How To Make Chocolate Covered Strawberries

I had my first opportunity to see strawberries growing right in front of my eyes when we traveled to Mahabaleshwar, a popular hill station located in western India. This place that is nestled in the hills with breathtaking views rejuvenated me and strawberries proved to be the icing on the cake! Well I did bring a lot of strawberries home from my visit and was left wondering about how to make chocolate covered strawberries. That was when my aunt came to the rescue and told me about a recipe that could transform these already delicious strawberries into yummier goodies. My search did not end there and new chocolate covered strawberry recipes were revealed to me, which I would like to share with you, here they are.

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Required Ingredients

• 8 oz. of semi sweet chocolate
• 2 tablespoons of vegetable shortening
• ½ a teaspoon of orange extract
• Some fresh strawberries

Instructions

• First melt the sweet chocolate along with the vegetable shortening (using the microwave or the double boiler).
• Then slowly stir in the orange extract.
• Once that is done, dip the strawberries in the chocolate.
• Allow it to sit on the wax paper and wait until the chocolate hardens.

Chocolate Covered Strawberries with Milk, Vanilla and Almonds

Required Ingredients

• A package of semi-sweet bits
• A package of milk chocolate bits
• 3 teaspoons of Crisco shortening (melted)
• ¼ c. butter
• 2 to 2 ½ c. of confectioners’ sugar
• 1 teaspoon of milk
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla
• 1 teaspoon of almonds
• 1/8 teaspoons of almond
• About 25 to 30 strawberries

Instructions

• First melt the semi-sweet chocolate bits and shortening in a double boiler ensuring that it does not boil.
• Next cream the butter, milk and sugar and blend in the almonds and the vanilla (if you find it sticking, add more sugar).
• Now mould the mixture around the strawberry and put it on the wax paper to chill.
• Once that is done, dip in the chocolate with a fork and twirl. Place them on wax paper and chill.

Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

Required Ingredients

• 6 ounces of bittersweet chocolate (chopped)
• 3 tablespoons of heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon of butter
• About 10 large strawberries with long stems

Instructions

• First line a backing sheet with waxed paper or foil.
• Next melt the chocolate in the top of a double boiler, stirring as it melts.
• Then add 3 tablespoons of cream and butter and stir until smooth.
• Add additional cream to the chocolate till you achieve the desired coating consistency.
• Hold each strawberry by the stem and dip it into the chocolate mixture ensuring that the excess chocolate falls back into the pan.
• Once that is done, allow the chocolate to cool and then chill then in the refrigerator until the chocolate is set (this should take about 20 to 30 minutes).

Marbled Strawberries

Required Ingredients

• 8 ounces of dark chocolate
• 1.5 lbs of white chocolate
• 2 pints of strawberries with their stems on

Instructions

• First prepare a cookie sheet by lining it with waxed paper or aluminum foil.
• Then rinse the strawberries well and pat them dry with paper towels.
• Next temper both chocolates and keep them warm by wrapping the bottoms of the bowls in warm towels or placing them on a heating pad, set to "low."
• Drizzle some thin lines of dark chocolate on the bowl of white chocolate using a spatula or a spoon.
• Now hold the strawberry stem and drag it through the white and dark chocolate, first moving in one direction and then rotating the strawberry and moving it in the opposite direction. This is done to ensure that the front and the back are both completely covered.
• To allow the excess to drip down, hold the berry above the bowl of chocolate. Once this is done, place it carefully on the prepared baking sheet.
• Repeat the same process for the other strawberries and once it is finished place the tray in the refrigerator and allow the chocolate to set.

Chocolate Covered Strawberries with Brandy/Coffee

Required Ingredients

• About 60 large strawberries with their stems intact
• 1 package of semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips
• ¾ cup of half cream
• 1 to 2 tablespoons of brandy, or your favorite liqueur, or 2 teaspoons of prepared coffee

Instructions

• First line the baking sheet or the cookie pan with waxed paper.
• Then wash the strawberries and dry thoroughly.
• Melt the chocolates using either the boiler or the microwave.
• Once the chocolate has melted, remove from the heat and blend in brandy, liqueur or coffee.
• Once that is done, grasp the stem or green leaves and dip it into the chocolate and swirl in chocolate to partially cover it.
• Then gently shake the strawberry to fill in the cracks and remove the excess chocolate.
• That done, place it on the cookie sheet and repeat the process with the rest of the strawberries.
• Now set it aside or place it in the refrigerator to harden.