Valentine’s Day is the perfect time for something deep rich chocolate. Everyone loves a delicious chocolate treat that’s easy to make and looks so impressive. Chocolate covered strawberries fit the bill.
Here’s a favorite recipe from Jim’s staff. You can pick up all the ingredients today and make them in plenty of time to indulge your special someone.
Easy Chocolate Covered Strawberries
What you Need:
Strawberries,
Chocolate chips
White chocolate or vanilla chips,
Vegetable or grapeseed oil
Oil-based food coloring (not the common water-based kind).
You can dip your strawberries in melted chocolate and be done. Delicious… but oh there’s so much more you can do!
Add some personality! Pick some flavors you and your valentine love for toppings..
crushed Oreos and candy canes
chopped toasted pecans, chopped toasted almonds,
cinnamon and sugar, coarse red sugar,
red/pink/white sprinkles, mini chocolate chips.
Melted caramel
(melted in the microwave and drizzled on),
Wash the strawberries.
Rinse red berry in a bowl of water. Hold by the stem or leaf
Do not immerse the leaves
Put berry on a paper towel to dry completely.
Gently blot if you are in a rush.
Melt the chocolate
Easiest way – melted the chips in the microwave.
Heat and stir the chips in 20-30 second intervals until the last chunks melt and stir in. Don’t overcook
Add a small amount of oil to give the chocolate a smooth glazy look
Dip each berry in melted chocolate.
Swirl the berry around in the chocolate.
Cover almost to the top with just a bit of berry showing.
Let chocolate drip off and scrape off any extra on the edge of bowl.
Place the dipped strawberry on a tray lined with parchment or waxed paper.
Option 1 – Add toppings
While the chocolate is still wet, roll the berry in toppings or sprinkle them on.
Option 2 – Add drizzles
After the chocolate has set (this only takes minutes), add chocolate drizzle in a contrasting color.
Pour chocolate or melted caramel into a plastic bag. Twist the bag at the top and push the chocolate toward one lower corner of the bag. Snip the corner with scissors, and apply melted chocolate by squeezing it through the hole.
Use a spoon. You can’t be as precise with a spoon, but you can achieve a lacy, pretty effect by holding the spoon of melted chocolate higher over the berry and drizzling a thin stream of chocolate in a scattered, zig-zag fashion.
