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These aren’t your average chocolate covered strawberries—I spent hours testing eight different types of chocolate to find the perfect one for dipping. I took detailed notes on everything from melt time and smoothness to flavor, shine, drying time, and cost. The result? Chocolate-dipped strawberries so impressive your friends and family will think you ordered them from a luxury dessert company.
Whether you want rich flavor, a quick-drying option, a bright white finish, or the most budget-friendly chocolate, I’ve tested them all so you don’t have to. Let’s make the BEST chocolate covered strawberries—without the guesswork.
These Dipped Strawberries are perfect for every occasion!
You don’t need a special occasion like Valentine’s Day to enjoy the simple luxury of chocolate-covered strawberries.
There’s something irresistible about the contrast of juicy, fresh berries dipped in smooth, decadent chocolate and chilled to perfection.
But these aren’t just any chocolate-covered strawberries—I spent hours in the kitchen testing eight different types of chocolate, including Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate Flavored Melting Wafers, Ghirardelli Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips, Ghirardelli White Chocolate Chips, Baker’s Semi-Sweet Chocolate Bar, Ghirardelli White Chocolate Bar, Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Flavored Melting Wafers, Chocolate Almond Bark (Walmart brand), and White Chocolate Almond Bark (Walmart brand).
I made detailed notes on each one, evaluating everything from how quickly it melted and how smooth it was for dipping, to its flavor, shine, drying time, and cost.
The goal? To create a recipe that delivers truly impressive, gourmet-style results at home.
With just 4 ingredients and my foolproof step-by-step method, you’ll have stunning strawberries in about 30 minutes. Follow along and use my tested tips to make chocolate-covered strawberries so good, your friends and family will think you had them delivered from a high-end dessert shop.
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Ingredients
These easy chocolate covered strawberries only require 4 basic ingredients. Keep reading to get the full recipe with measurements and more tips!
- Strawberries
- Semi-sweet chocolate: baking bar or chips – keep reading to discover which chocolate I think is best!
- White chocolate: baking bar or chips
- Coconut oil or another neutral oil
What is the Best Chocolate for Chocolate Covered Strawberries?
I tested 8 different types of chocolate to help you figure out which one to use!
While testing the chocolate, I made detailed notes about how long the chocolate took to melt, the taste, appearance, consistency for dipping, the time it took to dry, the price, and more.
While strawberries are amazing dipped in any delicious chocolate, the below guide will help you elevate your chocolate-covered strawberries! Here are my observations about the chocolate coating:
Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate Flavored Melting Wafers
- Time to melt: 60 seconds
- Taste: Chocolate flavor wasn’t very pronounced. Tasted more sweet than chocolatey.
- Dipping consistency: Smooth, easy to melt
- Overall appearance: Matte, light brown
- Drying time: Quick dry, within minutes
- Price: .49 cents/oz
- Additional Notes: Quickest to dry, super easy dip.
Ghirardelli Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
- Time to melt: 90 seconds
- Taste: Deep, rich chocolate flavor
- Dipping consistency: Thick
- Overall appearance: Shiny
- Drying time: Slow, a few hours to dry
- Price: .34 cents/oz
- Additional Notes: Best for baking, not a great fruit dipper.
Ghirardelli White Chocolate Chips
- Time to melt: 60 seconds
- Taste: Not overly sweet, good rich flavor
- Dipping consistency: Medium thickness but still easy to dip
- Overall appearance: Off-white
- Drying time: Quick-dry
- Price: .38 cents/oz
- Additional Notes: Probably the best white chocolate option in terms of taste and dry time.
Baker’s Semi-Sweet Chocolate Bar
- Time to melt: 90 seconds
- Taste: Deep, rich chocolate flavor
- Dipping consistency: Medium thickness but still easy to dip
- Overall appearance: Shiny
- Drying time: Slow dry, a few hours to dry
- Price: .62 cents/oz
- Additional Notes: Had good consistency for dipping.
Ghirardelli White Chocolate Bar
- Time to melt: 60 seconds
- Taste: Not overly sweet, good rich flavor
- Dipping consistency: Medium thickness but still easy to dip
- Overall appearance: Off-white
- Drying time: Slow dry, a few hours to dry
- Price: .72 cents/oz
- Additional Notes: Good taste, more expensive and slower dry time.
Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Flavored Melting Wafers
- Time to melt: 60 seconds
- Taste: Not bitter like normal dark chocolate, way better chocolate flavor than the Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate Flavored Melting Wafers
- Dipping consistency: easy to melt, smooth
- Overall appearance: Matte
- Drying time: Quick dry
- Price: .49 cents/oz
- Additional Notes: Wasn’t bitter like normal dark chocolate! Not super dark either.
