Get ready to create a truly magical holiday treat with this simple Christmas chocolate covered strawberries recipe. These festive, no-bake delights are perfect for adding a touch of elegance and sweetness to any holiday gathering. With easy-to-follow steps and fun decorating ideas, everyone from kids to adults can enjoy making these delicious berries. You’ll learn how to master perfectly dipped strawberries and transform them into edible holiday art.
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Chocolate Covered Strawberries Recipe
This delightful Christmas chocolate covered strawberries recipe is a holiday season must-try! It offers a perfect blend of simplicity and festive charm.
- Quick and Effortless: Prepare these beautiful treats in under an hour, making them ideal for busy holiday schedules.
- Customizable Fun: Easily switch up chocolates, sprinkles, and designs to match any holiday theme or personal preference.
- Perfect No-Bake Dessert: Avoid oven space issues during holiday baking by choosing this delightful, chilled option.
- Visually Appealing: Their vibrant colors and elegant presentation make them a stunning addition to any dessert table.
- Deliciously Sweet: Enjoy the classic combination of fresh, juicy strawberries and rich, creamy chocolate in every bite.
Ingredients
Gather these simple ingredients to create your beautiful Christmas chocolate covered strawberries recipe:
- 1 lb fresh strawberries, stems attached
- 8 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 8 oz white chocolate chips
- 2 tsp vegetable oil or shortening (divided)
- 2 tbsp holiday sprinkles
- 4 oz green candy melts or green frosting
- 4 oz red candy melts or red frosting
Notes & Substitutions
Strawberries: Always choose ripe, firm berries with their stems intact. This makes dipping much easier and adds to their aesthetic appeal. Wash and dry them thoroughly before starting.
Chocolate: For the smoothest melt and best flavor, opt for high-quality melting chocolate or baking bars rather than standard chocolate chips, if possible.
Oil/Shortening: This ingredient is crucial for achieving a smooth, thin, and easily dippable chocolate consistency. Do not skip it. Coconut oil also works well.
Decorations: Feel free to get creative with alternatives like finely chopped nuts, shredded coconut, mini chocolate chips, or edible glitter for extra sparkle.
Candy Melts: If you prefer, substitute colored candy melts with royal icing, decorator’s icing in a tube, or even white chocolate tinted with oil-based food coloring for your festive designs.
Equipment
Having the right tools makes preparing this Christmas chocolate covered strawberries recipe a breeze. You’ll need:
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper or wax paper
- Heat-proof bowls
- Microwave or double boiler
- Wood skewers (optional for dipping)
- Piping bags or ziploc bags
- Fork (for drizzling)
Instructions
Follow these easy steps to make a spectacular Christmas chocolate covered strawberries recipe:
- Prepare your workspace: Line a large baking sheet with wax paper or parchment paper. This will prevent your chocolate-covered treats from sticking. Next, wash your strawberries thoroughly under cool running water. Lay them out on a plate lined with paper towels and dry them completely. This is a crucial step for chocolate adhesion!
- Melt dark chocolate: Place the semi-sweet chocolate chips into a heat-proof bowl. Add 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil or shortening to the chips. Microwave the bowl in 30-second increments, stirring well after each interval, until the chocolate is smooth and fully melted. This usually takes about 60-90 seconds total.
- Melt white chocolate: Repeat the exact melting process with the white chocolate chips in a separate heat-proof bowl, adding the remaining 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil or shortening. Stir until silky smooth.
- Dip strawberries: Hold each strawberry by its stem or gently insert a wood skewer into the top. Dip the strawberry into one of the melted chocolates, rotating it to ensure it’s completely covered. Leave a small portion of the stem visible for a nice contrast.
- Remove excess: Lift the strawberry from the chocolate. Gently tap the stem against the edge of the bowl a few times to allow any excess chocolate to drip off. This prevents puddles at the base.
- Place on sheet: Carefully lay the dipped strawberries onto the prepared parchment-lined baking sheet.
According to the USDA, safe handling practices for fresh strawberries are important to minimize spoilage and maintain food safety.
- Add sprinkles: If you plan to add holiday sprinkles, do so immediately while the chocolate is still wet and pliable. The sprinkles will adhere best at this stage.
- Allow to set: Let the chocolate-dipped strawberries sit at room temperature for a few minutes to firm up slightly. If your kitchen is warm, you can transfer them to the refrigerator briefly.
- Prepare colored melts: Place the red and green candy melts into two separate heat-safe bowls. Melt each color in 30-second increments in the microwave, stirring after each interval, until melted and smooth.
