Chocolate Covered Strawberry Turkeys are a delightful and whimsical treat perfect for adding a festive touch to any occasion, especially Thanksgiving or a fun fall gathering. This incredibly easy recipe not only turns a simple fruit into an adorable dessert but also offers a healthier, homemade alternative to store-bought candies, ensuring you get the freshest, most delicious flavor.
Key Ingredients for Chocolate Covered Strawberry Turkeys
- 1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled and patted completely dry
- 12 ounces good quality semi-sweet chocolate chips (or milk chocolate, depending on preference)
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil or vegetable shortening (optional, for a smoother melt)
- 1/2 cup white candy melts or white chocolate chips
- Black edible food-grade marker or small edible black candies (for eyes)
- Orange edible food-grade marker or small orange candies (for beak)
- Optional: A few red or brown candy melts for decorative accents
How to Make Chocolate Covered Strawberry Turkeys
Get ready to create the most charming and surprisingly simple Chocolate Covered Strawberry Turkeys you’ve ever seen! This recipe is a guaranteed hit because of its effortless assembly, incredible chocolatey flavor, and the sheer joy it brings. With a preparation time of just 30 minutes, you can whip up a batch of these adorable turkeys in no time, making them perfect for last-minute gatherings or a fun family activity.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Strawberries: Ensure your strawberries are thoroughly washed and completely dry. Any moisture will prevent the chocolate from adhering properly. Leave the green tops (stems) on as they will serve as the “body” of your turkey.
- Melt the Chocolate: In a microwave-safe bowl or a double boiler, melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips. If microwaving, heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each until smooth. Add the coconut oil or shortening if using, stirring until fully incorporated for a glossier finish.
- Dip the Strawberries: Hold each strawberry by its green top and dip it into the melted semi-sweet chocolate, coating about two-thirds of the berry. Allow excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl.
- Chill and Set: Place the chocolate-covered strawberries on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Let them sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes to begin setting, or place them in the refrigerator for about 5-10 minutes until the chocolate is firm to the touch.
- Create the Turkey Features: While the darker chocolate sets, melt the white candy melts or white chocolate chips in a separate microwave-safe bowl, following the same method as the semi-sweet chocolate.
- Add the White Base: Once the dark chocolate is set, dip the tip (the pointed end) of each strawberry into the melted white chocolate, coating about one-third of the berry. This will form the “face” of your turkey. Return to the parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Decorate the Faces: Immediately, or after the white chocolate has firmed slightly, use the black edible food-grade marker to draw two eyes on the white chocolate section. For the beak, use the orange edible food-grade marker to draw a small beak below the eyes. Alternatively, you can use tiny edible black candies for eyes and a small piece of an orange candy for the beak. If the white chocolate has fully set, you may need to dab a tiny bit of melted white chocolate to help the candies adhere.
- Optional Festive Accents: If you’d like to add extra flair, you can melt a few red or brown candy melts and drizzle them over the brown chocolate portion of the strawberries for a feather-like effect, or add small dots for texture.
- Final Setting: Allow all the chocolate to set completely at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Once fully hardened, your Chocolate Covered Strawberry Turkeys are ready to be admired and enjoyed!
Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Covered Strawberry Turkeys
You’ll absolutely adore these Chocolate Covered Strawberry Turkeys because they are a universally loved treat that can be made in a snap. The combination of fresh, juicy strawberries enrobed in rich chocolate is a classic for a reason, delivering a burst of fruity sweetness and decadent indulgence with every bite. Unlike elaborate dessert recipes, these embody simplicity and affordability, allowing you to create a stunning presentation without breaking the bank.
