Valentine's Day is all about love, and nothing says "I care" like a homemade treat. Chocolate-covered Valentine strawberries are a classic romantic gift, and making them yourself adds a personal touch that store-bought ones just can’t match. The little smiley faces are just the cutest.

They're sweet, simple, and surprisingly fun to create. Whether you're surprising your Valentine or enjoying them with family, these strawberries are sure to impress.

Why You'll Love It

• A Romantic Gesture: Strawberries have long been a symbol of love. Their bright red color and heart-like shape make them a perfect match for Valentine’s Day.
• Delicious and Decadent: It’s hard to beat the combo of fresh fruit and rich chocolate. Whether you’re a fan of dark, milk, or white chocolate, each bite is a balance of sweetness, tang, and indulgence.
• Easy to Make: Making chocolate-covered strawberries is as simple as melting chocolate and dipping fruit.

Ingredients

• Strawberries
• Belgian white chocolate, dark chocolate, and milk chocolate
• Oil-based candy color for coloring chocolate in pink and red.
• Edible food marker in black
• Pink round sprinkles
• Cocktail sticks or toothpicks for dipping strawberries

How to Make Valentine Strawberries

Wash the strawberries and dry them completely. Let them sit on paper towels to remove any moisture.

Melt ½ cup of white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 20-second bursts, stirring between to avoid burning.

Mix in a few drops of red candy coloring until smooth.

Line a baking sheet with wax paper.

Mr. Valentine:

Stick a cocktail pick into the top of a strawberry. Dip it into the red chocolate, letting extra chocolate drip back into the bowl.

Place it on the lined sheet and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.

Once set, use an edible marker to draw eyes and a mouth.

Add two pink sprinkles as cheeks, attaching them with melted chocolate. Optional: Dust with gold powder.

Let the strawberry fully set.

Mrs. Valentine:

Melt ½ cup of white Belgian chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 20-second intervals, stirring until smooth.

Add a few drops of pink candy coloring and mix.

Stick a cocktail pick into the top of a strawberry. Dip it into the pink chocolate, letting excess drip back into the bowl.

Place the strawberry on the lined sheet. Add 5 white pearl sprinkles near the base to make a necklace. Adjust as needed with a cocktail pick.

Chill in the fridge until set.

Once firm, draw eyes and a mouth with an edible marker.

Add pink sprinkle cheeks with melted chocolate. Optional: Finish with gold dust.

Let the strawberry fully set.

Accent Strawberries:

Use leftover pink and red chocolate to dip more strawberries. Add sprinkles while the chocolate is still wet.

Let the strawberries set.

For a twist, melt ½ cup of dark chocolate and ½ cup of milk chocolate together. Heat in 20-second bursts, stirring until smooth.

Dip strawberries into the dark-milk chocolate mix. Once set, drizzle pink and red chocolate over them using a zip-top bag with a small corner cut.

Allow everything to set completely.

Heart-Shaped Valentine Strawberries:

Cut off the green tops.

Use a paring knife to carve a small “v” at the top, making a heart shape.

Dip the heart-shaped strawberries in leftover chocolate and decorate with sprinkles.

Once set, brush them with gold dust if you’d like.

Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Valentine Strawberries

Selecting the Right Strawberries

Start with the freshest berries you can find. Fresh strawberries mean better flavor and texture. When picking them:

• Choose bright red berries with no green or white spots. These are the ripest and sweetest.
• Look for plump and firm strawberries. Soft or mushy ones won’t hold up well when dipped.
• Select berries with fresh green leaves. Wilted or browning leaves are a sign they’re past their prime.
• Stick to similar sizes. This makes dipping and decorating easier, plus they’ll look more uniform.

Don’t wash them until just before you’re ready to use them, and make sure they’re completely dry. Water and chocolate don’t mix, so any moisture will cause the coating to seize or slide off.

