Chocolate Strawberries and Cherries for Valentine's Day

OK, I couldn't stand it.  I'm keeping dinner really simple tonight (Stouffer's Lasagna, garlic toast and spinach salad. Hubs faves) so I had to make something tasty and pretty to celebrate. 

I had chocolate and maraschino cherries leftover from my Cherry Bombs and I saw a box of beautiful, red, ripe strawberries at the store this morning so chocolate covered strawberries and cherries it is!  I also spied some wafers in the pantry. 

These are just too easy to make.  Be sure to make the same day you plan to eat them.  They do not store well.

Chocolate Covered Fruit
Strawberries
Maraschino Cherries
Milk Chocolate Candy Coating
White Chocolate Candy Coasting
Assorted decorative sugars,  jimmies, sprinkles, nonpareils, chopped nuts, etc.

Wash strawberries and rinse cherries.  Dry completely.  Be very diligent about getting them as dry as possible, otherwise, the chocolate won't stick & any water will seize the chocolate.

Melt milk chocolate candy coating.  I use my mini Crockpot.  You can also melt it in the microwave.  If you choose the microwave, place chocolate in a microwave-safe container.  Set timer for 30 seconds and stir.  Continue to use 30 second blasts and stirring between until chocolate is completely melted.

Lay out a sheet of foil or parchment paper.

Dip fruit in chocolate, making sure to coat completely.  I use them stems to sort of roll them around and them support them with a candy fork or regular fork and tap gently on the side to let excess chocolate drip off.

Place on foil/parchment to dry.  Continue until all pieces of fruit are covered.

If desired, while the chocolate is still wet, you can sprinkle with sparkle sugar, nonpareils, chopped nuts, or jimmies. I used crushed strawberry Pop Rocks (why not?) and cacao nibs. 

Place in refrigerator until candy coating is set.  They are ready to eat at this point.

As you can see, I didn't use the white chocolate; however, if you want to decorate them with the white chocolate candy coating, following the above directions to melt. 

Take a baggie and snip a tiny hole by cutting a small piece off the corner and then pour the melted white chocolate into the baggie.

Working quickly, zig-zag/drizzle the white chocolate over the hardened milk chocolate.  You can be creative and make designs, initials, whatever you want. 

Refrigerate until serving.