Chocolate Strawberries

Materials:

3 small, deep glass bowls (one for each chocolate flavor)
3 rubber spatulas (one for each chocolate flavor)
2 cookie sheets lined with wax paper
microwave or double broiler
small bowls filled with topping(s) of choice

Ingredients:

strawberries to taste, patted dry with damp cloth or paper towel
dark chocolate to taste, melted
white chocolate to taste, melted
milk chocolate to taste, melted
wax paper
chocolate chips to top
almond slivers to top
coconut to top

The six variations of Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries are the following:

1. 1/2 dark chocolate and 1/2 white chocolate (figure A)

2. white chocolate with coconut topping

3. white chocolate with dark-chocolate swizzle decoration

4. milk chocolate with almonds

5. milk chocolate with white-chocolate swizzle decoration

6. dark chocolate with dark-chocolate chips

Melting Tips

• Melt the chocolate in the top of a double broiler over hot--not boiling--water.

• Another option is to place the chocolate in a glass bowl and microwave on medium, stirring often, until the chocolate is melted.

1. Hold the strawberry by its hull, and dip it into the chocolate (about 3/4 of each berry should be covered with chocolate), which leaves 1/4 of the red berry showing for color (figure B).

2. Let excess chocolate drip off, then place the wet berry over the topping bowl, sprinkling topping of choice over the berry. Set berries aside on a baking sheet lined with wax paper to dry (figure C). It is best to let the dipped berries dry at a cool room temperature.

3. Eat the berries within 24 hours for best freshness. Keep at cool room temperature.

   * Note: Because the strawberry is 75 percent water, placing it into the refrigerator will cause humidity to accumulate on the chocolate, and the berries will get wet.

4. Other fruit ideas for chocolate dipping are grapes, fresh cherries, raspberries, blueberries, bananas, marshmallows, chocolate-chip cookies, licorice, Oreos, etc.

Yield: Eight ounces of chocolate will cover 24 to 30 berries.

Dipping Suggestions

• Other ideas for dips are coconut, chocolate chips, sliced natural almonds, mini M&Ms, chopped peanuts, peanut butter or butterscotch chips.

• Dipping chocolate can be found at cake and candy supply stores, or you can easily use bagged chocolate chips that can be found in a grocery store.

• Most stores carry a variety of flavors that include dark chocolate, milk chocolate and white chocolate.

Tips for Choosing Strawberries

• Choose firm red berries.

• Lightly wipe each berry with a damp cloth or paper towel. Berries must be COMPLETELY dry before dipping.

• Do not hull strawberries.

Gift Idea

Chocolate-dipped strawberries make for a unique gift. Place dipped berries in a basket or on a decorated tray. Wrap the arrangement with cellophane, ribbons and bows.