Give your sweetheart a sweet gift by learning how to make a chocolate dipped strawberry bouquet. Delicious strawberries covered in smooth milk chocolate bunched together for an edible gift they’ll remember for years!
For most people, the best Valentine’s Day gift is a homemade gift, but sometimes, you have a need or a want to go simple, but elegant. Learning how to make a chocolate dipped strawberry bouquet fits both of those requirements.
Edible bouquets are great for more than just Valentine’s Day. They’re also fantastic for Mother’s Day, birthdays, as a wedding centerpiece or gift, anniversary gifts or even Christmas. Pretty much everyone loves fruit – especially chocolate-covered strawberries – which means you really can’t go wrong!
How Do You Dip Strawberries for a Bouquet?
The easiest way to ensure that you’re dipping strawberries for a bouquet correctly is to ensure that your wood or bamboo skewers are placed correctly and that your berries are fully dry before you attempt to dip them in the melted chocolate.
Once you’re sure those two things are correct, dip the strawberry deep into the chocolate. Then, roll it to cover the sides of the berries. Finally, slowly raise the berry and allow the excess chocolate to drip from berry.
You don’t need to let all of the excess drip back into the bowl of melted chocolate. You’re just looking for enough that it does not pool when you lay it on the wax paper or parchment paper covered baking sheet to harden.
Should Strawberries Be Cold Before Dipping in Chocolate?
When you’re making chocolate covered strawberries, it is best to use cold strawberries. This is because cold strawberries will cause the chocolate to harden quickly, resulting in a thicker coating and a shiny finish.
If the strawberries are not cold, the chocolate may become too thin and runny, making it difficult to achieve a smooth and even coating. Additionally, cold strawberries will help to keep the chocolate in a solid state, which makes it easier to handle and less prone to melting.
Chill the strawberries for at least 30 minutes to an hour to chill and remove them one at a time as you’re dipping them. This will not only make the strawberries cold but also remove any excess moisture. This will keep any condensation down and help the chocolate stick better.
Another great tip is to use high-quality chocolate when dipping strawberries. Ghirardelli is a great brand although chocolate that is formulated specifically for dipping, such as chocolate candy melts, will work better than regular chocolate. They are made to have a good consistency for dipping and covering candy completely.
How to Get Chocolate to Stick to Strawberries
It can be infuriating when you’re making chocolate-dipped strawberries, but can’t get the chocolate to stick to the berry. The key to this is making sure to dry the strawberries thoroughly before dipping them in the chocolate.
Moisture on the surface of the strawberries causes condensation buildup which can cause the chocolate to slide off or not adhere properly.
The way that I make sure my berries are ready is to drain them very well using a mesh strainer. I then dry each individual berry using a paper towel. Once they’ve been dried with a paper towel, I allow them to sit at room temperature for around 10-minutes before placing in the fridge.
Do You Refrigerate a Strawberry Bouquet?
A chocolate covered strawberry bouquet does not need to be refrigerated, but you should store it in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight or heat.. Putting it in the fridge can cause the chocolate to sweat and lose its shine.
With that said, If you live in a hot area like me, it’s best to store it in the refrigerator to ensure the chocolate doesn’t melt. After all, no one wants a vase full of melted chocolate.
What Toppings Go Well With an Easy Chocolate Covered Strawberry Bouquet?
When you dip your strawberries, you don’t have to leave them bare chocolate. You can also roll them in toppings! Before the chocolate begins to dry, roll them in your chosen topping and allow to harden!
A few topping ideas are:
- Crushed nuts: chopped almonds, crushed pecans, or hazelnuts add a nice crunch and a touch of nuttiness to the sweet chocolate and juicy strawberries.
- Sprinkles: add a pop of color and a playful touch to your chocolate covered strawberries with various sprinkles. For example you could use rainbow sprinkles, or even crushed candy canes for a festive look.
- Coconut flakes: unsweetened coconut flakes or sweetened coconut flakes add a tropical twist and a bit of texture to your chocolate covered strawberries.
- Sea Salt: A sprinkle of flaked sea salt on top of the chocolate provides a nice contrast between the sweetness of the chocolate and the saltiness, also brings out the chocolate flavor.
- Crushed Cookies: Crush Oreo cookies, graham crackers, or any other cookies you like. Then dip the chocolate-covered strawberry in the crushed cookies for a fun, crunchy twist.
- Crushed candies: If you want a colorful treat, Crush some hard candies like Skittles, M&Ms, or Nerds, then press the crushed candies onto the top of the chocolate.
- Chocolate Drizzle: Melt a small amount of white chocolate and drizzle it over the top of your chocolate covered strawberries for an elegant look.
How Long Will a Strawberry Bouquet Stay Fresh?
It’s best to consume a chocolate covered strawberry bouquet within 2 days. Chocolate covered strawberries are perishable and will only stay fresh for a limited time. Consume them as soon as possible, or refrigerate them if they will not be eaten within 2 days.
How to Make A Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Bouquet
Equipment
- Coffee Mug, or other container for your edible bouquet
Ingredients
- 1 Qt. Organic Strawberries
- 8 Oz. Milk Chocolate
- 2 Oz. White Chocolate
- Paraffin Wax
Instructions
- Wash the strawberries well and allow them to drain in a mesh colander. After draining, dry each berry with a paper towel. Do not skip either step. Cut the floral foam to fit inside the coffee cup or container you're using and sit aside.1 Qt. Organic Strawberries
- Melt both chocolates separately in a double boiler over low heat. Add a small amount of paraffin wax to each chocolate to help it harden. Stir occasionally so it does not burn. While the chocolate is melting, run a skewer through the center of each strawberry next to the stem and as close to the center as you can get.8 Oz. Milk Chocolate, 2 Oz. White Chocolate, Paraffin Wax
- Once the milk chocolate has melted, dip each berry into the milk chocolate. Lay each berry onto a baking sheet with parchment paper and allow them to harden. Once they're hardened, drizzle melted white chocolate over a few as a garnish.
- After the chocolate has hardened completely, arrange each berry in the coffee cup by sticking the empty end of the skewer into the floral foam. Add shredded tissue paper to the cup or other floral or fruit accents to fill out the edible bouquet.
Notes
- Nutrition information is auto-calculated and may not be correct.