Decorating Ideas For Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Chocolate covered strawberries are decorated with different sprinkles.

Decorated chocolate covered strawberries are laid out on a countertop.

Rows of decorated strawberries sit on a baking sheet.

Learn how to make chocolate covered strawberries! A simple and popular dessert for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, birthday parties, or anytime you're craving a sweet little treat. Have fun decorating your chocolate dipped strawberries or enjoy them plain. Either way, it's a treat that's sure to impress! Only 20 minutes to prepare!

Chocolate covered strawberries are decorated with different sprinkles.

Hello LOVAHS.

Look at me getting all fancy with chocolate and strawberries and sprinkles. My kids were like, "Are you our mom?" And my husband was like, "Can I eat one of those?"

Yes dear. Love is in the air. And chocolate covered strawberries are bringing the romance.

But for the record, romance can happen anytime. Weekday, weekend, winter, summer, anytime you fancy. But obviously, you'll have a better Valentine's Day if you extend extra notes of affection on that love crazed holiday versus the phrase "but I already tell you that I love you every day." If you do risk going that route, you better have some chocolate covered strawberries to make up for it later.

**Why you'll love this recipe**

Because it's chocolate + strawberries. Perfect soulmates.
And because you'll end up getting a little messy with chocolate on your fingers and you'll get to lick it off. If you're the type that doesn't like licking chocolate off your fingers grab a roommate, spouse, friend, or any kiddos that you might have running around your home. I guarantee that one of them will be happy to take over the strawberry chocolate dipping for you.
Decorating with different kinds of sprinkles is fun. And if sprinkle decorating isn't your jam, refer back to #2.

Recipe ingredients

Strawberries, white and dark chocolate, and containers of sprinkles sit on a countertop.

Chocolate - Baking chocolate (versus conventional chocolate chips) is what we want to use. Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, white chocolate, any type of baking chocolate that makes your heart giddy will work. You can find baking chocolate in the baking aisle at most grocery stores. It comes in different forms: bars, blocks, chips, or wafers. Be sure to pick high-quality baking chocolate that would be tasty enough to eat as a snack. Look for brands such as Ghirardelli, Guittard, Callebaut, or Valrhona.
Sprinkles! - Not a requirement but sprinkles are fun and cute and they make the kids squeal with delight. (See below for more topping ideas!)
Strawberries - Fresh, sweet, and perfectly ripe. Avoid using strawberries with any bruised or damaged spots.

Chocolate covered strawberries are decorated with sanding sugars and sprinkles.

Plain or a little fancy? You decide!

Plain chocolate-dipped strawberries are definitely delish on their own but if you want to add some bling to your strawberries here are some more ideas to dip them in!

Mini chocolate chips
Shredded coconut
Toffee bits
Crushed candy canes
Crushed cookies, graham crackers, or pretzels
Finely chopped nuts like pecans, pistachios, or almonds
Add a drizzle of white chocolate on dark chocolate, or vice versa! Use a piping bag with the very end snipped off to drizzle lines or designs. The tines of a fork dipped in chocolate and then drizzled will also work but may look a little messier.
A drizzle of salted caramel
Sprinkles!!! I used the white jimmies sprinkles, white pearl sugar, and the white sanding sugar from this pack of sprinkles to decorate my strawberries but the options are endless. These Valentine-themed sprinkles and this set of sanding sugars would be fun too!

Step by step instructions

Strawberries are dried and a double boiler is set up.

Step 1: This step is SUPER IMPORTANT. Strawberries often have debris clinging to them which we definitely don't want in our treats. Give them a good rinse in room temperature water and then THOROUGHLY DRY them off one by one. The chocolate will not stick to the strawberries if the strawberries are not COMPLETELY dry.
Note: Capitalizing/bolding for the benefit of our friendship and so that I don't receive anger mail telling me that the chocolate didn't stick.

Step 2: Set up a double boiler by placing a heat-proof bowl over a pot of simmering water. Make sure that the bottom of the bowl is not touching the water. There should be a couple of inches of space between the water and the bowl. OR OPTION #2 --> Melt the chocolate in the microwave, in approximately 20-second intervals, stirring in between, until just before the chocolate has fully melted.

