Chocolate-covered strawberries are a staple when it comes to romance. But who said strawberries should get all the love? With a little imagination and inspiration from this classic treat, we offer some twists to the chocolate-covered game.
Supplies
- Parchment paper
- Heatproof glass bowls
- Saucepan
- Spatula
- Baking sheet
- Kitchen fork
- Wooden skewers
CLASSIC CHOCOLATE-COVERED STRAWBERRIES
Ingredients
2 pounds long-stemmed strawberries
2 12-ounce bags semisweet chocolate baking chips
Directions
Wash and dry strawberries. If you can’t find long-stemmed strawberries, you can use a wooden skewer for coating purposes. To add some flare, cut the tops inward to make the strawberries resemble hearts.
Fill a large saucepan a quarter full with water and put over medium heat until it comes to a steady boil. Once the water is at a low boil, put a heatproof glass bowl or double boiler on top and reduce the heat to low. Put the chocolate chips in the bowl, reserve about a handful, and begin stirring constantly until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
Temper the chocolate by putting in the reserved chips and continuing to stir until fully melted. Carefully remove the chocolate from the stove and begin dipping.
Instead of dunking the strawberry as you would a cookie in milk, hold the strawberry by the greenery or stick it on a wooden skewer and lay one side in the chocolate, and slowly roll the strawberry in a circle.
Let the excess chocolate drip off and place the strawberry on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet to set. While the chocolate is still wet you can add any topping your heart desires like nuts, cookie crumbles, or even dried coconut. Don’t be afraid to get creative!
PEPPERMINT BARK STRAWBERRIES
Ingredients
1 12-ounce bag white chocolate baking chips
2 12-ounce bags dark chocolate baking chips
6 to 10 candy canes
Directions
Take the classic chocolate-covered strawberry recipe to the left and jazz it up. Place candy canes in a plastic bag and smash them with a rolling pin or blitz them in a food processor. Melt a separate bowl of white chocolate baking chips using the same method described in the classic recipe.
Dip the strawberries in the melted dark chocolate and place them on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and sprinkle the candy cane bits on the still-wet chocolate. Dip a spoon in the melted white chocolate and drizzle it all over the strawberries and let set. Voila!
DARK CHOCOLATE-COVERED BLACK CHERRIES AND RASPBERRIES
Instead of strawberries, this recipe calls for black cherries and raspberries for a decadent twist on this classic treat of love.
Ingredients
2 12-ounce bags dark chocolate baking chips
1 medium container fresh raspberries
1 bag fresh black cherries (pitted, or you can hand-pit them)
Directions
Melt the chocolate the same way. Wash and fully dry the cherries and raspberries. Dip two or three pieces of fruit at a time. Gently move them around in the chocolate with a fork. Take them out and place on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Let the chocolate set and enjoy!
ORANGE & WHITE CHOCOLATE-COVERED OREOS
Orange and chocolate create a unique flavor combination that gives a twist to the classic chocolate-covered Oreo.
Ingredients
1 12-ounce bag white chocolate baking chips
8 drops orange extract
10 drops orange food coloring
1 package Oreo cookies
Directions
Melt the white chocolate and add the orange extract before tempering the chocolate. Once the chocolate is smooth, add the food coloring until it is the desired shade of orange. Take the chocolate off the stove. With the Oreos, carefully slide a fork into the frosting without making the cookie come apart.
Dip half of the cookie in the chocolate two or three times and place it on the parchment paper by laying the cookie down and lightly holding it in place while sliding the fork out. Repeat this process and let set until the chocolate has hardened. Enjoy with a tall glass of milk!
Shop Local for More Chocolate-Covered Goodness
Want to spoil your loved ones with chocolate-covered sweets but want to save time in the kitchen by supporting local chocolate shops instead? Here are some New Mexico spots that are sure to enchant your taste buds.
Albuquerque
Gift a loved one a box of artisanal Elixir Boutique Chocolates. These are some of the most unique chocolates, in flavor and design. Get boozy with flavors like white
chocolate Irish cream liquor and dark chocolate limoncello. Spice up the night with the hot white chocolate pineapple chipotle or hot milk chocolate Thai coconut
ginger. The unique deliciousness doesn’t stop there. Find chocolate-smothered Oreos, handcrafted caramels in your choice of chocolate topped with a variety of authentic sea salts, a wide variety of brittles, and much more. Order these goodies in their online shop and get them delivered straight to your door.
4530 Alexander Blvd. NE, Suite B
505-933-5I25
elixirchocolates.com
Mesilla
The Chocolate Lady is Mesilla’s hub for all things chocolate. You name it, this shop has it — covered in chocolate. Chocolate-covered gummy bears, maraschino
cherries, nuts, pretzels, caramels, truffles, turtles, and toffee sit beautifully in their glass case waiting to make someone’s day sweeter. During this time of year, you can enjoy the popular chocolate-covered strawberries. You can place your prepaid Valentine’s Day order starting mid-January. Be sure to get it in ASAP, as quantities are limited. Choose your sweet’s favorite sweets in white, milk, or dark chocolate.
2379 Calle de Guadalupe on the Mesilla Plaza
575-526-2744
mesillachocolatelady.com
Santa Fe
The Chocolatesmith has New Mexico inspired goodies on deck. Try the chocolate-covered pistachios, pecans, and almonds; some of them even come flavored with chile. A variety of tasty barks are also on the menu. Intriguing flavors include tangerine cream and red chile pistachio. For Valentine’s Day, opt for chocolate-covered strawberries in all three chocolate flavors, truffles, lollipops, red hearts filled with chocolate ganache, or a variety plate in a heart-shaped box. Be sure to inquire about their rose-flavored items, too!
851A Cerrillos Road
505-473-2111
chocolatesmith.com
Discover more chocolatey desserts that require no baking for Valentine’s Day here!
Story and photography by Olivia Belcher
Originally published in Neighbors magazine | 2023
Posted by LasCruces.com
