Halloween Chocolate Covered Strawberries

These Halloween chocolate covered strawberries are super easy to make and make for a seriously delicious snack for spooky season.

It's absolutely delightful to sink your teeth through the creamy chocolate and into the cool, juicy strawberry flesh within.

Making them is a really fun way to show off your creative side with the decorations. They'd be great to serve at a Halloween party, or to take along as a spooky snack for Trick or Treating.

It's absolutely delightful to sink your teeth through the creamy chocolate and into the cool, juicy strawberry flesh within.

For this recipe, the strawberries are coated with a mix of chocolate and candy melts, then decorated with more chocolate and a smattering of sprinkles and candy eyes to bring out the festive fun.

I tested different coatings for these strawberries multiple times and found that a blend of candy melts and chocolate is the best coating by miles.

You see, chocolate requires tempering if you want a good shine, but candy melts can simply be melted and used.

On the other hand, chocolate tastes great, while candy melts can be a bit underwhelming, which is a problem if they're a key part of the dish's flavour.

And finally, candy melts come in all sort of colours while chocolate can be quite hard to colour as it has a tendency to seize or split unless you buy specialist powder or oil based colouring.

Using a combination of candy melts and chocolate, melted together, gives the best of both worlds. It's easy to work with, you get great colour, a shiny finish and delicious flavour. Win win win win!

Here's the full recipe for my Halloween Chocolate Covered Strawberries. Have fun!

Instructions

Line a tray with baking paper.

Set up three microwave safe bowls, containing the following:

• 40g white chocolate, 40g candy melts
• 40g white chocolate, 40g candy melts
• 40g dark chocolate, 40g black candy melts

Melt each bowl gently in the microwave in 20 second bursts, stirring until just melted.

Hold a strawberry by its stem and dip one of the chocolate colours. Turn to coat and then allowing the excess to drip away before laying on the lined sheet.

Repeat so that all the strawberries are coated, with roughly a third in each colour. If you're adding sprinkles to some, make sure to do it while the chocolate is still wet.

Allow the chocolate to set.

Transfer the remaining chocolate to piping bags - if the chocolate has begun to set, you can briefly re-warm it in the microwave first.

Snip the very end off the piping details and use them to add details, such as a zigzag drizzle or contrasting facial features for vampires, jack o lanterns, ghosts and skeletons. You can also use a dot of chocolate to attach the candy eyes.

Allow to set completely, then serve!

Make sure to store any leftovers closely covered in the fridge.

Pointers, tricks and troubleshooting tips for the perfect Halloween chocolate covered strawberries

Are Halloween chocolate covered strawberries easy to make?

Just like any other chocolate covered strawberry, Halloween chocolate-covered strawberries are easy to make, they just require a little bit of prep work and patience. But the end result is always worth it!

To make your strawberries, you'll melt your coating ingredients in the microwave, then it's simply a case of dipping, cooling and decorating the strawberries however you like!

If you have any questions about making Halloween chocolate covered strawberries, just leave a comment below and I'll be happy to help!

Will I need any special equipment to make Halloween chocolate covered strawberries?

Considering how impressive these strawberries turn out, you only need a few bits of everyday kitchen equipment to make them!

I used scales and measuring spoons to measure out my ingredients. Then I used some microwave-safe bowls to melt the coating ingredients. Then to assemble I used a non-stick baking sheet, some baking paper and piping bags to decorate.

There's always a complete list of suggested equipment on the recipe card below my recipes if you're in doubt. 

I also always include links to example products, to show exactly what I used to make each recipe.

What are candy melts? 

Candy melts are a chocolate-flavored candy coating that can be used to dip fruit, cookies, and other snacks. They're usually in pellet or coin shapes and come in a range of colours. You use candy melts by melting them in the microwave or in a double boiler.

Where can I buy candy melts? 

You can find candy melts in the baking aisle of most grocery stores or online. They are sold all year and come in various colours and sometimes flavours. So if you can't find the candy melt colours in this recipe, try using another colour. Green and purple are also perfect colours for Halloween!

Do I have to use Halloween-themed candy melts?

No, you can use any kind of candy melt that you like! If you want to make Halloween chocolate covered strawberries, I recommend using orange, black, or green candy melts.

Are Halloween chocolate covered strawberries suitable for vegetarians?

Yes! As long as you use vegetarian candy melts.

Sometimes candy coatings can contain animal-derived ingredients like shellac for a shiny finish, or for colouring purposes. PETA has an extensive list of animal-derived products often found in surprising foods.

