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I didn’t discover chocolate covered strawberries with almond bark until my late thirties. Growing up, I thought fancy chocolate-dipped strawberries only came from expensive candy shops. When my sister made them at home using almond bark, I couldn’t believe how wrong I’d been.
Turns out, making these sweet treats is actually super simple – way easier than dealing with temperamental regular chocolate. While my first attempts with regular chocolate left me with streaky, dull-looking berries, almond bark practically does the work for you. For anyone who’s ever felt intimidated by making these at home, this no-fuss method is right up your alley.
Why You’ll Love These Chocolate Covered Strawberries
- Quick and easy – With just 3 ingredients and about 20 minutes, you can create these beautiful treats – no special skills or equipment needed!
- Perfect for special occasions – These make a wonderful homemade gift for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or any celebration, and they cost much less than store-bought versions.
- Foolproof method – Using almond bark alongside chocolate chips creates a coating that’s easy to work with and sets perfectly without any tempering required.
- Healthier dessert option – You get the sweetness of chocolate combined with fresh fruit, making these treats a bit more nutritious than pure candy.
What Kind of Strawberries Should I Use?
For chocolate-covered strawberries, you’ll want to look for medium to large berries that are firm, bright red, and fully ripe but not overripe. The stems should be fresh and green since they’ll serve as your “handle” while dipping. Fresh strawberries from your local grocery store or farmers market work great, but avoid using frozen berries as they’ll release too much moisture when thawed. Before dipping, make absolutely sure your strawberries are completely dry – even a few drops of water can cause the chocolate to seize up. A good trick is to lay them out on paper towels for an hour or so after washing to ensure they’re perfectly dry.
Options for Substitutions
Let’s talk about what you can swap in this recipe if needed:
- Almond bark: If you can’t find almond bark, candy melts or compound chocolate work great as alternatives. Regular chocolate chips can work too, but you’ll need to temper them properly or add 1 tablespoon of coconut oil per cup of chocolate to help with setting.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Feel free to use milk chocolate or dark chocolate chips based on your taste preference. Just make sure to use good quality chocolate – it really makes a difference in the final taste and texture.
- Strawberries: While strawberries are the classic choice and I wouldn’t really substitute them in a recipe specifically for chocolate-covered strawberries, you can use this same coating method for other fruits like banana chunks, orange segments, or even apple slices. Just make sure whatever fruit you use is completely dry before dipping.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making
The biggest enemy of perfectly dipped strawberries is moisture – even a few drops of water can cause your chocolate to seize and become grainy, so make sure your strawberries are completely dry before dipping, even if it means waiting a few hours after washing them.
Getting the right chocolate temperature is crucial – if you overheat the almond bark and chocolate mixture in the microwave, it will become thick and clumpy, so heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each one until just melted.
A common mistake is rushing to refrigerate the dipped strawberries – instead, let them set at room temperature on parchment paper, as the sudden temperature change in the fridge can cause the chocolate to develop a grayish film called bloom.
For the smoothest coating, hold each strawberry by the leaves and tap your wrist (not the strawberry) gently against the bowl’s edge after dipping to remove excess chocolate and prevent pooling at the base.
What to Serve With Chocolate Covered Strawberries?
Chocolate covered strawberries are perfect on their own, but they also make great friends with other dessert items at your next party or gathering! I love serving them alongside a glass of champagne or prosecco for special occasions, or with a cup of hot coffee for an afternoon treat. You can create a nice dessert board by adding some plain fresh berries, whipped cream for dipping, and maybe some simple shortbread cookies to round things out. If you’re hosting a party, try placing them near other bite-sized desserts like brownie bites or mini cheesecakes for a sweet treat station that everyone will love.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: Your chocolate covered strawberries will stay best when stored in the refrigerator in a single layer, in an airtight container lined with paper towels. They’ll keep their best quality for 1-2 days. Try to avoid stacking them, as this can cause the chocolate to stick together or the berries to get squished.
Room Temperature: If you’re planning to serve these treats at a party, they can sit out at room temperature for up to 2 hours. Just keep them away from direct sunlight or heat sources to prevent the chocolate from melting or getting too soft.
Make Ahead: These are best made the same day you plan to serve them, ideally just a few hours before. If you need to make them a day ahead, that’s okay too – just know the strawberries might start to release some moisture after the first day, which can affect the chocolate’s texture.
| Preparation Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 5-10 minutes |
| Total Time | 15-25 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 1600-1800
- Protein: 10-15 g
- Fat: 80-100 g
- Carbohydrates: 200-220 g
Ingredients
- 8 ounces chocolate almond bark, chopped
- 8 ounces high-quality semi-sweet chocolate chips (such as guittard)
- 32 ounces of ripe strawberries (medium to large, washed and fully dried)
Step 1: Set Up the Double Boiler
Begin by setting up a double boiler.
If you don’t have one, you can create your own by placing a small saucepan of water over medium heat and bringing it to a simmer.
Place a heatproof bowl over the pan, ensuring that it doesn’t touch the water’s surface.
This indirect heat will gently melt the chocolate without burning it.
Step 2: Melt the Chocolate
Add the chocolate almond bark and chocolate chips to the heatproof bowl.
Allow the chocolate to melt, stirring often with a spoon or spatula to ensure a smooth consistency.
The melting process should take about 5 to 10 minutes.
Once the chocolate is fully melted and smooth, carefully remove the saucepan from the heat to prevent the chocolate from continuing to cook.
Step 3: Dip the Strawberries
Hold each strawberry by its green top and dip it into the melted chocolate, leaving a small portion of the red berry visible at the top.
Allow any excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl.
Place the chocolate-dipped strawberry on a piece of wax or parchment paper to set.
Repeat the dipping process with the remaining strawberries.
Step 4: Set the Chocolate
To speed up the setting and hardening of the chocolate, place the dipped strawberries in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes.
This will help the chocolate to solidify and become firm more quickly.
Step 5: Store the Strawberries
Once the chocolate has set, store the strawberries in an airtight container and place them in the fridge.
They can be kept refrigerated for up to 24 hours.
Enjoy these delightful chocolate-covered strawberries as a fresh and indulgent treat!