Here’s how to make chocolate covered strawberries: an easy dessert that’s impressive every time! This recipe makes perfectly dipped berries.

Here’s an easy dessert that’s impressively irresistible every time: Chocolate Covered Strawberries! It might seem easier to buy this popular treat. But they’re so simple to make at home! This recipe shows you how to make perfectly chocolate dipped strawberries, where the crunch of the crisp chocolate yields to the sweet tart tender fruit inside. It’s quick to put together and there are loads of fun topping ideas for any occasion. (Valentine’s Day? New Years Eve? Romantic dinner? All covered.)

How to make chocolate covered strawberries

This chocolate covered strawberries recipe is so easy, and the best part: you don’t have to temper the chocolate. Tempering chocolate is a technique used to ensure a glossy exterior and a crisp snap: it’s ideal for candy like chocolate bark. But you can skip it with dipped strawberries and simply melt the chocolate in the microwave! Here are the basic steps (or skip to the recipe below):

1. Wash and dry the strawberries: You’ll want the berries as dry as possible so the chocolate will stick.
2. Melt the chocolate in the microwave: Place the chocolate chips into a dry glass measuring cup, or a small glass cup or bowl. Microwave on High for 30 seconds, then stir. Cook in two more 30-second bursts, stirring after each. At this point it should be mostly melted with a few chunks: keep stirring until all the chocolate chunks disappear and the chocolate is perfectly smooth.
3. Dip the strawberries and add toppings: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Holding the green portion of a strawberry, dip it into the chocolate and then pull it out, twisting it to let the excess drip off. Place the strawberry onto the baking sheet and immediately sprinkle it with toppings. Repeat for all berries.
4. Refrigerate: Refrigerate the tray of strawberries for 30 minutes.

Best chocolate for chocolate covered strawberries

What’s the best chocolate for chocolate covered strawberries? Semi-sweet chocolate, either chocolate chips, melting wafers, baking chips, or a chocolate bar. Semi-sweet chocolate has just the right sweetness level to match the tartness of the berries: it’s preferred over milk or bittersweet chocolate.

Use a high quality brand chocolate chips like Guittard or Ghirardelli if you can. Our favorite for chocolate dipped strawberries is Guittard Semi Sweet Chocolate Baking Chips: they’re a bit larger than standard chips and make a smooth crisp chocolate coating.

Topping ideas

What are the best toppings for chocolate covered strawberries? There are so many fun ideas. Here we used crushed pistachios and crushed freeze dried raspberries, which make a beautifully bright color contrast! But we’ve used many other toppings which are all fun.

• Sprinkles
• Crushed pistachios (shown)
• Crushed freeze dried strawberries or raspberries (shown)
• Crushed pecans, almonds or hazelnuts
• Toasted coconut
• White chocolate to drizzle (see below)
• Crushed cookies

Variation: white chocolate strawberries

Want to vary these chocolate covered strawberries? Use white chocolate instead! We prefer the semi-sweet, but you can swap white chocolate or do half and half. You can also make a white chocolate drizzle, like you’ll see in many purchased chocolate dipped strawberries. Here’s how to do it:

• Melt half the amount of white chocolate in the method above. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring in between.
• After dipping in chocolate, use a fork to drizzle white chocolate. A fork is key to getting the nice even lines (don’t use a spoon).

Important note: When you’re shopping for white chocolate, make sure cocoa butter (not vegetable oil) is listed in the ingredients of the white chocolate. White chocolate with vegetable oil does not melt as well.

Storage for chocolate dipped strawberries

After you refrigerate for 30 minutes, you can serve the strawberries immediately. Or, transfer them to a sealed container, with parchment or wax paper to separate any layers. Store chocolate covered strawberries refrigerated for up to 5 days.

More strawberry desserts

Strawberries are perfect for festive treats. Here are a few more strawberry desserts that make for festive occasions: