Whether it’s for Valentine’s day, Mother’s Day, a birthday party or an everyday treat, these Chocolate Salted Caramel Strawberries will please kiddos and parents alike!
Since having kids, I noticed that my food cravings have become rather moody. I swing in the afternoon, craving something sweet. Then right after, have a serious salty hankering. My husband does not appreciate my sweet and salty cravings.
He thinks it’s odd. But, the kiddos are on my side. Sweet and salty rocks! Chocolate covered strawberries are a classic treat for Valentine’s Day. Definitely classier and more sophisticated than a box of sweethearts!
So when Driscoll’s Berries asked me to come up with my own twist on the chocolate covered strawberry, I went the sweet and salty route.
How to melt chocolate using a double boiler
These Chocolate Salted Caramel Strawberries are easy to prepare, but it does require working with melted chocolate. If you are new to melting chocolate, it can be a little tricky. But these tips will help you do it right from the start.
There are two ways of melting chocolate: over the stove and in the microwave. To melt chocolate over a stove, you need to set up a double boiler because melting chocolate directly in the pot over direct heat can burn the chocolate.
Place a small pot inside a larger pot, where the larger pot has a little water in it. You do not want so much water that it overflows or spills into the pot with the chocolate. If water does get into the melting chocolate, your chocolate will not melt smoothly and you will have to start all over again.
While using a double boiler to melt chocolate, you need to heat the water and chocolate over medium heat. Again, you do not want to use high heat as it can burn the chocolate.
How to melt chocolate using a microwave
If I am working with a small batch of melted chocolate, I prefer to melt everything in the microwave. To melt chocolate in the microwave, use a microwave safe bowl. I prefer to use a silicone bowl because it helps with the clean up afterwards.
Place your chocolate chips or chopped up chocolate into your silicone bowl and microwave in 20 second intervals. After each interval, stop and stir the chocolate as it melts to prevent hot spots from forming and burning the chocolate.
When the chocolate is mostly melted, but still has chunks do not microwave again. Instead continue stirring the chocolate bits until everything is melted.
How to melt caramel
The best way to melt caramel is to use the double boiler method over the stove. I find melting caramels to be more tricky than melting chocolate, so I prefer to use a double boiler than the microwave.
I also add a little heavy cream while melting the caramel so that your teeth don’t crack when you bite into the strawberries! The cream softens the caramel a bit. If you want to soften the caramel more, add a little more heavy cream while you are melting the caramels.
Assembling your chocolate salted caramel strawberries
Once you have your melted chocolate and melted caramel, you are ready to assemble your chocolate salted caramel strawberries. First, make sure your strawberries are completely dry before dipping them into the melted chocolate. You can let the strawberries air dry in the refrigerator after washing. If the strawberries are a little wet, the chocolate will not stick.
Dip your strawberries in the melted chocolate, then drizzle with melted caramel. Do not completely coat the strawberries in caramel, just a drizzle will do. You don’t to lose any teeth on these babies!
Place the strawberries on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat and and sprinkle with a little salt while everything is still wet. If you have some flavored or gourmet salts, even better! Refrigerate the strawberries when you are done to let them harden.
Your chocolate salted caramel strawberries will keep in the refrigerator for 1-2 days. Just take them out of the refrigerator 1-hour prior to serving for caramel to soften a little.
More homemade Valentine treats
I love homemade gifts and food gifts are even better! If you like these chocolate salted caramel strawberries, also try my Rum Raisin Fudge, White Chocolate Rose Bark or this decadent White Rose Cake.
Chocolate Salted Caramel Strawberries
Whether it's for Valentine's day, Mother's Day, a birthday party or an everyday treat, these Chocolate Salted Caramel Strawberries will please kiddos and parents alike!
Ingredients
- 6 oz dark chocolate chips
- 12 large strawberries
- 5 oz caramel squares
- 1 TBS heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Using a double boiler, slowly melt chocolate over medium-low heat:
- You can also melt the chocolate in a microwave in 30-second increments, stirring each time until melted. Be careful not to burn the chocolate!
- Using completely dried strawberries, dip each strawberry, one by one, into the melted chocolate:
- Coat the strawberries, but do not completely immerse the berries in the chocolate. Lay each chocolate coated berry onto the prepared pan after dipping.
- In a medium saucepan combine caramel and heavy cream and melt over low heat, stirring constantly.
- Once melted, using a fork dip into the caramel sauce and drizzle in a zig zag pattern over the chocolate covered strawberries.
- Do not completely coat the strawberries in caramel, just a drizzle will do. You don’t want to lose any teeth on these babies.
- Sprinkle salt over the caramel covered strawberries.
- Chill strawberries until ready to serve. Remove them from the refrigerator 30 minutes prior to serving for caramel to soften a little.
Notes
Serving Suggestions: Serve on popsicle sticks or skewers for the kids or with champagne for the adults!
Cooking Tips: Use a good quality chocolate or you will have a grainy mess.
Make sure your strawberries are completely dry before dipping them into the melted chocolate. Otherwise, the chocolate will not stick to the berries.
These will keep in the refrigerator for 1-2 days. Just take them out of the refrigerator 30 minutes prior to serving for caramel to soften a little.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1 strawberryAmount Per Serving: Calories: 88Total Fat: 4.2gSaturated Fat: 2.5gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 107mgCarbohydrates: 14.1gFiber: 0.4gSugar: 11.2gProtein: 1.3g
Chocolate covered strawberries are one of my favorites, but can you believe I never would’ve thought to do add caramel?? I need to try this next time 😀