Just in the nick of time, I ended up thinking of a few things to make for my get together on Saturday. I worked hard all afternoon and of course made a complete disaster of the place. Is it ever possible not to make a disaster just before hosting a party? Don’t think so. Not to mention the mirror backsplash in this kitchen seems to double the mess. I need a kitchen sign that reads: Objects in mirror are less messy than they appear…I swear!
Sadly, the incredible one-bite pizzas weren’t one of my ideas on Saturday, but they will be making a comeback for future get togethers, this I know.
I’ve been dying to make chocolate covered strawberries from scratch for a while now. I made traditional ones on our second wedding anniversary in 2010 using melted chocolate chips and a touch of coconut oil, but this time I made them without chocolate chips. You can check out this anniversary post for a wedding recap and a couple recipes – “love butter” strawberry muffins and the original chocolate covered strawberries!
Lately, I’ve been experimenting with homemade chocolate. I’ve made recipes using cocoa butter, coconut oil, cocoa powder, raw cacao powder, vanilla, natural sugars, and nut butter, using all kinds of variations and methods. I have this habit of testing out a million and one variations before I am happy with these types of recipes. I annoy myself so much, but the outcome is usually worth it!
When the chocolate ingredients are heated together, it creates a rich chocolate sauce that you can pour on just about anything. Or you can dip strawberries into it which is what I’ve done here. Instantly, you have yourself a classy party food, with barely any effort at all.
It gets better! When the chocolate sauce is chilled in the fridge it firms up, but not too firm. The chocolate doesn’t get super hard and break off the strawberry like with regular chocolate covered strawberries; it remains bendy and easy to bite into! Always an unexpected bonus. My friends commented that these were the best chocolate covered strawberries they’ve had and loved that the chocolate wasn’t really hard. I like to call it “bendy chocolate”. :) You could also use this on sliced bananas too.
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Chocolate Covered Strawberries From Scratch
Yield
24-28
Prep time
Cook time
0 minutes
Total time
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder or raw cacao powder, sifted
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup (or agave)
- 1/4 cup coconut oil (no subs)
- 1 tbsp all-natural nut butter (I used cashew butter)*
- 1/4 scant tsp fine grain sea salt, or to taste
- Unsweetened shredded coconut, to garnish
- Optional pink glaze: 1/2 cup icing (confectioner’s) sugar, 1 large strawberry, 1/2-1 tbsp strawberry jam, processed in a mini blender (makes enough to glaze about 8-10)
Directions
- Wash and pat the strawberries dry. Set aside.
- In a small pot, whisk together the maple syrup, coconut oil, nut butter, and cocoa powder over low to medium heat. Whisk for a couple minutes until all the coconut oil is melted and remove from heat.
- Dip strawberries into the chocolate mixture, coating most of the strawberry. Place onto a plate lined with parchment paper or on a wire rack. Repeat for the rest and sprinkle with coconut. Chill in the fridge to set.
- If making the pink frosting: with a mini food processor, combine the icing sugar, strawberry, and jam until smooth. You may need to add a bit more icing sugar depending on the consistency of your jam. If you don’t have a mini processor I suggest not using the whole strawberry and just mixing in a bit more jam into the icing sugar until the right consistency is achieved.
- Spoon the frosting into a baggie and snip off the end. Pipe frosting onto the strawberries and place back in the fridge until firm.
Here I am guarding my strawberries with my life!
In other news, today is my 29th birthday! Well, tomorrow if you are reading this Tuesday night. As my family jokingly tells me – it’s my first of very many 29th birthdays. hah. Time goes by faster every year I tell you..it’s a bit scary. I feel so blessed to be alive and healthy, even if it’s something I sometimes take for granted in the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
It’s hard to believe that 29 years ago, I was just a wee baby with no idea of what my life would hold!
Word to my loving mama and big sis.
Well, my partner in crime is treating me to a fun-filled birthday, so I’ll be back with the recap soon!








♥☆★☆•°*”˜”*°•.¸☆ HAPPY BIRTHDAY ☆¸.•°*”˜”*°•☆★☆♥
Sending you a basket full of birthday wishes with stars to reach for, sunshine to bask under and rainbows to marvel at.
Happy, Happy Birthday! I hope this next year is wonderful for you!
Happy birthday Angela!!! Those look absolutely delicious–chocolate covered strawberries are one of my favorite desserts ever but I haven’t had them in ages. Looking forward to trying them!
“Thirties” are better….I feel I am at a better place as far as life in general but also I think I know myself better now and am ready to just enjoy life, not search for myself anymore. I will turn 33 this summer….yikes! lol. Enjoy 30 and the wonderful years to follow!
Hi Angela, I love your site! I have been struggling to lose weight, and wondering if you could give me some tips. I would love to eat the way you do, but do you count calories?
Hi Brenda, I don’t count calories – I have learned to listen to my hunger cues after a long battle with disordered eating in my past. Me and counting calories just don’t work together in a positive manner, Im afraid. All the best to you!
Happy Birthday!!!
Happy Birthday Angela! Wishing you a beautiful day, and many more years of ‘glow’ ahead! xo
Happy Birthday Angela, you are getting better all the time. Thanks so much for all your wonderful recipes.
Happy birthday Angela! I’ve told you many a time but god I love your blog! Great content, and you’re so loveable :) Enjoy your day sweetheart. Much love, from England.
happy birthday Angela! your blog is my favourite! <3
Ooh, now I really want to make chocolate covered strawberries! Yum :)
Oh my gosh. I never you could make chocolate-covered strawberries from SCRATCH!!!! Do you think carob powder would work in place of the cocoa?
Happy Birthday! Your strawberries look luscious! I will be making these soon! Can you tell me how you keep track of your recipes? I need something, soon! I’m looking at cookmarked.com right now.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Angela! (A bit belated, sorry!) I hope you had a wonderful day and are still celebrating now :)
These chocolate dipped strawberries look amazing too – I’m so impressed you made the chocolate from scratch.
I love your website. I love your recipes.
Happy Happy birthday! I am a Canadian in Australia (Couldnt help but notice you are drinking a yellow tail wine….Australian.) The best Australian *Vegan* wines are from the YALUMBA range. you can buy them in Canada – about 13$ a bottle when I was there last.
Most are filtered through egg whites or milk at the finishing stage to clear out sediments, but Yalumba doesnt use either. So pure vegan wines. And they taste DIVINE!
Thank you Lori!
Yellow Tail Red wines are actually a vegan wine too! Check out barnivore.com to search your fav brands.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANGELA!!
BEST WISHES!
Happy Birthday Angela! I love your blog – and it’s pretty obvious that you love what you do so keep doing what makes you happy.
Happy Belated Birthday!!
I whipped this up last night and dipped banana chunks in it since had eaten all of the strawberries! Perfect!
Happy birthday! I hope you received some extra special treatment! Enjoy your last year in your 20’s! I turned 30 last year, but I’m loving the 30’s too. :) We’ll definitely be trying those chocolate-covered strawberries soon. We’ve been getting a bowlful of sweet, juicy berries from our garden every day the past few days!