Easy Thanksgiving Chocolate Covered Strawberry Turkeys are a charming and delightful way to add a festive touch to your holiday table, offering a simple yet impressive treat that’s perfect for all ages and a fun alternative to traditional desserts.
Key Ingredients for Easy Thanksgiving Chocolate Covered Strawberry Turkeys
- 1 pound fresh strawberries, washed and thoroughly dried
- 12 ounces semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips (or a combination for variety)
- 1 ounce white chocolate (for decorating details)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening or coconut oil
- Candy corn, for turkey beaks
- Orange candy melts, for turkey wattle (optional)
- Small edible candy eyes or black decorating gel, for turkey eyes
How to Make Easy Thanksgiving Chocolate Covered Strawberry Turkeys
Get ready for a delightful and incredibly simple dessert that’s almost as fun to make as it is to eat! These easy Thanksgiving chocolate covered strawberry turkeys are a playful twist on classic chocolate-covered strawberries, transforming them into adorable edible centerpieces. With minimal prep and just a few key ingredients, you’ll whip up a batch of these whimsical treats in no time. Imagine the smiles on your guests’ faces as they discover these sweet little turkeys ready to be devoured! This recipe is perfect for Thanksgiving day when you need a quick, crowd-pleasing dessert, or as a charming addition to any fall gathering. The entire process, including melting chocolate and decorating, takes approximately 30-40 minutes, making it an excellent last-minute solution.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare Your Workstation: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or wax paper. This will prevent the chocolate-covered strawberries from sticking once they’ve set. Have all your decorating elements – candy corn, orange candy melts (if using), edible candy eyes, and black decorating gel – readily accessible.
- Melt the Chocolate: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips with the vegetable shortening or coconut oil. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring well after each interval, until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth. Be careful not to overheat the chocolate, as this can cause it to seize. Alternatively, you can melt the chocolate using a double boiler method over simmering water.
- Dip the Strawberries: Hold each strawberry by its green leafy top and dip it into the melted chocolate, swirling gently to coat about two-thirds of the strawberry. Allow any excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl. For a more festive turkey look, you can dip them to create the “body” of the turkey.
- Place on Parchment: Carefully place the chocolate-covered strawberries onto the prepared baking sheet. Repeat this process for all the strawberries.
- Create the Turkey Features:
- Beak: While the chocolate is still wet, insert a candy corn into the pointed end of the strawberry to form the turkey’s beak.
- Wattle (Optional): If using orange candy melts, melt them according to package directions (similar to the chocolate). Once melted, you can use a toothpick or a small piping bag to create a small wattle shape hanging from the beak area of some turkeys.
- Eyes: Gently press two edible candy eyes onto the strawberry, just above the beak. If you don’t have candy eyes, you can use a toothpick dipped in a tiny amount of melted white chocolate or black decorating gel to draw two eye dots.
- Melt White Chocolate (for detailing): If you plan to add any extra white chocolate detailing, melt the white chocolate chips and shortening in a separate microwave-safe bowl using the same method as for the semi-sweet chocolate.
- Add White Chocolate Details (Optional): Once the main chocolate coating has firmed up slightly but is not completely hard, you can use a piping bag with a fine tip or a toothpick to add white chocolate details, such as swirls on the turkey’s “body” or extra accents.
- Chill to Set: Once all the turkeys are decorated, place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for at least 15-20 minutes, or until the chocolate has completely set and hardened.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Thanksgiving Chocolate Covered Strawberry Turkeys
You’ll absolutely adore these easy Thanksgiving chocolate covered strawberry turkeys for their sheer cuteness and the delightful burst of fresh, juicy strawberry against rich, smooth chocolate. They’re a refreshing change of pace from heavier holiday desserts, offering a lighter yet equally festive option that’s incredibly satisfying. Plus, making these at home is a fantastic way to save money compared to buying pre-made themed treats, allowing you to create a personalized touch without breaking the bank. The use of classic candy corn for the beak adds a playful, nostalgic element that everyone recognizes and enjoys.
Compared to a traditional fruit tart or pie, these chocolate-covered delights bring a whimsical, edible art form to your Thanksgiving spread, igniting joy with every bite. They’re a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults, adding a touch of fun and festivity to any holiday gathering. So why not give these delightful easy Thanksgiving chocolate covered strawberry turkeys a try this year? Your guests (and your taste buds!) will thank you!
Storing and Reheating Tips
To ensure your adorable easy Thanksgiving chocolate covered strawberry turkeys remain fresh and delicious, proper storage is key. Store them in a single layer in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Placing them in a single layer helps prevent the chocolate from smudging or sticking to other strawberries. They will stay fresh and visually appealing in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Avoid stacking them on top of each other, as this can damage the delicate chocolate coating and decorations.
For longer storage, you can freeze them. Place the fully set chocolate-covered strawberries on a baking sheet in the freezer until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 1 month. Do not attempt to “reheat” them in the traditional sense, as this will melt the chocolate. If frozen, thaw them gently in the refrigerator before serving. The texture of fresh strawberries can change slightly after freezing and thawing, but they will still be a delightful treat.
Final Thoughts
These easy Thanksgiving chocolate covered strawberry turkeys offer a wonderful combination of festive fun and delicious simplicity, making them a perfect addition to any holiday celebration. Encourage everyone to try this delightful recipe for a sweet and memorable Thanksgiving treat!
Easy Thanksgiving Chocolate Covered Strawberry Turkeys
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or wax paper. Have all your decorating elements – candy corn, orange candy melts (if using), edible candy eyes, and black decorating gel – readily accessible.candy corn, orange candy melts, small edible candy eyes or black decorating gel
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips with the vegetable shortening or coconut oil. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring well after each interval, until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth. Be careful not to overheat the chocolate, as this can cause it to seize. Alternatively, you can melt the chocolate using a double boiler method over simmering water.12 ounces semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips, 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening or coconut oil
- Hold each strawberry by its green leafy top and dip it into the melted chocolate, swirling gently to coat about two-thirds of the strawberry. Allow any excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl. For a more festive turkey look, you can dip them to create the “body” of the turkey.1 pound fresh strawberries
- Carefully place the chocolate-covered strawberries onto the prepared baking sheet. Repeat this process for all the strawberries.1 pound fresh strawberries
- Beak: While the chocolate is still wet, insert a candy corn into the pointed end of the strawberry to form the turkey’s beak.candy corn
- Wattle (Optional): If using orange candy melts, melt them according to package directions (similar to the chocolate). Once melted, you can use a toothpick or a small piping bag to create a small wattle shape hanging from the beak area of some turkeys.orange candy melts
- Eyes: Gently press two edible candy eyes onto the strawberry, just above the beak. If you don’t have candy eyes, you can use a toothpick dipped in a tiny amount of melted white chocolate or black decorating gel to draw two eye dots.small edible candy eyes or black decorating gel, 1 ounce white chocolate
- If you plan to add any extra white chocolate detailing, melt the white chocolate chips and shortening in a separate microwave-safe bowl using the same method as for the semi-sweet chocolate.1 ounce white chocolate, 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening or coconut oil
- Once the main chocolate coating has firmed up slightly but is not completely hard, you can use a piping bag with a fine tip or a toothpick to add white chocolate details, such as swirls on the turkey’s “body” or extra accents.1 ounce white chocolate
- Once all the turkeys are decorated, place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for at least 15-20 minutes, or until the chocolate has completely set and hardened.