Chocolate is placed in the double boiler and melted.

Step 3: Place chocolate in the bowl (and maybe snag a piece for your mouth).

Step 4: Continuously stir the chocolate as it's melting. We want to avoid overheating the chocolate because this can cause the chocolate to seize. Just before the chocolate has fully melted remove the bowl from the heat and continue stirring until all of the remaining chocolate bits have melted.

Dipping a strawberru in chocolate and decorating it.

Step 5: This is the fun part! Dip the strawberry in the chocolate. Hold the strawberry by the leaves and dip it into the melted chocolate rotating the strawberry to coat all sides. Lift and allow the excess chocolate to run off. You can also slide the strawberry across the inside edge of the bowl to help remove some of the excess chocolate. If you're not able to hold onto the strawberry by the leaves, you can also poke a toothpick into the top of the strawberry to hold it instead.

Step 6: Time to decorate! Completely optional but completely fun. Decorate with sprinkles are any other fun toppings you can think of. Once decorated allow the chocolate covered strawberries to rest on a parchment paper (or wax paper) lined baking sheet until the chocolate is firm.

Rows of decorated strawberries sit on a baking sheet.

Recipe tips

Use ripe strawberries but not too ripe. Bright red strawberries will be the most flavorful but too ripe and they will be mushy.
It's worth saying one more time...wash and DRY THE STRAWBERRIES VERY, VERY WELL. The melted chocolate won't stick to wet strawberries and water in your chocolate will make the chocolate lumpy and grainy and eww.
Prep your dipping and decorating station before you begin. Have your sprinkles and toppings ready for dipping, a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and all of the strawberries washed and dried before you begin melting the chocolate. Your strawberry chocolate dunking workflow will go much more smoothly if everything is prepped in advance.
Decorating with sanding sugars - If you wait just a few moments after the strawberry has been dipped in the chocolate to then dip the strawberry in the sanding sugar, it will allow the chocolate to set just a bit avoiding a chocolaty drippy mess in the sugar. I also found that waiting a few moments helped to keep the chocolate in place on the strawberry while being dipped in the sugar. But don't wait too long or they won't stick at all!
Decorating with sprinkles - If you're pressing sprinkles onto the strawberries by hand, you can do so right away after the strawberry has been dipped in the chocolate.
Decorating with a chocolate drizzle - Once the strawberry has been dipped in the chocolate, allow it to set before adding a second chocolate drizzle on top. I found that if I didn't wait at least a little bit for the chocolate to partially set before adding the drizzle, the drizzle would tend to slide down the strawberry a bit.
Allow the strawberries to set at room temperature. I do not suggest chilling the strawberries in the refrigerator to speed up the setting process because this can cause condensation to form making the strawberries wet and unpleasant. The strawberries will be completely fine set out all day at room temperature or in a cool, unrefrigerated space.
They are best enjoyed the day of. They will still be edible the following day but they will be tastier if you enjoy them the same day they are made.

Recipe FAQs

Should the strawberries be cold before dipping in chocolate?

No, they should be at room temperature. This will help to prevent condensation.

Why do my chocolate covered strawberries leak?

Strawberries are roughly made up of 91% water. As they sit they will naturally begin to expel their juices. Also, strawberries may begin leaking earlier than normal if strawberries with bruises or damaged spots were used.

Can you leave chocolate covered strawberries in the fridge overnight?

If you need to store them overnight, they can be stored in the refrigerator or in a cool space. Just be aware that they may begin to form condensation after about 1 hour in the fridge. Allow the refrigerated berries to sit at room temperature about 30 minutes before serving.

How far in advance can I make chocolate covered strawberries?

It is best to make them within 24 hours of when you plan on eating them.

Decorated chocolate covered strawberries are laid out on a countertop.

Small, simple, decadent treats that bring the romantic out in all of us.

Let the swooning commence. ♡

More tasty dessert recipes!

Gluten-Free Blueberry Crisp with a delicious oat pecan topping
Chocolate Chip Brownie Cheesecake decadent and divine
Gluten-Free Blackberry Pie absolutely heavenly
Gluten-Free Raspberry Hand Pies with white chocolate drizzle
No-Churn Red Wine, Strawberry, & Salted Dark Chocolate Ice Cream adults only

Did You Make This Recipe?!