Chocolate Almond Bark (Walmart brand)
- Time to melt: 60 seconds
- Taste: Tasted more sweet than chocolatey
- Dipping consistency: Easy to melt, smooth
- Overall appearance: Matte
- Drying time: Quick dry
- Price: .15 cents/oz
- Additional Notes: Makes a great drizzle!
White Chocolate Almond Bark (Walmart brand)
- Time to melt: 60 seconds
- Taste: Tasted more sweet than chocolatey
- Dipping consistency: Easy to melt, smooth
- Overall appearance: Pure white, whitest of all
- Drying time: Quick dry
- Price: .15 cents/oz
- Additional Notes: Makes a great drizzle!
Which chocolate should I use for chocolate dipped strawberries?
Ultimately, the type of chocolate to use will depend on your personal preference. That being said..
- If you are looking for a rich, deep chocolate flavor and you’re okay with waiting for them to dry, use Ghirardelli or Baker’s Semi-Sweet Chocolate Bar.
- If you want middle-of-the-road chocolate with a quick dry time, I recommend Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Flavored Melting Wafers.
- If you want the most cost-effective option, use Chocolate Almond Bark or White Chocolate Almond Bark.
- If you want a pure white color, use Walmart Brand White Chocolate Almond Bark.
- The chocolate chips were my least favorite because the mixture was very thick, even after adding additional oil.
The picture above of the strawberries numbered on the white board was taken about 30+ minutes after dipping all of them and you can clearly tell the ones that take the longest to set as they are still shiny.
How to Make the Best Chocolate Covered Strawberries
When you follow my step-by-step guide, you’ll be amazed at how easy making gorgeous strawberries dipped in chocolate can be! Keep reading to get my pro tips and the full recipe with measurements and ingredients in the recipe card below:
- Fill a bowl with warm water, add the strawberries and gently swish them together to clean them. Drain the water and thoroughly dry each strawberry. Allow them to dry air for 30 minutes. They must be completely dry or the chocolate will not stick.
- To melt the chocolate, use a microwave-safe bowl and heat it in 20 second increments, stirring in between each interval. Usually, it takes about 3-4 intervals. Once you see smaller pieces remaining, stop microwaving and use a spoon to stir, as the residual heat will melt the chocolate.
- Once fully melted, stir ½ teaspoon of oil into each type of chocolate. This will help you achieve the perfect consistency for dipping, give the chocolate a glossy finish, and allow the chocolate to have a softer texture versus a hard crack when you bite it.
- Line a baking sheet with wax paper, parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Hold the strawberry by the stem and dip into the chocolate. Then gently scrape the excess chocolate off the bottom of the strawberry, using the lip of the bowl. Place on the lined tray.
- Optional: drizzle the strawberries with chocolate, milk chocolate or white chocolate. Place a small amount of chocolate into a piping bag or sandwich bag. Cut a small hole in one corner, then carefully drizzle the chocolate over the strawberries.
- Allow the strawberries to sit at room temperature until the chocolate fully sets. Remove from the tray and plate.
Best Chocolate Dipped Strawberries Variations
You can add a variety of toppings to chocolate dipped strawberries if you choose. Some popular topping include:
- Sprinkles
- Finely crushed pistachios
- Finely crushed almonds
- Finely crushed peppermint
- Any of your favorite candy, finely crushed
- Mini chocolate chips
Make Best Chocolate Covered Strawberries in Advance
Chocolate covered strawberries are best enjoyed fresh, ideally within 24 hours of making them. The longer they are stored, the higher the chance of the strawberries becoming less fresh and the chocolate losing its texture and flavor due to condensation.
The best way to store chocolate-covered strawberries is at room temperature, so if you make them in advance, keep them on the counter for about one day. Room temperature strawberries won’t produce as much condensation, keeping their texture intact.
Tips for Best Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
You don’t need to rely on strawberry delivery from Edible Arrangements because these are even better and can be made any time you want them! Follow these tips for the best strawberries dipped in chocolate!
- Use fresh strawberries: Using firm, ripe, juicy strawberries with fresh green leaves with red all the way up to the stem will make the best, and most visually pleasing, chocolate strawberries.
- Use dry, room temp strawberries: Be sure to allow time to let your strawberries come to room temp and ensure they are thoroughly dried to reduce condensation and allow chocolate to set.
- Use high quality chocolate: Use the guide above to help you choose the perfect chocolate for easy dipping and a final result that rivals any store-bought chocolate strawberries.
