Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

Chocolate-covered strawberries deserve an award for being the easiest, most versatile dessert ever. Think about it: What other two-ingredient, 10-minute dessert is equally perfect for kids, parties, and a romantic date night? When the craving for a chocolate dessert or strawberry treat strikes, turn to this effortless recipe. Searching for a last-minute Valentine's Day gift? A plate of these quick-fix berries beats a store-bought box of chocolates every time.

How do you get chocolate to stick to strawberries?

Make sure your strawberries are nice and dry before you start dipping; chocolate sticks best to dry berries! After rinsing the strawberries and draining them in a colander, pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels.

Should you make chocolate-covered strawberries the night before?

Chocolate-covered strawberries are best eaten the day they're made. They can sit out at room temperature for up to 24 hours, but if you plan to enjoy them past that, they'll need to go in the fridge. The problem with refrigerating chocolate-covered strawberries is that they tend to sweat. So, if you can swing it, wait until day-of to make these berries.

Can you use a microwave to melt chocolate?

The microwave is great for melting chocolate. While you can use the classic double-boiler method, the microwave is a safe alternative—the secret is to take it slow. Microwave the chocolate in short, 30-second bursts, stirring between each interval. For extra insurance, hold back about 1/4 of the chocolate and stir it into the melted chocolate after the final 30 seconds until smooth. The melted chocolate will be warm enough to melt the remaining chips, and the chips will help lower the temperature of the melted chocolate, keeping it shiny.

What chocolate is best for chocolate-covered strawberries?

Almost any chocolate will work fine for making chocolate-covered strawberries; generally, the better quality chocolate you use, the more beautiful and tasty your berries will be! Chocolate chips work perfectly fine; chopped chocolate bars or melting wafers work even better. And it doesn't matter which type of chocolate you prefer—dark, milk, or white—they all make delicious chocolate-covered strawberries!

What's the secret to pretty chocolate-covered strawberries?

A small bowl allows for a deeper pool of chocolate, which makes it easier to coat the berries with chocolate. Decorate them soon after dipping while the chocolate is still sticky. Sprinkle them with a variety of toppings such as toasted coconut, sprinkles, chopped nuts, or even crushed freeze-dried berries to add a colorful crunch.