Chocolate Covered Strawberries Recipe – Easy Strawberry Dessert

Last Updated on 4 months by Neha Deshmukh

Chocolate Covered Strawberries Recipe – Easy Strawberry Dessert

Hey everyone! If you’re looking for a super simple, yet incredibly impressive dessert, you’ve come to the right place. I first made these chocolate covered strawberries for a friend’s birthday, and they were a huge hit. Honestly, they look way fancier than they are to make – perfect for when you want to wow someone without spending hours in the kitchen! Let’s get started, shall we?

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These chocolate covered strawberries are the ultimate treat for so many reasons. They’re quick – seriously, from start to finish, you’re looking at about 15 minutes. They require minimal ingredients, and who doesn’t love the classic combo of sweet strawberries and rich chocolate? Plus, they’re endlessly customizable, making them perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make these delightful little bites:

• 100 grams compound chocolate (about ¾ cup chocolate chips)
• 10 fresh strawberries
• Sprinklers/rice crisps (for decoration) – optional, but fun!

Ingredient Notes

Let’s talk chocolate. I love using compound chocolate for this recipe. It’s so much easier to melt than regular chocolate – no double boiler needed! You can find it easily in most Indian grocery stores. It’s also pretty forgiving, which is great if you’re new to chocolate work.

Now, about those strawberries! The best time to get really sweet, juicy strawberries in India is generally during the winter months (November to March). But you can find decent ones year-round these days. Just make sure they’re firm, bright red, and smell amazing.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Alright, let’s get cooking!

1. First things first, wash and thoroughly dry your strawberries. This is super important – any moisture will cause the chocolate to seize up.
2. Break your compound chocolate into small pieces and put them in a microwave-safe bowl. Melt it in 30-second intervals at medium power (450W), stirring between each cycle. Keep going until it’s smooth and glossy.
3. Now, insert a toothpick into the stem end of each strawberry. This gives you something to hold onto while dipping, and it makes things a lot less messy!
4. Dip each strawberry into the melted chocolate, coating about ¾ of it, or go all the way – it’s up to you! Gently tap off any excess chocolate.
5. While the chocolate is still wet, sprinkle with your favorite sprinkles or crushed rice crisps.
6. Place the dipped strawberries on a plate and let them set. If you’re in a hurry, pop them in the fridge for about 10 minutes to speed things up.

Expert Tips

Want to take your chocolate covered strawberries to the next level? Here are a few things I’ve learned over the years:

• Smooth Chocolate is Key: Stir the chocolate frequently while melting to prevent burning. If it gets too thick, add a tiny bit of vegetable oil (like ¼ teaspoon) and stir until smooth.
• Preventing Bloom: Chocolate bloom (that white coating that sometimes appears) happens when the chocolate isn’t tempered properly. Compound chocolate is less prone to this, but storing them properly (see below) helps.
• Strawberry Handling: Be gentle with the strawberries! They’re delicate and can bruise easily.

Variations

This recipe is a blank canvas for your creativity! Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Vegan Option: Use vegan white chocolate instead of compound chocolate. There are some great brands available online now.
• Spice Level: My friend Priya loves adding a tiny pinch of chili powder to the melted chocolate for a little kick. It’s surprisingly delicious!
• Festival Adaptations:
  • Valentine’s Day: Use pink sprinkles and arrange the strawberries in a heart shape.
  • Christmas: Dip the strawberries in red and green chocolate and add festive sprinkles.
  • Diwali Gifting: Package them beautifully in small boxes for a sweet treat to share with family and friends.

Serving Suggestions

These are best enjoyed fresh! Arrange them on a pretty platter and serve with a cup of chai or a glass of milk. They’re also a lovely addition to a dessert spread.

Storage Instructions

Store leftover chocolate covered strawberries in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’re best enjoyed within 2-3 days, as the strawberries will start to soften over time.

FAQs

Let’s answer some common questions:

1. Can I use dark chocolate instead of compound chocolate?
You can, but it’s a bit trickier. Dark chocolate needs to be tempered properly to get a nice shine and prevent bloom. Compound chocolate is much more forgiving.

2. How do I prevent the chocolate from seizing?
Make sure your strawberries are completely dry! Even a tiny bit of water can cause the chocolate to seize up and become grainy.

3. What’s the best way to store chocolate-covered strawberries?
In an airtight container in the fridge.

4. Can I make these ahead of time? If so, for how long?
You can make them a few hours ahead of time, but they’re best enjoyed fresh. The strawberries will start to soften after a day or two.

5. My chocolate is too thick, what can I do?
Add a tiny bit of vegetable oil (¼ teaspoon at a time) and stir until smooth.

6. What kind of strawberries work best for this recipe?
Firm, ripe strawberries are ideal. Avoid strawberries that are mushy or bruised.

Enjoy making (and eating!) these delicious chocolate covered strawberries! Let me know in the comments how yours turn out.