If you make this recipe, I'd love to hear about it! Leave a comment and a star rating below! I greatly appreciate your feedback and it is also so helpful for other PMST readers who are thinking about making the recipe. Remember to snap a photo and tag @passmesometasty on Instagram so I can see!

Description

Chocolate covered strawberries are a sweet and simple dessert for any occasion or any time you have a sweet tooth. Have fun decorating them or keep them plain. Either way, they'll be tasty!

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

24 large strawberries, rinsed and thoroughly dried
12 ounces baking chocolate

Optional Toppings

sprinkles
mini chocolate chips
shredded coconut
toffee bits
crushed candy canes
crushed cookies, graham crackers, or pretzels
finely chopped nuts such as pecans, pistachios, or almonds
a drizzle of salted caramel
a drizzle of white chocolate

Prep your dipping and decorating station: Have your sprinkles and toppings ready for dipping, a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and all of the strawberries washed and dried before you begin melting the chocolate. Your strawberry chocolate dunking workflow will go much more smoothly if everything is prepped in advance.
Dry the strawberries: Double-check that your strawberries are completely dry and free of moisture. This is very important in order for the chocolate to stick to the strawberries.
Melt the chocolate, stovetop directions: Place a heat-proof bowl over a pot of simmering water. Make sure that the bottom of the bowl is not touching the water. There should be a couple of inches of space between the water and the bowl. Place chocolate in the bowl. Continuously stir the chocolate as it's melting. Just before the chocolate has fully melted remove the bowl from the heat and continue stirring until all of the remaining chocolate bits have melted. Avoid overheating the chocolate because this can cause the chocolate to seize.
Melt the chocolate, microwave directions: Melt the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl by microwaving in approximately 20-second intervals, stirring in between each interval, until just before all of the chocolate has fully melted. Continue stirring until the remaining chocolate bits have melted.
Dip the strawberries in the chocolate: Hold the strawberry by the leaves and dip it into the melted chocolate rotating the strawberry to coat all sides. Lift and allow the excess chocolate to run off. You can also slide the strawberry across the inside edge of the bowl to help remove some of the excess chocolate.
Decorate the strawberries (optional): Decorate the strawberries with your favorites sprinkles and toppings (see notes)! Once decorated allow the chocolate covered strawberries to rest on a parchment paper (or wax paper) lined baking sheet until the chocolate has fully hardened.
Allow the chocolate to set: Let the strawberries sit at room temperature or in a cool, unrefrigerated space until the chocolate becomes firm. Then serve and enjoy!

Notes

The equipment section above contains affiliate links to products I use or recommend.

These are the sprinkles I used. These Valentine-themed sprinkles or these sanding sugars would be fun too!

Decorating with sanding sugars:If you wait just a few moments after the strawberry has been dipped in the chocolate to then dip the strawberry in the sanding sugar, it will allow the chocolate to set just a bit avoiding a chocolaty drippy mess in the sugar. I also found that waiting a few moments helped to keep the chocolate in place on the strawberry while being dipped in the sugar. But don't wait too long or they won't stick at all!

Decorating with sprinkles - If you're pressing sprinkles onto the strawberries by hand, you can do so right away after the strawberry has been dipped in the chocolate.

Decorating with a chocolate drizzle - Once the strawberry has been dipped in the chocolate, allow it to set before adding a second chocolate drizzle on top. I found that if I didn't wait at least a little bit for the chocolate to partially set before adding the drizzle, the drizzle would tend to slide down the strawberry a bit. Use a piping bag or a Ziploc bag with the very end snipped off to drizzle lines or designs. The tines of a fork dipped in chocolate and then drizzled will also work but may look a little messier.

Chocolate covered strawberries are best enjoyed the day of. They will still be edible the following day but they will be tastier if you enjoy them the same day they are made.

If you need to store your strawberries overnight, they can be stored in the refrigerator or preferably in a cool, unrefrigerated space. Be aware that they may begin to form condensation after about an hour in the fridge. Allow refrigerated berries to sit at room temperature about 30 minutes before serving.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: dessert recipes, gluten-free recipes, Valentines desserts, Valentines food, sweet treats

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