When cooking for someone with dietary requirements, always make sure that you double-check all of your ingredient labels to ensure that they are suitable. Also, don't forget to check anything extra that you intend to serve with your Halloween chocolate covered strawberries.

Are Halloween chocolate covered strawberries suitable for vegans?

While this recipe isn't vegan, it should be easy to adapt.

Chocolate isn't suitable for vegans and some brands of candy melt also contain dairy or non-vegan ingredients.

However, there are plenty of brands of vegan chocolate which would work perfectly for this recipe. In the UK, most supermarkets sell various plant-based chocolates on the confectionary or baking aisle. Plus, many candy melts are naturally vegan. So just check your ingredient labels before you buy them to ensure they are vegan.

Animal-derived products can be used to thicken, colour or flavour sweet and savoury food, so it sneaks into the most surprising ingredients! So always make sure that you double-check all of your ingredient labels to ensure that they are vegetarian.

Are Halloween chocolate covered strawberries gluten-free?

As long as you use chocolate and candy melts labelled gluten-free (most are), this recipe should be perfectly suitable for someone who is coeliac or gluten-intolerant.

Double-check all of your ingredient labels to make sure that they are gluten-free. Don't forget to check anything extra you intend to serve with your Halloween chocolate covered strawberries.

Are Halloween chocolate covered strawberries keto-friendly?

Sorry, this recipe isn't suitable for the keto diet as it contains sugar and strawberries.

While you could potentially use a sugar-free chocolate and candy melts, strawberries are unsuitable for a ketogenic diet. This is because they contain too many carbs for the daily limit on a keto diet.

Double-check all of your ingredient labels to make sure that they are keto-friendly. Don't forget to check anything extra you intend to serve with your Halloween chocolate covered strawberries.

Are Halloween chocolate covered strawberries suitable for those on a FODMAP diet?

This recipe isn't particularly suitable for a low FODMAP diet as it contains sugar/chocolate. Plus strawberries are only allowed in moderation on a low FODMAP diet.

Are Halloween chocolate covered strawberries healthy?

These Halloween chocolate covered strawberries are semi-healthy, as they are 70% fruit. So as long as you enjoy them in moderation, you shouldn't need to worry.

Are Halloween chocolate covered strawberries safe to eat while pregnant?

I can't see any issues with the ingredients in this recipe. So as long as you check all ingredient labels to ensure they are safe to consume during pregnancy, Halloween chocolate covered strawberries should be perfectly fine.

If you have any concerns, speak to your GP or midwife before consuming Halloween chocolate covered strawberries.

Make sure that all of your ingredients are in good condition and that you prepare this meal safely and hygienically.

A Mummy Too does not offer medical advice. Please seek help from a medical professional if you need further information or have any concerns.

Is Halloween chocolate covered strawberries suitable for babies and toddlers?

The NHS advises you shouldn't feed sugar to children under 5. So if you skip the coating and chocolate on these strawberries, they're suitable for little ones - but then it would just be a bowl of strawberries!

A Mummy Too does not give medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns please speak to a health professional.

The NHS has some fantastic resources on their website on what to feed babies and young children.

What goes well with Halloween chocolate covered strawberries?

These chocolate-covered strawberries are perfect for a Halloween party snack or dessert.

If you're looking for something to serve with them, why not try some Halloween jelly or candy corn? You could also use Halloween sprinkles to decorate them.

Can I make the Halloween chocolate covered strawberries without candy melts?

You could only use chocolate to coat your strawberries, but the coating will be more fragile and won't look as impressive. So if you can find candy melts I'd advise using them!

How should I store Halloween chocolate covered strawberries?

These Halloween chocolate covered strawberries are best served on the day they're made.

However, if you have any leftovers, they should keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. However, this depends on how bruised the strawberries are and how fresh they are.

How long will Halloween chocolate covered strawberries keep?

It's hard to give a definite length of time as it depends on how fresh the strawberries are to start with, and how well they have been stored.

In general, Halloween chocolate-covered strawberries will be kept in an airtight container for 1-2 days in the fridge. Again, this is only a rough guide, though!

Can I leave Halloween chocolate covered strawberries out on the counter?

It's not advisable to leave Halloween chocolate covered strawberries out on the counter as they contain fruit which will spoil really quickly.

Fruit can start to go off quickly at room temperature, so it's best to keep them in the fridge until you're ready to serve them.

