Take advantage of strawberry season and celebrate mom (or any special person in your life!) with a batch of your own homemade chocolate covered strawberries. Set yourself up for success following these easy Toasty Tips:
Give Your Berries a Bath!
· Use one part white vinegar and three parts water to remove any bacteria and prolong the life and texture of those beautiful strawberries.
o How to: Place strawberries in large bowl. Pour in 1 part white vinegar and then 2-3 parts water until the strawberries are covered (don’t overthink, just pour!). Let the strawberries soak for 5-10 minutes and then gently swish them around with your hands. Move your strawberries to a colander and rinse under fresh water.
Dry Dry Dry!
· Give your strawberries ample time to fully dry which will give the chocolate a better cling.
o How to: After vinegar rinse, gently pat strawberries dry and let them finish airdrying by laying them out on a clean towel and popping in the fridge.
Thin Your Chocolate!
· Thinning your melting chocolate or wafers will ensure a nice light crisp bite instead of a thick layer of chocolate.
o How to: Add a splash of room temperature cocoa butter or neutral oil (coconut oil, grapeseed oil, or canola) to your chocolate before heating.
Get the Right Temperature!
· Chocolate too hot and strawberries too cold do not mesh. Take your time and work in small batches for the best results.
o How to: Remove strawberries from fridge and let them sit out for about an hour before dipping.
o If you don’t have a chocolate or double boiler, use a glass or microwave safe bowl to melt the chocolate. When microwaving, set the power to 75% and stir every 30 seconds until just melted. Let the chocolate rest for a couple of minutes before dipping if it appears too hot. The temperature should be between 85° - 90°F.
Dip Away!
o How to: Place a couple toothpicks at the top of the strawberry for a firm grip on the berry without damaging leaves, berry or getting your fingers a chocolatey mess! Dip, swirl, let excess chocolate run off and lay on a large baking sheet covered with parchment paper.
Store Properly!
o Fresh dipped strawberries are best stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark spot for 1-2 days. For longer storage, place them in the fridge.