- Decorate: Transfer the melted candy melts into small piping bags or ziploc bags with a tiny corner snipped off. Alternatively, use a fork to drizzle decorative patterns over the partially set strawberries. Create festive designs like zigzags, stripes, or even tiny Christmas lights. You can also add more sprinkles for extra sparkle.
- Final setting: Once decorated, place all the Christmas chocolate covered strawberries back into the refrigerator. Chill them for at least 15-20 minutes, or until the chocolate and candy melts are completely set and firm. Serve immediately or store them for later.
Pro Tips for Perfect Christmas Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Achieving picture-perfect chocolate covered strawberries for Christmas is easy with a few simple tricks.
- Ensure Strawberries are Completely Dry: Moisture is chocolate’s enemy. Any water on your berries will cause the chocolate to seize or create a bumpy, unappealing coating. Pat them thoroughly.
- Use Good Quality Chocolate: Better chocolate melts more smoothly and provides a superior flavor and texture. Look for baking chocolate or candy melts designed for dipping.
- Melt Chocolate Carefully: Overheating chocolate can make it thick and lumpy (seize). Microwave in short bursts, stirring often, or use a gentle double boiler method.
- Time Your Decorations: Apply sprinkles when the chocolate is still wet. For drizzled designs with colored candy melts, wait until the base chocolate layer is mostly set but not hard.
- Work in a Cool Environment: A cooler room helps the chocolate set faster and prevents it from melting too quickly as you work, resulting in a cleaner finish for your holiday treats.
- Handle Delicately: Once set, handle the Christmas chocolate covered strawberries by their stems or base to avoid leaving fingerprints or smudges on the beautiful coating.
Serving, Storage, and Variations
These delightful Christmas chocolate covered strawberries are wonderful for entertaining or enjoying as a festive snack.
- Serving: Arrange your elegant treats on a beautiful holiday platter or individual dessert plates. They make a stunning centerpiece or a delightful addition to a dessert buffet. Consider serving them alongside other light holiday sweets.
- Storage: Store any leftover dipped strawberries in a single layer in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They are best enjoyed within 24 hours for optimal freshness and appearance.
- Make-Ahead: While they can be made a few hours in advance, these chocolate-covered berries truly shine when prepared the day of serving. This ensures the strawberries remain firm and juicy.
Creative Variations
- Chocolate Types: Explore different flavors! Try milk chocolate, dark chocolate with a higher cocoa percentage, or even flavored candy melts like peppermint or caramel for unique twists on your Christmas chocolate covered strawberries.
- Toppings Galore: Beyond sprinkles, experiment with crushed peppermints, finely chopped pistachios or pecans, toasted coconut flakes, mini chocolate chips, or even a dusting of edible gold luster dust for extra holiday glam.
- Coloring: If you’re using white chocolate, you can tint it with oil-based food coloring (water-based colors will cause it to seize) to create custom colors for your drizzling designs.
- Kid-Friendly Fun: Involve the little ones! Kids often love helping with the sprinkle application, making it a fun family activity and a memorable part of their holiday experience.
Nutrition Information
(Per serving, approximate)
Nutritional values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredient brands and preparation methods used for your Christmas chocolate covered strawberries recipe.
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 210 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 28 g |
| Protein | 3 g |
| Fat | 11 g |
| Saturated Fat | 7 g |
| Sugar | 25 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg |
| Sodium | 15 mg |
| Vitamin C | 90% DV |
Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Chocolate Covered Strawberries
- Why is my chocolate seizing? Chocolate seizes when even a tiny amount of water or steam gets into it, or if it’s overheated. Ensure your bowls and utensils are perfectly dry, and melt chocolate gently.
- Can I use frozen strawberries for this recipe? No, frozen strawberries contain too much moisture. They will become soggy and release water as they thaw, causing the chocolate to slide off.
- How far in advance can I make these? For the freshest results, make your Christmas chocolate covered strawberries the same day you plan to serve them. They are best within 24 hours.
- What’s the best way to get smooth chocolate? Use a good quality melting chocolate, add a bit of vegetable oil or shortening, and melt slowly in short bursts, stirring frequently.
- How do I store them for a party? Store them in a single layer in an airtight container in the refrigerator to prevent condensation and keep them fresh.
Conclusion
This Christmas chocolate covered strawberries recipe proves that creating festive and impressive holiday treats doesn’t have to be complicated. With minimal effort, you can produce a dazzling dessert that tastes as wonderful as it looks. Embrace the joy of simple holiday baking and create these memorable delights for your loved ones. Happy holidays and happy dipping!
