How To Melt Chocolate for Strawberries

Chocolate-covered strawberries are quite possibly one of the most romantic desserts. Best of all, they couldn't be any easier to prepare. After washing the strawberries, you dip them in melted chocolate and place them on wax paper until the chocolate sets. If you've never melted chocolate though, you may be a bit stumped. Once you learn this technique, you'll be using it to dip all sorts of fruit, candy, cookies and even pretzels.

Things You'll Need

• Double boiler
• Water
• 12-oz. bag of chocolate chips per pound of strawberries

Instructions

1. Prepare a double boiler. If you have a double boiler, all you need to do is fill the bottom pot with water. Make sure the water doesn't touch the bottom of the top pot, though. If you don't have a double boiler, you can use a regular pot and a stainless steel or glass bowl. Make sure the bowl barely fits into the pot or it will be too close to the water.

2. Pour a bag of chocolate chips into the top of the double boiler. Any type of chocolate chips can be used. A 12-oz. bag is enough to cover 1 lb. of strawberries.

3. Bring the water to a bare simmer. It's important not to boil the water or the chocolate will scorch. Once the chocolate scorches, it cannot be saved. Once the water begins to simmer, make sure once more that the water isn't touching the top pot/bowl. If it is, pour out some water or you will risk scorching the chocolate.

4. Stir the chocolate so that it melts evenly. Stirring the chocolate ensures that the chips that haven't melted get the heat they need. If you just let the chocolate sit there, part of it will scorch. Stirring the chocolate will also help the chocolate melt faster.

Tips & Warnings

• Melt two types of chocolate to create doubled-dipped strawberries. Add 1 tbsp. of shortening per 12 oz. of chocolate chips before melting if you want a softer coating.

• When using a homemade double boiler, be sure to use a pot holder to handle the bowl. Do not get water into the chocolate or it will be ruined.