Step by step instructions for how to make perfect chocolate covered strawberries. All you need is TWO simple ingredients! I’m partnering with Ghirardelli to bring you today’s recipe. All opinions are my own. Thank you for helping me work with companies I love!
I joke that I express my love through food-but it’s kind of true! So for Valentine’s Day, I enjoy making delicious and beautiful treats to give to those I love! These chocolate-dipped strawberries are at the top of my list as well as my strawberry cupcakes with strawberry white chocolate buttercream!
The BEST Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Skip the expensive pre-made chocolate-covered strawberries and make them yourself! They’re quick, easy and the perfect gift to give for Valentine’s Day or for any special occasion.
They can look elegant, the whole family can be involved and no candy-making skills required – SWEET (literally!)
Pull up your sleeves, wash those strawberries and melt your wafers, because you’re going to be a pro by the end of this post!
How to Prepare the Strawberries
Here are a few tips to help you prep these delicious berries.
- Pick ripe, deep red strawberries. This can be tricky, especially because strawberry season is just starting. Make sure the strawberries you choose are similar in size, firm, blemish-free, and red all the way up to the leaves.
- Rinse your strawberries in cool water, then pat dry. Make sure they are completely dry before dipping them.
- If you’re not using strawberries from a farmer’s market or berry patch, make sure to remove them from the fridge before preparing anything else. Any excess moisture will prevent the chocolate from sticking to the strawberries or could cause water drops to pool in the chocolate.
We promise these tips will help in making your chocolate strawberries.
Best Chocolate for Strawberries?
Quality is key! Don’t grab a bag of cheap chocolate chips or a waxy bar of chocolate. You will taste and see the difference. Grab a bag of Ghirardelli Melting Wafers instead. They’re incredibly easy to work with.
You don’t have to temper them (because who has time for that finicky process?) and they stay silky smooth long enough to dip several batches of strawberries. Once dried, they have a nice snap and a beautiful sheen to them.
I’ve used these wafers in several of my recipes including: Frosted Animal Cookies, Mint Overload Bark, Salted Caramel Peanut Clusters, Peppermint Shortbread Cookies, and Peanut Butter Buckeyes.
You can use either Dark or White Melting Wafers or a combination of the two. The choice is yours!
How to Melt Chocolate Wafers for Dipping
- In the microwave: pour wafers into a microwave-safe bowl and heat on half power for 30 second increments. Stir until smooth.
- On the stovetop: use a double boiler set over medium-low heat and stir until smooth.
Tips for Dipping Strawberries
Follow these tips for no-fail chocolate strawberries.
- Dip in warm, but not hot melted wafers. This will prevent the strawberries from getting scorched (which will cause them to soften after being dipped).
- Once dipped, swirl in a circular motion to remove excess. This will prevent a large base from forming.
- Place dipped strawberries on wax paper, parchment paper, or a silicone baking mat for easy removal.
- Leave the strawberries to set at room temperature, it should only take a few minutes.
- Choose your garnishes wisely. They should be the appropriate size. For example, if you’re using sprinkles or nuts, make sure they are really small in size.
- To pipe decorative stripes or designs, you can use a ziplock bag to do so – no piping bag or tips required!
Easier than you thought, right?!
Storing Tips + Creative Uses
Chocolate covered strawberries should be stored in a cool place. If you are making these in a cool environment, you may be able to store them at room temperature for up to 24 hours.
If you are making them in a warmer environment (anything above 68 degrees), you will need to store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can either store them in a fancy food saver container, or in a container lined with paper towels. Doing so will help prevent condensation from forming on or underneath the strawberries.
How long do chocolate covered strawberries last? Ideally, chocolate covered strawberries should be eaten within 24 hours of dipping. They can last up to 2-3 days, but they may begin to soften inside.
Creative Ways to Use Chocolate Strawberries
Of course, we love these plain – but we also love to use them for other things like:
- Place on top of cheesecake
- Place on top of cupcakes
- Place on top of slices of cake
- Use in “flower” bouquets
- Place in a heart-shaped box
I hope the tutorial will help you make incredible treats to express your love to those you care about too!!
For more treats, check out:
- Brazilian Chocolate Truffles
- Homemade Peppermint Bark
- Peanut Butter Buckeyes
- 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Yogurt Dip
- Homemade Caramel Corn
How To Make Chocolate Covered Strawberries Recipe
Ingredients
- Red - Ripe Strawberries
- Ghirardelli White Or Dark Melting Wafers
Garnishes:
- Sprinkles
- Chopped Nuts
- Crushed freeze-dried fruit
- Dried coconut
- Mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with wax paper, parchment paper, or a silicone baking mat.
- Wash strawberries and pat completely dry.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt desired melting wafers on half power for 30 second increments, stir until smooth.
- Grab the strawberry by the stem and dip into the chocolate. Lift directly above the bowl and gently swirl the strawberry in circular motions to remove excess chocolate.
- Place on prepared baking sheet. Garnish if desired, then let set until firm, about 5-10 minutes.
- If using a contrasting chocolate, drizzle, then garnish if desired. Let set until firm, about 5 -10 minutes.
- Serve immediately, package for gifting, use as a garnish, or store until needed. To store: refrigerate in an airtight container lined with paper towels for 2-3 days.
Chocolate covered strawberries are THE BEST! Such great tips. I am going to be making some this next month.
I absolutely love making chocolate covered strawberries! You have great tips to making them so pretty!
How do you make them , where they are not flat where you set them on the wax paper?
If you find a way, I’d love to know! There is always that little spot in the back.
I use a stick for pop cakes or a tooth pick grab a box lay paper towel or not stab the toothpick/pop cake stick thru the green leaves, dip it and pop it in the box
I use a Styrofoam block and bamboo skewers. The chocolate has to be the right temp. If it’s too warm it won’t set fast enough.. Swirl on the skewer until excess is off and stick it in the Styrofoam.
A Valentine’s must!! These are so pretty & fun to make!
Brilliant ideas , it’s 5.25 in the morning , and I’m making a birthday cake for my neighbour , just having a coffee , then I’m going to use your wonderful ideas to do chocolate strawberries on her cake . It’s such fun to do and they look soooo professional . Thank you .
I’m sure it will look beautiful!
Greatest simple recipe for chocolate covered strawberries! Saved me a bundle. Worked perfectly the first time, and my guests loved them.
Microwave method (microwaving the dark chocolate tabs) is MUCH easier and involves less cleanup.
(I had overcooked the chocolate tabs at first using the double boiler method: the consistency changed, the components separated out, and the result hardened even when I applied more heat.)
Making these at home saves so much money. I’m glad you loved them!