Velvet Ribbon Baskets

Strawberries dipped in chocolate are the epitome of romance and luxury. Chocolate dipped strawberries are a classic hit popular with everyone. If you want to give a gift with real impact that combines the heavenly pairing of luscious ripe fruit and velvety chocolate, then chocolate dipped strawberries will exceed your highest expectations. The good news is there are so many options for you to choose from. The simple, classic combination of strawberries and milk chocolate is always a winner, but nowadays a bounty of mouthwatering and visually stunning combinations are readily available. Here are few ideas to help you find the perfect chocolate dipped strawberry gift.

Selecting your Chocolate
Not only is milk chocolate a wise option, but white chocolate and dark chocolate are also good bets. You can even find combinations of one, two, or all three chocolates. The subtle differences in flavor are really amazing, and the visual contrast in the shades of dark, milk and white chocolates are stunning against the bright red of the strawberry. You can even find chocolate dipped strawberries that look like they’re wearing a tuxedo! The strawberry is first dipped in a “shirt” of white chocolate that is surrounded by a “tuxedo jacket” of dark chocolate. Little buttons of chocolate dot the white chocolate shirt for an artistic and refined effect. So nice.

Toppings, drizzles, and dots – the finishing effects
For even more variety and flair, you also can choose from all kinds of toppings to complete your chocolate dipped strawberries. Here are just a few of the many options: crushed or powdered nuts; light brown cocoa powder; powdered sugar; sprinkles in either a single color or a rainbow of colors; miniature milk, dark or white chocolate chips; swizzles and drizzles of either colorful icing or white, milk or dark chocolate. You can also find a combination of any of these options. Think strawberry dipped in white and milk chocolate, drizzled in dark chocolate, and topped with blue candy sprinkles. Another popular choice for the real chocolate lover is a chocolate dipped strawberry rolled in tiny milk chocolate chips.

Strawberry Presentation
As with so many things, presentation is a key element to your gift of chocolate dipped strawberries. Fortunately you have many options for presentation as well. Boxes of all varieties are always excellent choices. Try tucking rows of chocolate dipped strawberries, nestled in miniature cupcake liners, into a red silk box with a visually-stunning red bow. Elegant and refined! Another fun idea is a chocolate dipped strawberry bouquet, in which the berry confections are mounted on candy sticks and arranged bouquet- style in an attractive base or container. Another fun twist for a party or gathering is to have guests dip strawberries into a decadent pot of chocolate fondue. Prepare the strawberries by washing them well and placing them on long handled skewers. Arrange the skewers around a fondue pot of melted chocolate and let the fun begin! Another really special idea is to present chocolate dipped strawberries in a personalized container. You can have the recipient’s name or even a special personal message stamped on the container for a truly meaningful touch.

Homemade chocolate dipped strawberries
Making your own is simple and fun – a gift the recipient will know came straight from the heart! Line a cookie sheet with waxed paper. Wash and dry one pound (about twenty) strawberries. Melt six ounces of semisweet chocolate, melt 3 ounces of white chocolate. Hold the strawberry by the stem and dip it into the dark chocolate, twisting slightly. Place on the prepared cookie sheet. Repeat with the rest of the strawberries. Dip a fork into the white chocolate and drizzle over the strawberries. Let the strawberries set for thirty minutes before placing in a gift container. Fun and special!