If you’re searching for a show-stopping holiday treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat, then you’re in for a real treat. I absolutely love this Chocolate Covered Strawberries for Christmas Recipe because it combines the rich, velvety taste of chocolate with the fresh, juicy burst of strawberries—plus, it’s super festive and perfect for Christmas parties or gifting. Stick around, and I’ll walk you through every step to make sure your strawberries turn out perfectly glossy, delicious, and downright irresistible!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple yet impressive: These strawberries look complicated but are surprisingly easy to make, perfect for impressing guests without stress.
- Customizable: You can personalize with different chocolates and toppings to suit your taste or occasion.
- Great for gifting: Packaged beautifully, these make fantastic edible Christmas gifts that everyone will love.
- A festive crowd-pleaser: The combination of berries and chocolate is a universal favorite during the holidays.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For this Chocolate Covered Strawberries for Christmas Recipe, you want only the best ingredients to ensure flavor and texture shine together. Choosing the right chocolate and fresh strawberries makes all the difference. I always recommend high-quality baking chips and firm, ripe strawberries with their stems intact—they’re easier to handle and look pretty.
- Ghirardelli Baking Chips (Bittersweet, Semi-sweet, or Milk Chocolate): Pick your favorite chocolate, but I prefer the bittersweet or semi-sweet versions because they balance the sweetness of the strawberries perfectly.
- Fresh Strawberries with Stems Attached: Look for firm, plump strawberries—the fresher, the better. The stems make them easier to dip.
Variations
I love mixing things up sometimes, so I encourage you to experiment with this Chocolate Covered Strawberries for Christmas Recipe to match your holiday vibe or dietary needs. Whether you’re feeling classic, indulgent, or playful, there’s a fun way to customize.
- White Chocolate Drizzle: I discovered this trick where drizzling white chocolate on top adds an elegant, festive look that really wows guests.
- Toppings: Crushed nuts or coconut flakes are my go-to toppings—they add texture and extra flavor. You can swap with crushed peppermint for a Christmasy crunch!
- Chocolate Types: Using dark chocolate makes it less sweet and richer, while milk chocolate is great if you prefer a creamier, sweeter bite.
- Diet-Friendly: For something vegan or dairy-free, simply choose a quality dairy-free chocolate chip and enjoy.
How to Make Chocolate Covered Strawberries for Christmas Recipe
Step 1: Wash and Dry Your Strawberries Like a Pro
This is where many beginners stumble, but trust me—it’s a game-changer. After rinsing your strawberries under cool water, you must dry them extremely well. I use a clean kitchen towel and even let them sit a minute to air dry completely. Water and chocolate are like oil and water—they repel each other, which means if even one berry is wet, the chocolate won’t stick properly, and you’ll end up with a mess instead of beautiful berries.
Step 2: Melt Your Chocolate Carefully
I usually melt the chocolate using the microwave method because it’s quick and easy: heat it in 30-second bursts, stirring in between to prevent burning. If you prefer, a double boiler works beautifully and gives you more control, just make sure the water doesn’t touch the bowl’s bottom. Patience here leads to smooth, glossy chocolate—key for that luxurious finish.
Step 3: Dip and Decorate Your Strawberries
Hold your strawberry by the stem and dip it into the melted chocolate, twisting slightly as you lift it out so the excess drips back into the bowl. If you want toppings like crushed nuts or coconut flakes, have those ready on small plates and gently roll or sprinkle the dipped berry before setting it on parchment paper to cool. Don’t rush this step—it’s totally worth it for a neat, classy look.
Step 4: Chill and Set
Once all your strawberries are dipped and decorated, pop them in the fridge for about 15 minutes until the chocolate hardens. This chills them just right so the chocolate sets with a nice sheen and the berries stay juicy. I like to prepare these ahead and keep them chilled until party time—it really helps with presentation.
Pro Tips for Making Chocolate Covered Strawberries for Christmas Recipe
- Dry strawberries completely: I learned the hard way that even a small amount of water causes chocolate to seize—dry well, folks!
- Room temperature chocolate: Bring chocolate to room temp before melting to ensure an even melt without scorching.
- Use parchment paper: It prevents sticking and helps keep the chocolate coating smooth when it hardens.
- Work quickly but gently: Chocolate sets fast once dipped, so don’t wait too long between steps, but handle berries softly to avoid breaking stems.
How to Serve Chocolate Covered Strawberries for Christmas Recipe
Garnishes
I love sprinkling some crushed peppermint or edible red and green glitter right after dipping for that extra festive sparkle. Another favorite is a light dusting of powdered sugar or cocoa powder for texture contrast. These little details make your chocolate strawberries grab everyone’s attention!
Side Dishes
Pair these chocolate covered strawberries with a rich cheese platter—think brie or sharp cheddar—and some buttery crackers for a luxurious holiday spread. They also go surprisingly well alongside a warm cup of mulled wine or a creamy hot cocoa when you want a sweet and cozy winter combo.