How to Get the Right Consistency for Chocolate Covered Strawberries
To thin your chocolate to the perfect consistency, add coconut oil (or any other neutral oil) in small amounts until you reach the desired consistency. Be sure to add in small amounts little by little, because if you add too much it will prevent the chocolate from setting properly.
How to Serve Perfect Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Chocolate covered strawberries are perfect for a special occasion like a wedding, party, or holiday gathering because they are such an elegant dessert. However, this is one of my favorite treats to enjoy any time you get the craving or just want to provide a special treat for your family!
Some other ideas for serving chocolate dipped strawberries include:
- Dress up other desserts: Decorate the base and/or the top of chocolate cake.
- Decorate a dessert bar: Arrange individual dipped strawberries around a dessert bar for tasty, edible decor.
- Chocolate strawberry pops: Add strawberries to a wooden skewer for chocolate dipped strawberry pops that can either be a handheld treat or stuck into many other desserts as a tasty decoration.
How to Store Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Chocolate covered strawberries are best stored at room temperature. You can keep them on the counter for about one day.
If you want to keep your chocolate covered strawberries for more than a day, you should refrigerate them. However, refrigeration might cause them to sweat a bit. To reduce sweating, put a couple of paper towels at the bottom of an airtight container and place the strawberries on top of the paper towels. If you need to store multiple layers of strawberries, use wax paper or parchment paper between the layers to prevent sticking.
Chocolate covered strawberries last at room temperature for about 24 hours. When refrigerated, they can last about 48 hours.
Best Chocolate Covered Strawberries Recipe FAQs
Melted chocolate may not stick to strawberries due to moisture on the strawberries’ surface. Ensure the strawberries are thoroughly dried before dipping them in chocolate. Additionally, the chocolate’s temperature is essential; if it’s too hot or too cold, it may not adhere properly.
To dry strawberries after dipping them in chocolate, simply let the excess chocolate drizzle off, and then place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet or a sheet pan lined with a silicone baking mat or wax paper. Leave the strawberries until the chocolate has hardened.
Both the fresh berries and the chocolate contain water, and when they undergo temperature changes (like being removed from the refrigerator and coming to room temp) the moisture is brought out. For best results, before you dip strawberries you should let them come to room temp first, and make sure they are completely dry before dipping.
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Best Chocolate Covered Strawberries Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound strawberries, 16 oz
- 8 oz semi-sweet chocolate, *read notes, baking bar or chips, equal to 1 cup
- 8 oz white chocolate, *read notes, baking bar or chips, equal to 1 cup
- ½ tsp coconut oil or another neutral oil, for each type of chocolate you melt
Instructions
- Fill a bowl with warm water, add the strawberries and gently swish them together to clean them. Drain the water and thoroughly dry each strawberry. Allow them to dry air for 30 minutes. They must be completely dry or the chocolate will not stick.
- To melt the chocolate, use a microwave-safe bowl and heat it in 20 second increments, stirring in between each interval. Usually, it takes about 3-4 intervals. Once you see smaller pieces remaining, stop microwaving and use a spoon to stir, as the residual heat will melt the chocolate.
- Once fully melted, stir ½ teaspoon of oil into each type of chocolate. This will help you achieve the perfect consistency for dipping, give the chocolate a glossy finish, and allow the chocolate to have a softer texture versus a hard crack when you bite it.
- Line a baking sheet with wax paper, parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Hold the strawberry by the stem and dip into the chocolate. Then gently scrape the excess chocolate off the bottom of the strawberry, using the lip of the bowl. Place on the lined tray.
- Optional: drizzle the strawberries with chocolate, milk chocolate or white chocolate. Place a small amount of chocolate into a piping bag or sandwich bag. Cut a small hole in one corner, then carefully drizzle the chocolate over the strawberries.
- Allow the strawberries to sit at room temperature until the chocolate fully sets. Remove from the tray and plate.
Notes
What is the Best Chocolate for Chocolate Covered Strawberries?
For the full details on the 8 chocolates I tested, read the blog post. Final Conclusions Ultimately, the type of chocolate to use will depend on your personal preference.- That being said, if you are looking for a rich, deep chocolate flavor and you’re okay with waiting for them to dry, use Ghirardelli or Baker’s Semi-Sweet Chocolate Bar.
- If you want middle-of-the-road chocolate with a quick dry time, I recommend Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Flavored Melting Wafers.
- If you want the most cost-effective option, use Chocolate Almond Bark or White Chocolate Almond Bark.
- If you want a pure white color, use Walmart Brand White Chocolate Almond Bark.
- The chocolate chips were my least favorite because the mixture was very thick, even after adding additional oil.
Thank you for your insight! I will definitely take these in consideration when choosing the right chocolate.