Monday, June 30, 2008

CHOCOLATE DIPPED STRAWBERRIES

My nephew, John, came over today and we made chocolate dipped strawberries. John is a head chef and loves to cook. So I thought it might be fun if we played around with some food while he was here.

It seems like everyone is always so impressed with chocolate dipped strawberries. Yes, they are very tasty but, they are so easy to make.

For those of you who have never made them, I thought I would share with you just how easy and fast these are to make

So let's get started.


We went to a local strawberry stand by me. They grow the strawberries right there. You couldn't get them any fresher, even if you grew them yourself.

Be sure to wash and dry your strawberries. You don't want to eat any dirt when you take a bite. Also, they must be completely dry before you dip them in chocolate or the chocolate won't stick.

Be sure you get good tasting chocolate. Melt the chocolate, and make sure all the lumps are out of the chocolate and it's nice and smooth.

Then take your strawberry and dip. It's better to get the bigger strawberries to dip but since it's towards the end of the season we had to settle for what they had.

Lay your dipped strawberry on waxed paper and let them dry. Now you can go ahead and eat these as they are but I like to pretty them up a bit.

So I melt some white chocolate. I use these little buttons of chocolate. You can just put them in a bowl, heat them in the microwave until melted and then dip. Some chocolate you have to temper and that is when it gets a much harder and takes more time.

I start off with heating them in the microwave for one minute then I take it out and stir. I put it back in and heat for 30 seconds, stir and keep doing that until completely melted.

Be careful not to over cook the chocolate as it will burn and seize up. Once it does that you can't do anything to fix it and you have to throw it out then start over.

Once the white chocolate was melted I put it in a pastry bag.

Cut the tip off. Make sure the hole is very small or the chocolate will pour out to fast.


Then starting off the strawberry, drizzle the chocolate. Be sure to end the drizzle off the strawberry too.

OK, silly me! I forgot to take a photo of the dark chocolate being drizzled with the white chocolate.

But I make both kinds and so this is a picture of the strawberry dipped in the white chocolate and drizzled with the dark. But you get the idea, right?

After they dry, put them on a pretty plate and serve. Watch your guest ooh and aah as they enjoy their fresh dipped strawberries.

So there you have it. Pretty fast and easy huh? We did 3 baskets of strawberries in about 1/2 hour from start to finish.

I must tell you, they were so good! They were sweet and juicy with just the perfect amount of chocolate on them. YUM!

Now it's your turn to give them a try. Let me know if you do and how they turned out.

Hugs,

Joanne




18 comments:

Sometimes It's Good said...

Those strawberries look wonderful. I wish I had some right now! The Del Mar Fair is still on...I think until Sunday.

Edie Marie's Attic said...

Mmmmm! That looks so goood! I have to make some now. I can almost taste them!
Thanks for entering my giveaway and for offering to show it on your site! I will enter you twice!! I hope you win! Good luck!!
Big hugs, Sherry

Unknown said...

Those look so good, and your step by step directions are awesome. Thanks for taking the time to do that!

Teacup Mosaics said...

OHHHH so beautiful from the strawberries to the pictures. I now know what i will be bringing to the 4th of July Picnic. I will tell you about all the oooos and awws. Thanks for the great idea.
Kelley

KimmyJ said...

Yummo! These are so often requested by my friends and family and you are right they are so easy and always look gorgeous!

Kim Hardt Originals said...

UHH!! WOW!!! One word! Yum!!!

Just stopping by to wish you a Happy 4th of July week!!

Kim

Renee said...

All I can say is YUM!!!!!

Cindy said...

Those are beautiful! My daughter loves Chocolate Dipped Strawberries. I should make some and surprise her!

Glenda said...

How yummy they look. I would have a sugar high after eating them. You have such a talent you little cake decorator you.

Ciao
Glenda

Connie said...

I was just on my way to WM to get some fruit. Guess what I'm getting besides the watermelon and cantaloupe?? Yessssssss, strawberries. Looks so yummy, my sweet little homemaker!!
Smoochies,
Connie

{oc cottage} said...

The do look so impressive! I was just doing that last week and it was actually fun and they are pretty much goof-proof (although your "drizzles" add that extra touch!)
I can't even stand the smell of them, but they did look great!

M ^..^

Deb said...

YUMmmmmmeeey! My mouth is watering! I think that I shall make these this 4th of July weekend... why yes I will. :-) Thanks for the instructions. I have never made these before.

~Deb

Angie said...

i have to say, joanne...that picture of the strawberries in the steel colander...i just found that really beautiful. ohhhh and the chocolate covered strawberries were pretty yummy to look at, too!

~Angie

Joyce's Journey said...

I can't believe your strawberries! They look absolutely beautiful and sooo professional! May I have one please? Yum!! They are gooooood! Thank you for sharing Joanne!!!

Anita said...

Oh YUM! And they look so pretty!

Kathy said...

Oh These look so good, I will be trying these at the weekend, Thank you, Kathy

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Hi Joanne!

Your choco;ate dipped stawberries look so yummy! I'm dieting so I'll just ahve one of each --thanks!

Hugs, Pat

Teacup Mosaics said...

I did it, I did it! I made them for a 4th picnic and WOWsie they were the hit of the party. Thanks for the great idea and yummy results.
Kelley