chocolate baking chips*
- 1 ½ T. coconut oil, divided
- ½ c. semi-sweet chocolate chips*
- ¼ c. white chocolate chips
- ¼ c. pecans, very finely chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Line a large baking sheet with wax paper or a Silpat™ baking mat. Set aside.
- Thoroughly wash strawberries and pat dry with a paper towel or allow to air dry.
- Place the strawberries on the prepared baking sheet and allow them air dry for one hour or until completely dry. Overnight is recommended.
- Place the dark chocolate chips and one-half tablespoon coconut oil in a medium microwave-safe bowl.
- Microwave the chocolate chips 20 seconds at a time, stirring in between each segment, until they are melted and completely smooth.
- If using two types of chocolate chips, repeat steps #4 and #5 with the semi-sweet chocolate chips, one-half tablespoon coconut oil, and the remaining strawberries.
- Dip half the strawberries into the dark chocolate until covered.
- Gently drag the bottom edge against the side of the bowl to remove excess chocolate before transferring the handmade chocolate covered strawberry to the baking sheet.
- If you are using pecans, place the finely chopped pecans in a small bowl and set aside.
- Dip the bottom of the strawberries in the melted chocolate and then dip into the bowl of chopped pecans.
- Swirl the strawberries until the bottom of each strawberry is completely coated in the nuts.
- Transfer the strawberries to the baking sheet with the other strawberries.
- Allow the chocolate to harden on the strawberries for approximately 30 minutes at room temperature.
- Once the chocolate is hard, place the white chocolate chips and the remaining coconut oil in a medium microwave-safe bowl.
- Microwave the chocolate, 20 seconds at a time, stirring in between segments, until the chocolate is completely melted.
- Carefully drizzle the melted white chocolate over half the chocolate-covered strawberries with a spoon. For better control, use a pastry bag fitted with a very small tip or an empty squeeze bottle for this.
- When the chocolate is firm, remove the baking sheet from the refrigerator and serve immediately. Enjoy!
Notes
*Use either 1 cup dark chocolate chips or semi-sweet chocolate chips, if preferred
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