Pin it I made these on a whim one Saturday afternoon when my sister called to say she was bringing friends over in an hour. I had strawberries that needed using and a bar of dark chocolate in the pantry. Twenty minutes later, I had a platter that looked like I'd planned it for days. The combination of cold fruit and snappy chocolate felt effortless, and everyone assumed I'd spent far longer than I actually had.
The first time I served these at a dinner party, a guest asked if I'd ordered them from a bakery. I laughed and pointed to the bowl and spoon still sitting in the sink. There's something satisfying about a recipe that delivers more elegance than effort, especially when you're juggling multiple dishes and trying to keep your kitchen from looking like a disaster zone.
Ingredients
- Fresh strawberries: They need to be completely dry or the chocolate will slide right off, so I always pat them down with paper towels even if they look dry.
- Dark chocolate: I use something between 60 and 70 percent cocoa because it balances sweetness with depth, but you can go milk or white if that's what you prefer.
- Coconut oil: Just a teaspoon makes the chocolate smoother and easier to dip, plus it gives the coating a slight sheen once it sets.
- Chopped pistachios: Optional, but the green flecks add color and a little crunch that feels fancy.
- Shredded coconut: Another optional topping that sticks beautifully to wet chocolate and adds texture.
- White chocolate: I melt a small amount for drizzling, mostly because it makes the skewers look bakery-level polished.
Instructions
- Prep the strawberries:
- Wash them well, then dry each one completely with a towel. Any moisture will cause the chocolate to seize or bead up instead of coating smoothly.
- Skewer them:
- Slide three strawberries onto each skewer, leaving a little space at the bottom for holding. I use wooden skewers because they feel more natural than plastic.
- Melt the chocolate:
- Chop the dark chocolate and add it to a heatproof bowl with the coconut oil, then set it over a pan of barely simmering water. Stir gently until it's smooth and glossy.
- Dip the skewers:
- Hold each skewer by the bottom and dip the strawberries into the chocolate, tilting the bowl if needed to get good coverage. Let the excess drip back into the bowl before placing the skewer on a parchment-lined tray.
- Add toppings:
- While the chocolate is still wet, sprinkle on pistachios or coconut. If you wait too long, they won't stick.
- Drizzle white chocolate:
- Melt a small amount of white chocolate and use a spoon to drizzle thin lines over the skewers. It doesn't have to be perfect, the imperfection looks homemade in a good way.
- Chill and serve:
- Refrigerate for about 15 minutes until the chocolate hardens. Serve them cold or let them come to room temperature for a softer bite.
Pin it One Valentine's Day, I made a batch of these and arranged them in a shallow box lined with tissue paper. My partner opened it in the car on the way to dinner and we ended up eating half of them before we even got to the restaurant. It became our tradition after that, skipping fancy dessert menus in favor of something I could make at home that felt just as special.
Chocolate Choices
Dark chocolate gives you that bittersweet edge that plays well against the natural sugar in strawberries, but I've used milk chocolate when making these for kids and white chocolate when I want something sweeter and creamier. The coconut oil trick works with all of them, so pick whatever you're in the mood for.
Make Ahead Tips
These hold up well in the fridge for up to four hours, which makes them great for parties where you want to prep in advance. Just keep them on the tray covered loosely with plastic wrap, and pull them out about ten minutes before serving if you want the chocolate to soften slightly.
Serving and Storage
I usually arrange them on a white platter or in a shallow bowl lined with parchment. They look clean and modern that way. If you have leftovers, store them in a single layer in an airtight container in the fridge, though the strawberries will start to release moisture after a day or so.
- Use ripe but firm strawberries so they don't get mushy after chilling.
- If you're making these for a crowd, double the batch and use a deeper bowl for easier dipping.
- Wooden skewers are reusable if you wash and dry them right away, just another small way to cut down on waste.
Pin it These skewers remind me that not every dessert needs to be complicated to feel celebratory. Sometimes the best things are the ones you can throw together quickly and still feel proud to share.
Common Questions
- → How do I ensure chocolate sticks well to the strawberries?
Make sure strawberries are completely dry before dipping to allow the chocolate to adhere smoothly and evenly.
- → Can I use different types of chocolate?
Yes, you can substitute dark chocolate with milk or white chocolate depending on your preference.
- → What optional garnishes work best on the chocolate coating?
Chopped pistachios, shredded coconut, or a drizzle of melted white chocolate all add lovely texture and flavor.
- → Is it possible to prepare the skewers in advance?
Yes, you can prepare them up to 4 hours ahead and keep refrigerated to maintain freshness.
- → Are these skewers suitable for vegetarian diets?
Yes, using vegetarian-friendly chocolate ensures the skewers are suitable for vegetarian diets.