Simple DIY Valentine Sweet Treats

I just finished making these yummy Chocolate Covered Strawberry sweet treats for my sweetheart for Valentine's Day.  It took less than 1/2 hour to make more than a dozen.  These are so simple and taste amazing!  I admit I ate one, because someone had to test them  :)

Here is a quick tutorial on how to make them:

Ingredients:  Strawberries, Chocolate Chips, Vegetable Shortening and Sprinkles (sprinkles are optional)

A double boiler method is the best way to melt chocolate.  It keeps the chocolate from burning.  Just use two sauce pans (a smaller pan inside a larger one).  Put an inch of water in the bottom pan and put the burner on low.  The hot water underneath is what melts the chocolate... (Pictured below).  Note: Please forgive the dirty stove (hehe).

Put one bag (2 cups) of chocolate chips into the pan, then add two tablespoons of vegetable shortening.  The shortening is what makes the chocolate thin enough for dipping.  (NOTE: Never use water to thin chocolate!  It does not work and would ruin the chocolate!!!) 

Once the chocolate begins to melt, stir occasionally until mixture is fully melted.  Keep stove burner on low.  Once fully melted you may turn the burner off.  The hot water underneath is enough to keep the chocolate workable.

I use the green stem of the strawberry to hold as I dip the strawberry.  You can also use a spoon to spoon the chocolate on from the top.  Cover one side and then turn the berry around to cover the other side.

Place the chocolate covered berries on a plate covered in wax paper (once dry they will remove from the wax paper easily).  Apply the sprinkles while the chocolate is still wet (so they will stick).

Rather than cramming too many on one plate, I use multiple plates.  I guess a cookie sheet covered in wax paper would work well too (that is, if your refrigerator has room, since the next step is to put them in the fridge).

Once you are done applying the sprinkles.  Put the plate into the refrigerator, this is how the chocolate will harden.

Let them cool in the fridge for about an hour.  Then remove them from the wax paper and they are ready to serve.  Strawberries are best if eaten within two days of making.  They should be kept in the refrigerator (cool) until you are ready to serve them.

You can use just about any berry or fruit and dip it in chocolate.  I have tried bananas, raspberries, maraschino cherries, and marshmallows (okay, so marshmallows aren't a berry, but they taste amazing when covered in chocolate.  So so yummy!