These edible masterpieces offer a charming and healthier alternative to sugary candies, making them perfect for conscious consumers and fun family bonding. The visual appeal is undeniable, transforming ordinary strawberries into adorable, festive characters that will delight both kids and adults, just like the comforting nostalgia of classic chocolate-covered strawberries but with a unique, playful twist. So, gather your ingredients and get ready to bring these delightful Chocolate Covered Strawberry Turkeys to life – your taste buds and your guests will thank you!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Storing:
- Refrigeration is Key: Chocolate-covered strawberries, especially these Chocolate Covered Strawberry Turkeys, are best stored in a single layer in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Prevent Sticking: Place parchment paper or wax paper between layers if you need to stack them, although avoiding stacking is ideal for maintaining their shape and decorations.
- Freshness Window: Properly stored, your Chocolate Covered Strawberry Turkeys will stay fresh for approximately 2-3 days. Beyond this, the strawberries may begin to weep moisture, affecting the chocolate coating.
Reheating:
- Not Recommended: Chocolate-covered strawberries are not meant to be reheated in the traditional sense. Heating them will cause the chocolate to melt and become a greasy mess, and the strawberries will become mushy.
- Enjoy Chilled: The beauty of these Chocolate Covered Strawberry Turkeys is their enjoyment at a cool, refreshing temperature, straight from the refrigerator.
Freezing for Future:
- Not Ideal: Freezing chocolate-covered strawberries is generally not recommended as the texture of the strawberry can become watery and mushy upon thawing, and the chocolate coating may crack or bloom.
- If You Must: If you absolutely need to freeze them for a very short period (a few days), ensure they are completely set and very firm. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. Thaw them slowly in the refrigerator. Be prepared for a compromised texture.
Final Thoughts
These Chocolate Covered Strawberry Turkeys are a simple yet incredibly impactful way to bring smiles and festive cheer to any table. They showcase how easy and rewarding it is to create charming homemade treats, so don’t hesitate to give them a try!
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Turkeys
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Ensure your strawberries are thoroughly washed and completely dry. Any moisture will prevent the chocolate from adhering properly. Leave the green tops (stems) on as they will serve as the “body” of your turkey.1 pound fresh strawberries
- In a microwave-safe bowl or a double boiler, melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips. If microwaving, heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each until smooth. Add the coconut oil or shortening if using, stirring until fully incorporated for a glossier finish.12 ounces good quality semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1 tablespoon coconut oil or vegetable shortening
- Hold each strawberry by its green top and dip it into the melted semi-sweet chocolate, coating about two-thirds of the berry. Allow excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl.1 pound fresh strawberries, 12 ounces good quality semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Place the chocolate-covered strawberries on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Let them sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes to begin setting, or place them in the refrigerator for about 5-10 minutes until the chocolate is firm to the touch.
- While the darker chocolate sets, melt the white candy melts or white chocolate chips in a separate microwave-safe bowl, following the same method as the semi-sweet chocolate.1/2 cup white candy melts or white chocolate chips, 12 ounces good quality semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Once the dark chocolate is set, dip the tip (the pointed end) of each strawberry into the melted white chocolate, coating about one-third of the berry. This will form the “face” of your turkey. Return to the parchment-lined baking sheet.1/2 cup white candy melts or white chocolate chips, 1 pound fresh strawberries
- Immediately, or after the white chocolate has firmed slightly, use the black edible food-grade marker to draw two eyes on the white chocolate section. For the beak, use the orange edible food-grade marker to draw a small beak below the eyes. Alternatively, you can use tiny edible black candies for eyes and a small piece of an orange candy for the beak. If the white chocolate has fully set, you may need to dab a tiny bit of melted white chocolate to help the candies adhere.Black edible food-grade marker or small edible black candies, Orange edible food-grade marker or small orange candies, 1/2 cup white candy melts or white chocolate chips
- If you’d like to add extra flair, you can melt a few red or brown candy melts and drizzle them over the brown chocolate portion of the strawberries for a feather-like effect, or add small dots for texture.Red or brown candy melts, 12 ounces good quality semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Allow all the chocolate to set completely at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Once fully hardened, your Chocolate Covered Strawberry Turkeys are ready to be admired and enjoyed!