Tempering Chocolate

Perfect chocolate is shiny, smooth, and snaps when you bite it. For this, tempering is key. While it sounds fancy, it’s just about getting the chocolate to the right temperature for dipping.

1. Use good-quality chocolate. Belgian chocolate works great, or go for brands with a higher cocoa content for deeper flavor.
2. Melt slowly. Heat in 20-second bursts in the microwave, stirring between each round. This prevents overheating and keeps it silky.
3. Keep stirring. Stirring as it melts helps distribute the heat evenly, preventing clumps.

If you’re skipping tempering, that’s fine too! Melted candy melts are a great alternative—and they come in lots of fun colors.

Adding Toppings

• Sprinkles: Classic, heart-shaped, or themed colors for Valentine’s Day.
• Crushed nuts: Almonds, pistachios, or hazelnuts add a nice crunch.
• Coconut flakes: Adds a tropical twist to the classic treat.
• Mini chocolate chips: Tiny bursts of extra chocolate in every bite.
• Edible decorations: Dragées, edible glitter, or gold dust for an elegant touch.

Dip the strawberries in your chosen topping immediately after coating them in chocolate. The sooner you add the topping, the better it’ll stick.

Storing Your Treats

Chocolate-covered strawberries are best enjoyed fresh, but if you’re making them ahead, proper storage is key to keeping them picture-perfect:

• Place them on a lined tray in a single layer—stacking them damages the chocolate.
• Use an airtight container lined with paper towels to absorb moisture.
• Keep them uncovered in the fridge. Covering them may trap moisture, leading to condensation.

Avoid refrigerating for more than 24 hours. The longer they sit, the more likely they’ll develop condensation or soften.

Presentation Ideas for Valentine Strawberries

Once your Valentine strawberries are ready, the next step is showing them off. Presentation transforms a simple treat into a thoughtful gift:

• Gift Boxes: Line a small box with tissue paper or doilies for a polished look.
• Cellophane Bags: Individually wrap each strawberry or bundle a few together with a ribbon.
• Plates or Platters: Arrange them in a heart shape for added Valentine’s flair.
• Mason Jars: Stack a few strawberries in clear jars for a rustic vibe. Add a handwritten tag for a personal touch.
• Cupcake Wrappers: Place each strawberry in its own wrapper to create a tidy, elegant display.

No matter how you present them, adding a personal touch—like a note or a reusable container—makes the gift extra meaningful.

Variations and Substitutions for Fun Valentine Strawberries

One of the best things about making Valentine chocolate-covered strawberries is how flexible the process can be.

Flavor Infusions

Adding flavors is like giving your chocolate a mini makeover. A few drops of natural extracts or oils can completely transform your strawberries:

• Mint extract: Offers a refreshing twist that pairs perfectly with dark chocolate.
• Orange oil: Brings a citrusy brightness to milk or dark chocolate.
• Vanilla extract: Subtle but comforting, it enhances the flavor of any type of chocolate.

Be careful not to overdo it—just a few drops can make all the difference. And remember, stick to oil-based flavorings to keep your chocolate smooth. Water-based ones can make it seize up.

Fruit Alternatives

Valentine Strawberries may steal the spotlight, but they’re not the only fruit that works! If you want to mix things up or cater to different tastes, here are some great alternatives:

• Pineapple chunks: Sweet and tangy, they’re great for a tropical kick.
• Apple slices: Their crisp texture pairs well with milk or dark chocolate.
• Bananas: Creamy and sweet, just cut them into thick slices of hearts before dipping.
• Orange segments: Juicy and refreshing, especially with dark chocolate.

When using other fruits, make sure they’re dry before dipping—any moisture can cause the chocolate to slide off.

More Treats like Valentine Strawberries

• Strawberry S'mores Ice Cream Sandwiches
• Walking Strawberry Shortcake is The Dessert Shortcut You Need
• Strawberry Donut Milkshake
• Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Pie Recipe