Learn how to make easy and perfect chocolate covered strawberries for Valentine's Day or Mother's Day! Full of tips for how to properly melt chocolate, and how to dip and decorate strawberries!
Chocolate covered strawberries are an easy treat to make for someone you love! It's ready in 15 minutes, and all you need are three ingredients!
It couldn't be easier making these chocolate covered strawberries. Simply melt the chocolate in the microwave for easy dipping and let the strawberries set at room temperature or in the fridge if they won't be consumed within 12 hours.
Surprise your loved ones with these on Valentine's Day or Mother's Day. It's a great treat all year round for any occasion, especially anniversaries, birthdays, or Christmas!
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Ingredients
Types of Chocolate
The type of chocolate to use for chocolate covered strawberries should be a good melting chocolate that makes it easy to dip. It should be free of added colors and have minimal ingredients. Look for packages that mention "melting chocolates" or "melting wafers".
- Chocolate chips - melts quickly due to their small size; easy to overheat
- Chocolate wafers - melts quickly due to small to moderate size
- Chocolate bars - requires chopping into small pieces first
Any of these chocolates would be great for chocolate covered strawberries:
- dark chocolate - semisweet or bittersweet
- milk chocolate
- white chocolate
- candy melts - not actually chocolate but a great substitute with a variety of colors.
Instructions
The best way to make chocolate covered strawberries is to start with clean, dry strawberries.
Prep strawberries
Gently rinse the strawberries under luke warm running water and pat them dry with a paper towel. Let them air dry at room temperature.
Reasons for drying the strawberries:
- It helps the chocolate adhere to the strawberries.
- Prevents the chocolate from separating or seizing.
Why room temperature strawberries?
Room temperature strawberries prevent condensation forming between the chocolate and strawberries. This can lead to separation of the chocolate shell from the strawberry.
All in all, you want to avoid any kind of moisture on your strawberries.
Melt chocolate
Chop your chocolate into small pieces and add them to a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 20 seconds at a time, stirring after each time. It may take you two or three times until it's ready.
When the chocolate is smooth and running and there are little to no visible pieces of unmelted chocolate, it's ready for dipping.
Dip strawberries
Hold the strawberries by the leaves or stem and dip them into the chocolate. Rotate them to make sure they are completely covered and lightly scrape the underside against the bowl.
If the chocolate starts to harden, microwave it for another 20 seconds until it melts.
Set them on parchment paper or wax paper to set at room temperature. Note: if adding toppings such as crushed nuts, coconut flakes, or sprinkles, add them now before the chocolate sets.
Decorate
Once the dark chocolate has set, add the melted white chocolate to a small plastic bag and cut a tiny hole in the corner. Use that to drizzle the white chocolate decoration on top. Otherwise, you can drizzle it on with a fork.
Toppings
- crushed nuts - peanuts, almonds, pistachios, pecans
- sprinkles - Valentine's Day sprinkles, Christmas sprinkles, birthday, etc
- coconut flakes - I recommend using desiccated coconut
- chocolate chips or shavings
- crushed cookie crumbs
Storage
If consuming within 12 hours, you can let them sit at room temperature, as long as it's not warm enough for the chocolate to melt.
Otherwise, chocolate covered strawberries need to be refrigerated if it will be longer than 12 hours before consumption. Store them in an airtight container in a single layer so they don't touch. They last up to 48 hours in the fridge but are best when consumed the day of.
Do not freeze chocolate covered strawberries as the strawberries will lose their texture when thawed.
Expert tips
- Thoroughly dry the strawberries to help the chocolate adhere.
- Use room temperature strawberries to avoid condensation.
- Make sure your chocolate is in small pieces before microwaving.
- Let the strawberries set at room temperature.
- Enjoy them within 12 hours!
Frequently asked questions
Chocolate covered strawberries can be stored at room temperature for up to 12 hours. Any longer and I recommend storing them in the refrigerator in a single layer in an airtight container.
They last up to 48 hours in the fridge but they are best when enjoyed within 12 hours.
You can decorate with white chocolate drizzle, sprinkles, chopped nuts, coconut flakes, or chocolate shavings.
Look for a chocolate labeled 'melting chocolate' or 'melting wafers'. Also look for high quality chocolate with a high percentage of cocoa butter.
Make sure the strawberries are thoroughly dried as that helps the chocolate adhere to the strawberries.