Creative Ways to Present
For Christmas parties, I often arrange my strawberries on a festive platter lined with fresh pine branches or sprigs of holly for that wow factor. You could also place them in decorative cupcake liners or use a tiered dessert stand for a more elegant vibe. Gift-wise, transparent boxes tied with a red ribbon make your homemade goodies look super special.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once your strawberries have set, you can store leftovers in a single layer on a parchment-lined plate or tray, covered loosely with plastic wrap. I keep mine in the fridge and find they stay fresh and look good for up to two days—but honestly, they rarely last that long in my house!
Freezing
Freezing chocolate covered strawberries is tricky because the texture of strawberries changes and the chocolate can lose its glossy finish. I’ve tried it before, and while it works for a quick fix, the berries become a bit mushy when thawed, so I usually avoid freezing if possible.
Reheating
Usually, there’s no reheating involved since these are best enjoyed cold or at room temperature. If your chocolate loses its sheen, letting the berries sit at room temp for 10 minutes can help soften the chocolate just a bit without melting it.
FAQs
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Can I use regular chocolate bars instead of baking chips for this recipe?
Yes, you can! Just chop the chocolate bars into small, even pieces to ensure they melt smoothly and evenly. Baking chips contain stabilizers that help with melting, but using good-quality chocolate bars works just fine with careful melting.
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My chocolate seized when melting; what went wrong?
Chocolate seizes if it comes into contact with water or if it’s overheated. Make sure your utensils and bowls are completely dry before melting, and melt the chocolate slowly in short intervals, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
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Can I prepare chocolate covered strawberries ahead of time for a party?
Absolutely! I recommend making them a few hours ahead and keeping them refrigerated until serving to preserve freshness and keep the chocolate nice and set.
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What’s the best way to prevent chocolate from melting on strawberries at room temperature?
Keep the strawberries in a cool place or refrigerated until right before serving. Using high-quality chocolate and properly setting the coating by chilling helps it stay firm longer at room temp as well.
Final Thoughts
I hope you enjoyed me sharing this Chocolate Covered Strawberries for Christmas Recipe—it’s one of my favorite festive staples because it’s easy to make, gorgeous to look at, and downright delicious. It’s brought so much joy to my holiday celebrations and always racks up compliments wherever I take it. So go ahead, give it a try this season; I bet you’ll love handing out these sweet bites of Christmas cheer as much as I do!
Print
Chocolate Covered Strawberries for Christmas Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 30 strawberries
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Melting
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight your Christmas party guests with these gourmet chocolate covered strawberries. Made with high-quality Ghirardelli chocolate and fresh, juicy strawberries, these treats combine the perfect balance of rich chocolate and fruity freshness. Customize with optional toppings like crushed nuts or coconut flakes, and finish with a gorgeous white chocolate drizzle for an elegant touch.
Ingredients
Chocolate
- 10 ounce package Ghirardelli Baking Chips (Bittersweet, Semi-sweet, or Milk Chocolate) (285 g)
Fruit
- 2 pounds fresh strawberries with stems attached
Optional Toppings
- Crushed nuts (quantity as desired)
- Coconut flakes (quantity as desired)
- White chocolate for drizzling (quantity as desired)
Instructions
- Prepare the Strawberries: Wash the strawberries thoroughly and dry them very well. It is essential that the strawberries are completely dry, as any moisture will prevent the chocolate from adhering properly.
- Prepare Toppings and Work Surface: If using toppings like crushed nuts or coconut flakes, place them on small plates for easy dipping. Line a sheet pan with parchment or waxed paper to place the dipped strawberries on.
- Melt the Chocolate: Using a double boiler or microwave, melt the Ghirardelli baking chips. For the microwave method, heat in 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval until the chocolate is smooth and fully melted. Be careful not to burn the chocolate by stirring frequently.
- Dip the Strawberries: Holding each strawberry by the stem, dip it into the melted chocolate. Lift the strawberry and twist it slightly to let excess chocolate drip back into the bowl.
- Add Toppings: Immediately after dipping, if desired, roll or sprinkle the strawberry with chosen toppings such as crushed nuts or coconut flakes. Place the dipped strawberries onto the prepared parchment-lined sheet pan.
- Drizzle with White Chocolate (Optional): For an elegant finish, dip a fork or a thin utensil into melted white chocolate and drizzle it over the dipped strawberries to create a decorative pattern.
- Chill to Set: Place the strawberries in the refrigerator and chill for about 15 minutes until the chocolate sets firm.
Notes
- Bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate is preferred for a balanced rich flavor, but milk chocolate can be used if a sweeter taste is desired.
- Ensure strawberries are completely dry before dipping to prevent the chocolate from sliding off.
- Add toppings immediately after dipping to ensure they stick to the chocolate before it hardens.
- The white chocolate drizzle adds a beautiful contrast and festive appearance, but it can be omitted if desired.
- Store any leftover chocolate covered strawberries in the refrigerator and consume within 2 days for freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 strawberry
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Fat: 3.5g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
