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How to Make Chocolate Covered Strawberries at Home

May 4, 2022

Chocolate dipped strawberries are a luxurious treat that are incredibly easy to make at home. Learn tips about how to best make this easy, yet gourmet dessert to enjoy yourself or give as a gift.



COOK + BAKE   |   Updated March 24, 2023




Strawberry covered in chocolate









Chocolate dipped strawberries seem like a luxury to buy and savor, but are actually an easy and affordable treat to make in your own kitchen.


For about $5, you can have an entire pound of homemade juicy chocolate covered strawberries – a fraction of what just a few will set you back if purchased online or from a chocolate shop. And it isn’t difficult to make them look professionally done, either.


If you are interested in making your own chocolate covered strawberries at home for yourself or to give as an edible gift (they are perfect for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, or as a hostess gift), here is your step-by-step guide to everything you should know.




Strawberries and chocolate covered strawberries on white counter






HOW TO MAKE FANCY CHOCOLATE DIPPED STRAWBERRIES AT HOME






A Few Helpful Tips for Making the Best Chocolate Dipped Strawberries



  • Pick fresh, not frozen, strawberries that are firm, bright red, and ripe without any bruises and that have vibrant green leaves. Deep red berries are too ripe and will be mushy.


  • Wash the berries when you are ready to use them. Their shelf life is decreased when you wash the fruit days in advance.


  • The berries should be completely dry and at room temperature. The chocolate will stick to the berries best when they are not cold. Allow them to sit out for about 30 minutes before coating them. 







  • It is helpful to put your chocolate into a cup or small bowl so that the berry can be fully submerged and dipped straight up and down.


  • Don’t remove the green stem (or calyx) of the strawberry. The juice of the berry can leak from here, reducing the lifespan of your chocolate covered strawberry. Plus, it makes a handy place to hold onto when dipping!


  • Your chocolate should be warm. The strawberry will soften if it is scorched by something too hot.


  • Choose your favorite type of chocolate – white, dark, milk chocolate or even bittersweet and semi-sweet can be used to make chocolate covered strawberries. While good quality chocolate will melt easier and taste richer, any brand or type you have on hand will do.





Red strawberries on white flour sack towel



STRAWBERRY WASH

Strawberries tend to go bad quickly in the refrigerator, but you can extend their life up to a week by washing them in a diluted vinegar wash that kills the bacteria makeing them spoil prematurely.



  • Soak strawberries for 10 minutes in a mixture of 3 cups of water and 1/4 cup white or apple cider vinegar.

  • Rinse them with cold water to remove any lingering vinegar.

  • Air dry them on a towel, turning occasionally.






Strawberries sitting next to bowl of melted chocolate



Gourmet Topping Ideas


Want something a little fancier than just a plain chocolate covered strawberry? Try dipping your fruit in some of these toppings while the chocolate is still wet to create a gourmet style treat.

  • Chopped nuts like peanuts, pistachios, pecans, hazelnuts, or almonds

  • Flaky sea salt (wait until your chocolate has started to set just a bit so that it doesn’t immediately dissolve in the warm chocolate)

  • Coarse sugar

  • Toasted coconut

  • Sprinkles

  • Mini chocolate chips

  • Graham cracker crumbs

  • Crushed oreo cookies

  • Crushed pretzels for a sweet and salty combination

  • Freeze dried berries

  • Drizzle with more melted chocolate (Do this after the chocolate has had time to set)

  • Dip in half white and half chocolate for a two-toned effect

  • Color white chocolate with gel food coloring





Dipping strawberry in mug of chocolate



Ingredients You’ll Need to Make Chocolate Dipped Strawberries


  • 1 pound of fresh strawberries, green tops still attached

  • 1 cup of your favorite chocolate chips, wafers, or baking chocolate (melt more if you are adding a drizzle or double dipping)

  • Toppings (optional)







How to Make Chocolate Covered Strawberries at Home


STEP 1: Wash and dry the strawberries. Lay them out on a flour sack towel or piece of paper towel, patting them quickly and then allowing them to air dry at room temperature for about 30 minutes.


STEP 2: Meanwhile, begin melting your chocolate using your preferred method.



READ NEXT: Failproof Way to Melt Chocolate in the Oven



STEP 3: Prepare your work area by covering a baking sheet with parchment or waxed paper, setting out a hot mat for resting your warm dish of chocolate, and putting your toppings into separate bowls or plates.





STEP 4: When your chocolate is melted and stirred, begin dipping your room temperature strawberries. Hold them either by gathering the green leaves or insert two toothpicks into the top. Coat each strawberry completely by tilting, lifting, and twisting it in the chocolate. Then allow the excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl. You may want to gently scrape the side along the edge of the bowl to get off any excess that could pool under the berry as it sits.


STEP 5: Dip the strawberry into your toppings or leave plain and set it down on your baking tray with space in between each berry. Allow the chocolate on the berry to set before adding a drizzle if desired or double dipping them for an extra chocolatey treat.


STEP 6: Let the berries to set at room temperature until hard. Or if you are in a hurry, place the tray into the refrigerator for 15 minutes.


STEP 7: Serve the chocolate covered strawberries at room temperature.




Closeup of chocolate dipped strawberry



How to Store Chocolate Covered Strawberries


  • If you are planning on eating the strawberries the same day as they are made (which is preferred for the best flavor and quality), store them for up to 12 hours uncovered on a counter that is away from heat and sunlight.


  • To store the strawberries overnight, put them in a single layer not touching on a baking sheet lined with paper towel. Lightly cover them with plastic wrap and set in the refrigerator. Know that storing them in the fridge creates condensation which will change the texture of the strawberries and keeps the chocolate from looking its best.


  • Do not freeze the chocolate covered strawberries. The berries will become soft and as they thaw they will release moisture and ruin the chocolate coating.





Chocolate covered strawberry cut open



How Long Will Chocolate Covered Strawberries Last?


Strawberries that have been dipped in chocolate are best enjoyed the day of they are made and should be completely eaten within 2 days. The chocolate coating causes the berries to sweat and release moisture which affects their texture and the chocolate’s ability to stay adhered to the berry.


If you need to make chocolate covered strawberries in advance, do it only one day ahead. Once the coating has hardened, cover the berries with paper towel to keep the berries from sweating before placing them in the refrigerator. Be sure to remove the strawberries from the fridge at least 30 minutes before serving and gently blot them with a clean paper towel to remove the excess moisture that has formed. They won’t look quite as pretty the next day, but will still be delicious.






What Else Can You Do With Chocolate Covered Strawberries?


While they are a delicious treat to enjoy just as they are, chocolate dipped strawberries are a nice addition to desserts and snacks as well.

  • Use as a fancy edible garnish on a charcuterie board

  • Set one on top of a cupcake

  • Surround the base of a cake

  • Create a fruit bouquet

  • Top a slice of cheesecake

  • Place a half dozen in a fancy box or tin to give as a gift





Chocolate covered strawberries sitting on wax paper



In about 20 minutes, you can have an entire tray of juicy strawberries covered in a solid chocolate shell ready for someone to bite into them.


Sometimes you just need an extra special treat and preparing even just a few basic chocolate covered strawberries without toppings or drizzle can be a great pick me up without investing much time or money.


READ NEXT: How to Make Homemade Chocolate Covered Cherries just like the fancy candy shops








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