Valentine’s Day Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
Chocolate-covered strawberries are the epitome of indulgence, merging fresh strawberries’ natural sweetness and juiciness with chocolate’s rich, creamy decadence. This delightful treat is a favorite for many and is often associated with romance and celebrations. Whether you’re planning a unique Valentine’s Day surprise, looking to add a touch of elegance to a dinner party, or simply craving a luxurious snack, chocolate-covered strawberries never disappoint.
The allure of chocolate-covered strawberries lies in their simplicity and sophistication. They are straightforward in making yet exude a sense of gourmet flair that impresses guests and delights the palate. The process involves selecting plump, ripe strawberries, carefully dipping them into smooth, melted chocolate, and setting them to perfection. For an added touch of creativity, you can embellish them with toppings such as crushed nuts, drizzled white chocolate, or colorful sprinkles.
This post will explore the step-by-step process of creating these delectable treats at home. From choosing the right type of chocolate to tips for achieving a flawless finish, you’ll find everything you need to know to master the art of making chocolate-covered strawberries. Get ready to indulge in a treat that’s as beautiful as delicious!
When Did They Become Popular?
Chocolate-covered strawberries became popular as a Valentine’s Day treat in the late 1960s, thanks to a convergence of marketing, culinary innovation, and cultural trends. Lorraine Lorusso, a chocolatier at the now-famous Stop N Shop grocery chain in Chicago, is credited with popularizing this romantic confection.
Lorusso introduced chocolate-covered strawberries as a specialty item, combining chocolate’s elegance and luxurious appeal with strawberries’ freshness and natural sweetness. The timing was perfect: the 1960s saw a rise in consumer interest in gourmet foods and a burgeoning appreciation for fine chocolates. Additionally, the idea of pairing chocolate—a long-standing symbol of romance and indulgence—with strawberries, often associated with purity and fertility, resonated with the romantic themes of Valentine’s Day.
The treat quickly caught on, aided by the growing popularity of Valentine’s Day as a holiday dedicated to expressing love and affection through gifts and unique gestures. Chocolate-covered strawberries became synonymous with romantic celebrations, embodying visual and sensory delight. Their aesthetic appeal—red strawberries dipped in rich, glossy chocolate—and their delectable taste made them a perfect choice for Valentine’s Day. Over time, they have become a holiday staple, celebrated for their elegance, simplicity, and deliciousness.
What Chocolate to Use for Chocolate Covered Strawberries?
The best chocolate for making chocolate-covered strawberries is one that provides a smooth, glossy finish and complements the natural sweetness of the strawberries. Here are some key considerations:
Type of Chocolate
- Semisweet Chocolate: A popular choice for its balanced flavor, not too sweet or bitter. It pairs well with the tartness of strawberries.
- Dark Chocolate: Offers a rich, intense flavor and is slightly more bitter. It contrasts beautifully with the sweetness of strawberries and is often preferred by those who enjoy less sweetness.
- Milk Chocolate: Sweeter and creamier, it’s a favorite for those who prefer a milder, more sugary taste.
Quality of Chocolate
- Couverture Chocolate: This is high-quality chocolate with a higher percentage of cocoa butter, making it ideal for melting and achieving a smooth, glossy coating. Brands like Valrhona, Callebaut, and Ghirardelli offer excellent couverture chocolate.
- Chocolate Chips or Bars: While convenient, chocolate chips often contain stabilizers that prevent them from melting smoothly. If couverture chocolate is not available, opt for high-quality chocolate bars.
Melting the Chocolate
- Tempering: Tempering the chocolate is essential to achieving a professional-looking finish. This process involves melting the chocolate to a specific temperature, cooling it slightly, and then reheating it to a working temperature. Proper tempering ensures the chocolate hardens with a shiny finish and a satisfying snap.
- Microwave Method: A more straightforward method involves melting chocolate in short bursts in the microwave, stirring frequently. This method can work well if you’re careful not to overheat the chocolate.
Flavor Enhancements
- Additives: A touch of vanilla extract or a pinch of sea salt can enhance the chocolate’s flavor.
- Toppings: Roll the strawberries in crushed nuts and coconut flakes after dipping or drizzle with white chocolate for added texture and flavor.
Using high-quality chocolate and proper melting techniques will ensure your chocolate-covered strawberries are delicious and visually stunning, perfect for any special occasion.
Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
Ingredients
For the Chocolate Fondue
- 2 oz butter
- 4 oz sugar
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup corn syrup
- ¼ cup whole milk
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 tablespoon rum
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- 4 oz. chocolate chips best quality semisweet or bittersweet
For Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
- 12 oz semisweet chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- fresh strawberries
Instructions
For the Chocolate Fondue
- Whisk together cocoa powder, water and rum into a paste. Place in a bowl with the chopped chocolate and the vanilla.
- In a heavy bottomed saucepan, combine the butter, sugar, cream, corn syrup milk and salt. Bring to a boil and keep at a slow boil until the mixture is a light caramel color, about 15 minutes.
- Strain the cream mixture into the chocolate mixture and whisk well until smooth. Pour into fondue pot to keep warm. Serve with cubed pound cake, marshmallows, fruit, or frozen cubes of cheesecake.
- Variations: Add ½ teaspoon (or to taste) of orange extract or peppermint extract. Boil a cinnamon stick in with the dairy mixture.
For the Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
- Cover a baking sheet with a sheet of parchment paper or wax paper.
- In a large metal bowl set over a pan of simmering, not boiling, water, melt the chocolate chips. Stir frequently, and make sure that the water in the pan does not touch the bottom of the bowl.
- Thoroughly stir in the vegetable oil. Stir well, but try not to make any bubbles in the chocolate. You want it to be as smooth as possible so your dipped strawberries look perfect.
- Cool the chocolate to room temperature, stirring frequently. Right before you are ready to dip the strawberries, rinse them off in cold water and dry them gently but thoroughly. Make sure the berries are dry before dipping.
- Holding a strawberry by its green top and dip the strawberry in the chocolate so only a little of the red is showing. Swirl the strawberry in the chocolate to make sure it is well coated. You might have to use a spoon to drizzle the chocolate over the berries when you start to run low on chocolate.
- Lift the berry up and let some of the excess chocolate drip back into the bowl. Set the dipped strawberry on its side on the paper-lined cookie sheet. Continue dipping until you either run out of strawberries or chocolate. This recipe will probably make about 30 dipped strawberries, depending on the size, so you will have plenty.
- Once all the berries are dipped, put the tray in the refrigerator until you are ready for dessert.
2 Responses
I’ve never tried a chocolate fondue or a chocolate fountain. The reason that I stumbled on your blog is that I was trying to find a way to recreate the chocolate coated alcohol soaked fruits from that selection that I absolutely adore. I can see that I could use a fondue approach to Kirsch soaked cherries, but rum soaked sultanas? I would lose those on the fork surely? Any ideas or prior attempts on that .. and whether the alcohol would create a problem in dipping in chocolate? Would I need to pat the soaked fruit dry or dust in cocoa maybe (seems like a waste of alcohol if I need to pat dry ..lol)
Great questions. Not sure of the answers but will investigate. – RG
yeah i made a strawberry infused vodka this year and was wondering the same thing as david….how to successfully coat the vodka soaked berries with chocolate for a nice holiday treat for the adults…and a pleasant reminder of the early summer harvest…