Can I make Halloween chocolate covered strawberries ahead?

Technically, you can make Halloween chocolate covered strawberries 1-2 days in advance and store them in an airtight container in the fridge.

However, I wouldn't advise it. Chocolate covered strawberries are best served on the day they're made, as the fruit will start to go off quickly.

Can I keep Halloween chocolate covered strawberries in the refrigerator?

Yes, Halloween chocolate covered strawberries are best kept in the fridge in an airtight container. This will help them to stay fresh for 1-2 days.

Can I freeze Halloween chocolate covered strawberries?

No, you shouldn't freeze your chocolate covered strawberries. Once you freeze fruit, the texture will change and it won't be very pleasant to eat once defrosted. Plus, the candy coating will most likely crack or look messy.

Can I make these Halloween chocolate covered strawberries in a different quantity?

If you want to make more or less of this recipe, go right ahead. As long as you have enough coating to cover your strawberries, you can make as many or as few as you like!

How can I make sure my Halloween chocolate covered strawberries turn out perfectly?

This recipe is super straight forward, but here are a few tips to help you make perfect Halloween chocolate covered strawberries:

• Use fresh, firm strawberries for the best results. If your berries are starting to go off, they won't taste as good and the coating may not stick as well.
• Make sure your candy melts are completely melted before you start dipping. Otherwise, you'll end up with lumpy chocolate and it'll be difficult to get a smooth coating.
• Coat the strawberries when they're cold to help the coating cool quickly, but let the strawberries come to room temperature before serving so they're nice and sweet.
• Use a toothpick or skewer to help dip the strawberries into the chocolate. This will make it much easier and less messy.
• If you're using sprinkles, have them ready in a bowl before you start dipping. That way, you can just roll the strawberry in the sprinkles after dipping it instead of trying to sprinkle them on while the chocolate is still wet.
• Let the chocolate set completely before storing the strawberries. Otherwise, they may stick together.
• If your chocolate starts to thicken up while you're working with it, pop it back in the microwave for a few seconds to help thin it out again.

Why did the coating feel gritty or lumpy?

If your candy coating has turned out gritty, then it may be because the chocolate burned while you melted it. 

It's best to melt your chocolate in bursts in the microwave, as the recipe states, rather than leaving it for extended periods of time. This is because microwaves don't heat food evenly; they 'zap' areas to heat it up. 

So if you don't take your chocolate out and stir it, some areas may become burnt before other areas are properly melted.

Another potential cause of gritty chocolate is the way that it melted. When chocolate is melted, the cocoa powder, sugar, and cocoa butter become fluid and disperse evenly within the fluid. 

If any moisture is introduced while the chocolate is melted, the liquid and the sugar merge into a syrup. The cocoa particles cling to this syrup and create a grainy texture. 

So when you stir your melted chocolate, ensure that the spatula or spoon you use is completely dry to avoid any moisture being introduced to the chocolate.

Alternatively, it could be an issue with the candy melts. If your candy melts aren't fully melted before mixing the coating, you could end up with tiny lumps of unmelted candy melts on your strawberries.

Why did my coating not set/harden?

If your Halloween chocolate covered strawberries are not setting or hardening, it could be because there is too much moisture in the air. Chocolate can absorb moisture from the atmosphere, making it sticky.

You can try working in a dry environment or melting chocolate into your coating to fix this. This will help to create a barrier between the chocolate and the moisture in the air, preventing it from making the coating sticky.

How can I add/change the flavours in these Halloween chocolate covered strawberries?

If you want to change up the flavours in these Halloween chocolate covered strawberries, there are a few things you can do:

• Use different kinds of chocolate for the coating. You could try white chocolate, dark chocolate, or even candy melts in different colours.
• Add some flavour to the coating by stirring in a teaspoon or two of extract, such as vanilla, almond, or peppermint.
• Roll the strawberries in chopped nuts, shredded coconut, or sprinkles after dipping them in the chocolate.
• Try dipping the strawberries in a mixture of melted chocolate and cream to make a richer coating.

Where is the origin of chocolate covered strawberries?

The first chocolate covered strawberries are thought to have originated in France in the 19th century. However, it's likely that they were being made and enjoyed long before then!

In America, chocolate covered strawberries became popular in the 1950s and 1960s. They were often served at parties and special occasions like Valentine's Day and Mother's Day.

Nowadays, chocolate covered strawberries are enjoyed worldwide and are a popular treat for any occasion!

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