If you’re looking for a fun and festive treat for Independence Day, try these 4th of July Chocolate-Covered Strawberries. Dipped in rich, creamy chocolate and decorated with silver stars, they will surely be a hit at any holiday gathering. Plus, they’re super easy to make and absolutely delicious.
You’ll love how easy these strawberry treats are to make and how adorable they look when decorated with colorful candy sprinkles. Plus, you can dress them up for any holiday, making them the perfect festive treat for any celebration.
4th of July is a fun time to celebrate with friends. And I find it is a great chance to create some patriotic desserts!
So this year, have your kids help make these fun patriotic treats. You can dye the white chocolate red, white, or blue and add colorful sprinkles. I kept mine a bit simple, but I love how the silver stars look with the red strawberries.
Why You’ll Love These 4th of July Chocolate Covered Strawberries!
- Festive and Patriotic: The red, white, and blue decorations make these strawberries perfect for celebrating Independence Day.
- Easy to Make: This recipe is simple and quick, so you can have a delicious treat ready in no time.
- Deliciously Sweet: The combination of juicy strawberries and rich chocolate is a crowd-pleaser.
- Healthy Option: These treats offer a healthier alternative to other sugary snacks, combining fresh fruit with a touch of indulgence.
- Great for Parties: They’re a fun and eye-catching addition to any 4th of July celebration, sure to impress your guests.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Strawberries: These provide a juicy and fresh base that pairs perfectly with the rich chocolate coating.
- Melting Chocolate: This coats the strawberries, giving them a smooth and delicious chocolatey layer.
- Shortening: Shortening added to the chocolate helps achieve a smooth, glossy finish and prevents the chocolate from clumping and hardening.
- Sprinkles: These add a festive touch with red, white, and blue colors, making the strawberries perfect for 4th of July celebration
I’ve always wanted to cover strawberries with chocolate. But, melting the chocolate has always intimidated me, and I couldn’t get past that fear.
Through failing a couple of times, I finally conquered how to melt chocolate!
Read below on the key thing to add to melting chocolates!
Step 1 – Clean and Dry Strawberries
The strawberries need to be dry so that the chocolate sticks to the surface. Once dry, place on a plate and make sure to keep the stems on the strawberries. You’ll hold on to the stems while dipping them in the chocolate
Step 2 – Melt Chocolate
A: Place Chocolate in a Microwaveable Bowl
B: Microwave
Now, here is the essential part of the instructions: Add 1-2 teaspoons of shortening for every 5 ounces of chocolate. Incorporating a small amount of vegetable shortening into the chocolates before melting helps them achieve a smoother consistency and prevents them from seizing in the microwave.
C: Cook in 30 Second Intervals
It helps to have the patience for this part.
Cook for 30 seconds, and then take out and stir the chocolate. It took a long time for my chocolate to warm, but I was determined not to overcook it. And if you take your time, the chocolate comes out perfect!
D: How to Tell When It is Ready
Once your chocolate is half melted, stir it really well. Then, put it back in the microwave for about 15 seconds.
This is important! It is ready if you still have a few small pieces of chocolate. When you stir the chocolate, the heat will melt the small pieces. So stir until it is smooth and melted.
If you want to color your chocolate, add some drops of food dye at this stage.
E: Don’t Overcook!
Don’t overcook the chocolate. When the chocolate is overcooked, it will become a hard consistency, and there is no turning back. The package did say not to add water to make it smooth. But if you must add some liquid, a couple of teaspoons of cooking oil or more shortening is ok. I had it ready but never had to use the extra oil.
Also, if you need to cover a lot of strawberries, I suggest you do it in small batches. Melting large amounts of chocolate is tricky, takes longer, and can burn and clump.
Step 3 – Dip Strawberries
Hold on to the strawberry with the stem, dip, roll, and strawberry in the melted chocolate. Once the strawberry is covered, carefully place its stem on parchment paper.
Before the chocolate has time to harden, sprinkle it with silver stars.
Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Ingredients
- 10-12 strawberries
- 5 ounces melting chocolate
- 1½ tsp shortening
Instructions
Prep Strawberries
- Wash strawberries and dry them thoroughly.
Melting Chocolate
- Place a sheet of parchment paper next to the strawberries.
- Place Wilton Candy Melts in a microwave-safe bowl. Add 1½ teaspoons of shortening to the chocolate melts. Incorporating a small amount of vegetable shortening into the chocolates before melting helps them achieve a smoother consistency and prevents them from seizing in the microwave.
- Microwave the candy at 50% power or the DEFROST setting for 30 seconds. I found I could use full strength if I added the shortening. Stir thoroughly in the bowl and continue to microwave in 30-second intervals. With each interval, mix chocolate thoroughly.When the chocolate mixture is half melted, you're getting close to done. Keep cooking for 30 seconds. Mix thoroughly. When you have a few unmelted pieces left, your chocolate is done. Mix the chocolate, and the rest will melt as you mix. If you want to color your chocolate, add some drops of food dye at this stage.
- Hold on to the strawberry with the stem, dip, roll, and strawberry in the melted chocolate. Once the strawberry is covered, carefully place its stem on parchment paper.Before the chocolate has time to harden, sprinkle it with silver stars.
Notes
Nutrition
How to Store The Strawberries
Place chocolate-covered strawberries in an airtight container lined with parchment paper and refrigerate for up to two days. Avoid stacking them to prevent the chocolate from sticking together for best results. It is best to eat them the same day you make them.
Variations on These White Chocolate-Covered Strawberries
- Red, White, and Blue Drizzle: Drizzle each strawberry with red, white, and blue colored chocolate for a festive look.
- Patriotic Sprinkles: Decorate with red, white, and blue star-shaped sprinkles to enhance the holiday theme.
- White Chocolate with Blueberries: Dip in white chocolate and add a blueberry on top for an extra burst of flavor and color.
- Marbled Chocolate: Create a marbled effect by swirling red and blue colored chocolate together before dipping the strawberries.
- Chocolate-Dipped with Coconut Flakes: Roll the chocolate-dipped strawberries in shredded coconut for a tropical twist.
- Sparkling Sugar Coating: Sprinkle edible glitter or sparkling sugar over the chocolate for a shimmering, festive finish.
More Strawberry Recipes!
Happy Fourth of July, and thanks for dropping by! I hope your get-togethers are filled with fun, laughter, and plenty of delicious food. Enjoy making and sharing these cute and festive chocolate-covered strawberries!
Cheers,
Photo Credits: MyPhotography.com
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