A dessert that is actually good for you? That would be dark chocolate dipped strawberries. You can indulge and not feel guilty. Chocolate dipped strawberries are the perfect treat for Valentine’s Day or any special occasion. Don’t spend a fortune for fancy berries off the internet; make your own, save a bundle and have fun.
I don’t know anyone who can resist the classic flavor of strawberries dipped in chocolate. They’ve disappeared quickly at every event I’ve ever catered. I once made 500 for a large event. It was so much fun! A site to behold, platter after platter of gorgeous, dark chocolate dipped strawberries. A small plate for just you and your special date or dinner guests is just as impressive. The accolades you’ll receive are almost guaranteed.
Wash Strawberries
When choosing strawberries, go for larger berries that have a nice green leaves or stem. That stem becomes your handle when you dip the berries. Choose organic strawberries if you can for the best flavor and reduced exposure to pesticides.
Wash the strawberries in cool water and allow them to dry thoroughly. They must be totally dry, because water and chocolate are enemies. If they are at all wet, the water will cause the chocolate to “seize” or become an unworkable, clumpy mess. Place the berries on a tray or plate lined with paper towels while you melt the chocolate and gather your decorations.
Melt Chocolate
For health benefits, choose dark, bittersweet chocolate. Choose one with a 70% rating. That percentage is the amount of chocolate solids. The higher the percentage, the more bitter and the less sweet the chocolate is. Our favorite is Scharffen Berger. Valrhona, and Guittard are also good options. It you want to decorate with white chocolate, I prefer Valrhona. It has the best creamy taste in white chocolate. You can order these brands off the internet from Amazon or buy it at many higher end grocers, some cooking stores, and sometimes Cost Plus World Market.
Get Ready To Dip
There are two ways to melt chocolate: double boiler or microwave. I prefer the double boiler method because it’s easier to control the viscosity of the chocolate. Either way, you want to melt chocolate slowly to minimize any graininess.
To set up a double boiler, place a large (4-5 quart or liter) saucepan over medium heat with a few inches of water. Bring to a strong simmer. Place a small to medium sized stainless steel bowl on top of the pan. It should fit just inside the pan, and the bottom of the pan should not touch the water. Turn the heat down to low.
Place chocolate in the bowl and melt slowly. Once the chocolate is almost smooth, turn off the heat and stir. It will become smooth. I find that the chocolate dips and clings the best when it is not too fluid. You will feel the right temperature.
Carefully holding the strawberry by the stem, dip the berry into the melted chocolate, rolling it around to coat evenly. Leave a little berry showing at the top. Allow excess chocolate to drip off, then turn the berry upside down for a few moments. Place the chocolate dipped berry on a parchment or wax paper covered plate or tray. I use quarter size rimmed baking sheets, an indispensible tool.
Decorating Your Strawberries
If you are going to decorate the berries, allow the chocolate to set for a minute, then sprinkle with decorations. Sprinkling works better than rolling as it’s easier to control the coverage. Sometimes you get too much when you roll them in the decorations. Do what works best for you. One good option is the Natures Colors naturally colored sugars from India Tree.
To decorate with white chocolate patterns, melt the white chocolate in a double boiler. When fluid, drizzle the white chocolate with a fork and drag a toothpick through the white chocolate in the opposite direction. You can also use a small piping bag to create an kind of pattern you want.
Allow the berries to dry and set up completely. You can place them in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. They will be the best if enjoyed the day they are made, or at the latest the next day.
Dark Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
Yield: Approximately 18-20 berries or 6-10 servings
Ingredients
- 18-20 large fresh, strawberries (preferably organic)
- 8-10 ounces (225 – 285 grams) of good quality, dark or bittersweet chocolate, rated 70%, chopped coarse
- Assorted decorative sprinkles, optional
- 3 ounces (85 grams) good quality white chocolate, optional for decorating
Directions
- Wash strawberries and allow them to dry totally and completely on a paper towel lined plate or tray. Ready another plate or tray with wax paper or parchment to hold the dipped berries.
- Set up a double boiler. Fill a 4-5 quart (liter) saucepan with a few inches of water. Bring to a strong simmer. Place the dark chocolate in a small to medium stainless steel bowl that will fit just inside of the pan. Place bowl inside of the pan and turn heat down to low. Melt chocolate slowly, stirring occasionally until smooth.
- Carefully holding a berry my the stem, dip and roll the berry in the melted chocolate. Allow excess to drip off, then turn the berry upside down for a few seconds to set. Place the berry on the clean line tray. When berry has set for a minute, sprinkle with decorative sugar if desired. To decorate with white chocolate, melt the white chocolate and use a fork to drizzle lines on the berries, then drag a toothpick across the lines to create a pattern.
Note – for clean white lines, allow the chocolate to set up completely, then drizzle with the white chocolate.
Helpful Links and Good Information
How to fix seized chocolate, and tips for working with chocolate.
Chocosphere, an internet resource that is chocolate heaven! If you order chocolate in bulk, check out their website.
Information on Valrhona chocolate. buy it on Amazon
Information on Scharffen Berger chocolate. Buy it on Amazon
Information on Guittard chocolate, buy it on Amazon
Dark chocolate is healthy chocolate article, from What’s Cooking America
All Clad 4 quart stainless steel saucepan
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This post contains links to Affiliate Programs, where I may receive a small commission for any purchases.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
great info and recipe. thanks!
These look lovely! I’m going to try them for Valentine’s Day. I’m seeing sooo many baked good ideas and I wanted to steer clear of them. This is a wonderful idea!!! Thanks so much for sharing.
Great post Sally! I am a complete sucker for a chocolate dipped strawberry. I love how you dolled them up. Perfect for Valentines Day.
Sally, those are so pretty. I could actually taste them in my mouth as I read your post. Whom ever receives those are lucky, lucky, lucky!!
Hello Sally,
I love your web page. I tried to print a recipe and it would not print. Could you please tell me why?
Thanks so much!
Karen
Hi Karen. Not sure why you had a printing problem. I’ll send you the recipe in email!
Hi
Can someone please tell me where to purchase the dark chocolate mentioned in the recipe? Thanks
Elaine, you can buy these good brands of chocolate at many stores. I’ve purchased at Whole Foods, Bristol Farms, Cost Plus, and in many other places. A great online chocolate source is http://www.chocosphere.com. Another I like is Theo chocolate, but it comes only in small bars and we use it more for just eating than dipping berries. Check the links within the post. I have them pointed top Amazon which will show you what I use.