DIY Valentine’s Day Treats with Strawberries!

DIY Valentine’s Day Treats with Strawberries!

Things You’ll Need:
Strawberries
Candy Melts – any color
Toppings – I used coconut & honey crushed cereal!
Sugar
Nutella
Corn Syrup
Water
Wax Paper
Heart Cookie Cutter
Toothpicks
Skewers

1. Classic Chocolate Covered Strawberries
– Melt the candy melts according to the directions on the package.
– Wash and dry the strawberries and dip into the chocolate. Place on the wax paper and allow to dry.

– Optional Topping: After you dip the strawberry in the chocolate, dip in the topping before placing on the wax paper. Allow to dry.

2 Heart Shaped Chocolate Covered Strawberry
– Melt the candy melts according to the direction on the package.
– Cut the strawberry in half and lay flat on a plate/cutting board
– Cut 1/4 of the strawberry on the side facing each other.
– Join the strawberry parts together and cut out the rest of the heart shape
– Push a toothpick through the strawberry to hold in place.
– Dip in the chocolate and place on wax paper.
– Optional: Add toppings to the strawberry before the chocolate dries.

– Option 2: Use a cookie cutter to cut out heart
– Turn the heart on the side and cut the strawberry in half.
– dip in chocolate and repeat optional step above for the topping if desired.

3 Nutella Stuffed Strawberries
– Cut a little part of the top and bottom of the strawberry. Make sure it can stand on it’s own
– Carve out the inside of the strawberry
– Add Nutella in a sandwich bag and cut out the corner.
– Pipe the Nutella in the strawberry
– Option 1: Add topping
– Option 2: Dip strawberry in melted chocolate. If you want more than one color, allow first coat to fully dry and dip the strawberry in the second color

4 Candied Strawberries
– Cut out the heart shape using the cookie cutter.
– Cut the strawberry heart in half
– Add to skewer
– Make candy mixture in a saucepan
– Pour over strawberry
– Optional: Add topping. I found it pretty sweet and thought the topping may take away from the taste

– TIP: make this one if you’re planning to use it within a few hours. I left it overnight and the sugar/candy mixture melted off the strawberry!

How to make the candy mixture:

You’ll Need:
2 cups Sugar
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup corn syrup

Instructions:
In a small saucepan set over medium heat, combine sugar, corn syrup, and 1/2 cup water. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Raise heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Don’t stir it again. Allow the mixture to boil for 10-15 minutes.

If you have a -candy thermometer:
Allow the temp to reach 300 degrees for the hard coating like a candy apple or about 240-50 for the softer coating.

If you don’t have a candy thermometer:
Test your mixture with a metal spoon after 10 minutes. You want the coating to slow drip off the spoon and for it to have formed a coating. Just keep testing and washing and drying the spoon until its right.

Happy Valentine’s Day!!!

xoxoxo,
Kell