February 10, 2012
When the sign-ups for my daughter’s Valentine’s Day party made the rounds I quickly responded with, “I’ll bring chocolate dipped strawberries.” Uh-oh (did I say that out loud?), I’ve never exactly made chocolate dipped strawberries. But like most things, I’m happiest when I’m freelancing and luckily my little experiment here worked. The result: I think I’ll have some stoked kindergartners next week. And for you, something ridiculously easy and pretty for your own valentines.
It may be a little early for strawberry season in most locales, but the incredible weather here in Santa Barbara has translated into an early strawberry crop. At the farmers market this morning I was excited by rows and rows of pretty red berries and even managed to maneuver them home in my bike basket. Yes, I rode my bike to the market — probably the first and last time — it sounds nice, but riding home uphill on a cruiser with your basket full is not fun.
These simple, sweet treats were prepared with things I hand on hand, aside from my farmers market strawberries. While this recipe is beyond easy, with some trial and error I figured out how to make them look cute rather than brown and blobby.
Doesn't this look like cupid's spear?
Strawberries
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (I like Ghirardelli or Guittard)
Sprinkles
Wooden sandwich spears
First, wash your strawberries; look for small, firm berries. Wash and gently pat dry. Pull off just the leaves and keep the center stalk as the anchor for your spear.
Next, warm your chocolate. Place chips in microwave safe bowl and first heat for 20 seconds. Stop and stir, and then continue in 10-second intervals (stopping and stirring) until melted and smooth.
Then, spear your strawberry and dip in the chocolate. Here’s what I learned, you only need to dip half the berry into the chocolate, that gives plenty of chocolate but also let’s the pretty red berry be the star. After you dip in the chocolate, dip in sprinkles of your choosing.
It’s that easy and a makes a perfect little festive treat.