Using room temperature strawberries is recommended to avoid condensation, which can cause separation between the strawberry and the chocolate shell.
Strawberries will eventually leak because they release moisture when in contact with the chocolate for too long. They are best when enjoyed within 12 hours of making.
Recipe
Perfect Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Video
☑ Ingredients
- 1 lb strawberries - - gently washed and dried
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil - - (optional) use if you want a softer chocolate shell
Types of Chocolate (Use 8oz per 1 lb of strawberries)
- 8 oz bittersweet chocolate bar - - substitute with chocolate chips or wafers
- 8 oz semisweet chocolate bar - - substitute with chocolate chips or wafers
- 8 oz milk chocolate bar - - substitute with chocolate chips or wafers
- 2 oz white chocolate bar - - (optional) for drizzling on top
Toppings (Optional)
- crushed nuts - - peanuts, almonds, pistachios, pecans
- sprinkles
- coconut flakes
- chocolate chips or shavings
- crushed cookie crumbs
Instructions
- Wash the strawberries gently in room temperature water and thoroughly dry each strawberry with a paper towel. Leave them out at room temperature to completely dry. Note: Drying the strawberries very well is important because it helps the chocolate adhere to the strawberries and prevents the chocolate from separating. Room temperature strawberries prevent condensation forming between the chocolate and strawberries.
- Chop up the chocolate into little pieces and add it to a microwave safe bowl. Add the vegetable oil to the bowl, if using. Use a total of 8 ounces per chocolate per 1 pound of strawberries. Microwave it for 20 seconds at a time, stirring after each time. Stop when the chocolate is runny and smooth. Heating times vary by microwave, it took me 2 rounds.
- Dip each strawberry into the melted chocolate and rotate it to completely cover the strawberry. You can hold them by the leaves and stem or insert a toothpick into the stem.
- Lightly scrape the underside of the strawberry on the rim and place them on a piece of parchment or wax paper to set at room temperature.If using toppings, dip each strawberry into your topping of choice or sprinkle the toppings on top. Do this before the chocolate hardens on the strawberries.
- Chop the white chocolate into little pieces and add it to a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 20 seconds at a time until it's runny and smooth, stirring after each time.
- Fill a small plastic bag with the white chocolate and cut a tiny hole in the corner. Drizzle it on top of the chocolate covered strawberries. Otherwise, simply drizzle with a fork. Serve after the white chocolate sets at room temperature. (See Notes for storage instructions)
✎ Recipe Notes
Nutrition
*Nutritional information is an estimate, calculated using online tools.
Anjali
These chocolate covered strawberries turned out perfectly, and were super easy to make! My whole family was impressed! Can't wait to make them again for Valentine's Day!
Farrukh Aziz
Classic chocolate and strawberry combo! These chocolate covered strawberries look so decadent and delicious! Can't wait to try this, my kids will love it!
Michelle
My chocolate covered strawberries came out perfect! Followed the recipe exactly and added a few drop of vegetable oil. Delicious!
Ksenia
Such a yummy valentines treat! I can’t wait to feed those to my husband 😉
Catherine
My mouth is watering!!
Audrey
Strawberries and chocolate are perfect for Valentine's Day!!! Love this!
Emily Flint
So pretty and just in time for Valentine's day!
Alex
These are so easy and delicious!
Julie
These Chocolate Covered Strawberries were delightful! Your tips and tricks really helped me - I had not idea about not storing the strawberries in the fridge before hand because of condensation, so I feel like I learnt so much. We used dark chocolate and then a little white chocolate, but I love your idea about candy melts, so I am going to try that next time!
Jamie
Thanks Julie! So glad you found my tips helpful! 🙂
Jenna
The chocolate coating looks so perfect on the strawberries! Thanks for the tips on how to make these!
Genevieve
These look so delicious! thanks for the recipe!
Aparna
Made this for a surprise after school snack for my kids. Simply delicious!
Beth Sachs
They look so cute. I'm going to give these chocolate covered strawberries a try with the kids at the weekend!
Sara Welch
What perfect looking strawberries! Definitely giving these a try for Valentine's Day; looks too good to pass up!
Jenn
How beautiful! I had no idea it would be this easy to make chocolate covered strawberries!
Beth
Oh my goodness my daughter is going to love this recipe! Strawberry anything is her favorite! Can't wait to give this a try!