Chocolate Covered Strawberries

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When it comes to New Year’s Eve I like to make my cocktails and appetizers a little special. On this day we’re ringing in the New Year so I figure we should do this in style!

So, on New Year’s Eve I like to serve elegant appetizers and decadent desserts. I think one of the most perfect pairings with champagne is chocolate covered strawberries! Covering berries in chocolate is so easy but oh so yummy!

This year, let’s welcome the New Year with style and taste, starting with a classic yet indulgent treat – chocolate-covered strawberries.

The Perfect Pairing: Champagne and Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

On the eve of a new beginning, there’s something inherently special about the combination of champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries.

The sweet and juicy berries, adorned in a decadent chocolate coat, make for a delightful treat that complements the effervescence of bubbly champagne.

Selecting the Right Berries

First you want to try to find berries that are similar in size and a nice red color.

Wash your berries thoroughly and dry them completely. There can not be any moisture on the berries because the chocolate will not set properly.

Leave the green leaves intact as it looks cute but also is a way to hold the berry when eating them.

Crafting Chocolate Elegance

Choosing Quality Chocolate

You want to use a good quality chocolate so it melts nicely. I usually use Ghiradelli Semi-Sweet Chocolate morsels. You can use milk chocolate or even dark chocolate its up to you.

I feel like the semi-sweet is in the middle and tastes really good with the strawberries.

Mastering the Chocolate Melt

Melting the chocolate can be a bit tricky. You can not over heat chocolate because it will get hard and there’s no fixing that!

So, because I’ve ruined chocolate numerous times in my microwave I feel that easiest and most reliable way to melt is in a double boiler.

It you don’t have one you can just put a pyrex bowl over the boiling water and melt it slowly.

First you put about an inch or so of water in your pan and bring to a boil. Turn the heat down to a heavy simmer. Find a bowl that is heat safe and will not touch the water. If it touches it’s going to get too hot.

Pour your chocolate in the bowl with a teaspoon of shortening and place over the lightly boiling water while mixing constantly until melted.

The shortening helps the chocolate get to a nice consistency and also gives it that sheen.

Dipping and Setting

Set up a piece of parchment and make sure your berries are dry.

Once the chocolate is melted just dip the berries almost to the stem and place on the parchment to set.

That’s all you have to do to make these beautiful and scrumptious dessert berries for your New Year’s celebration.

Serving and Enjoying

For optimal freshness and flavor, prepare these chocolate-covered strawberries on the day of your celebration.

The process takes mere minutes, ensuring a hassle-free experience. Once dry, arrange them artfully on a pretty platter, ready to be savored alongside a glass of bubbly.

Recipe: Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Ingredients:

• 1 lb Strawberries, washed and dried with leaves left intact
• 1 bag Good Quality Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
• 1 tsp Shortening

Instructions:

1. Wash and completely dry all your strawberries.
2. Fill a saucepan with an inch or so of water and bring it to a boil.
3. Place a heat-safe bowl over the boiling water, ensuring it doesn’t touch the water.
4. Turn the heat down to a heavy simmer.
5. Add chocolate and shortening, stirring constantly until melted – be cautious not to overheat.
6. Once the chocolate is almost completely melted, remove from heat and stir until remaining morsels are melted.
7. Holding berries by the leaves, dip and twist each berry in the melted chocolate, setting them on parchment to dry.

A Toast to the New Year!

As the clock strikes midnight and the New Year unfolds, raise a toast to new beginnings with these exquisite chocolate-covered strawberries. May your celebration be filled with joy, elegance, and the sweet taste of success in the year ahead. Wishing you a Very Happy New Year!