If you’re looking for a fun and adorable treat to brighten up any celebration or simply satisfy your sweet cravings, the Chocolate Covered Strawberry Penguins Recipe is an absolute winner. This delightful dessert takes fresh, juicy strawberries and transforms them into charming little penguin-shaped goodies by dipping them in silky chocolate and decorating them with whimsical candy eyes and bright orange sprinkles. It’s not only a feast for your taste buds but also a joy to present and share. Whether it’s a party, a holiday, or just a cozy afternoon indulgence, these penguins are guaranteed to bring smiles all around.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is easier than you might think, and each one plays a crucial role in creating the perfect Chocolate Covered Strawberry Penguins Recipe. From the luscious strawberries to the smooth chocolate and playful candy decorations, these ingredients combine to create a symphony of flavors and textures that are simply irresistible.
- Fresh strawberries: About 15-20 medium strawberries provide the plump, juicy base that tastes fantastic and looks adorable.
- Chocolate (semi-sweet or milk, chopped): 4 ounces melt into a smooth coating that’s rich and decadent without overpowering the fruit’s natural sweetness.
- Candy eyeballs: 30-40 are needed to give your penguins expressive, fun faces that make each one unique.
- Round orange sprinkles: 30-40 sprinkles act as tiny beaks, adding a pop of color for that perfect penguin look.
How to Make Chocolate Covered Strawberry Penguins Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Strawberries
Start by washing your strawberries thoroughly and then drying them completely with paper towels. This step is crucial because any moisture left on the berries will prevent the chocolate from sticking properly, leaving you with a less-than-perfect finish.
Step 2: Melt the Chocolate
Place your chopped chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and melt it in 30-second bursts at 50% power, stirring gently after each interval. This slow melting process helps prevent the chocolate from burning and ensures it becomes smooth and glossy—just right for coating your strawberries. Expect this to take about 5 to 6 minutes.
Step 3: Dip and Decorate
Now for the fun part! Slide a strawberry onto a skewer—it makes handling the fruit while dipping much easier and prevents chocolate-coated fingers. Dip the strawberry into the melted chocolate, leaving a triangular section near the tip exposed to mimic the penguin’s belly. Let any excess chocolate drip off, then immediately add two candy eyeballs above the belly area and press two orange sprinkles just below the eyes vertically to form adorable little beaks.
Step 4: Let Chocolate Set
Stand the skewers upright so the chocolate can harden without smudging. Use a piece of floral foam, or if that’s not handy, an empty jar or tall cup will do the trick. Allow about 20-30 minutes for the chocolate to fully set. This patience is totally worth it when you see how cute your penguins turn out!
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Once the chocolate has set perfectly, gently remove the strawberries from the skewers and serve them up. These Chocolate Covered Strawberry Penguins Recipe treats taste best fresh, with the cool crispness of the berries contrasting beautifully with the rich chocolate.
How to Serve Chocolate Covered Strawberry Penguins Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate the presentation, sprinkle a light dusting of powdered sugar or tiny snowflake sprinkles around your penguin plates. Fresh mint leaves can also add a pop of green, enhancing the overall festive, wintry look that complements these charming little desserts.
Side Dishes
These penguin treats pair wonderfully with a light fruit salad, vanilla ice cream, or a simple whipped cream dip. The combination balances the rich chocolate and juicy berries, making for a delightful taste sensation your guests won’t forget.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve these penguins nestled in a bowl of shredded coconut to mimic snow or arrange them on a platter surrounded by small chocolate chips or mini marshmallows. For a party, you can even stick them into a cake to create a playful winter scene that’s guaranteed to be a conversation starter.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers from your Chocolate Covered Strawberry Penguins Recipe, keep them in a single layer in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This helps preserve the crispness of the chocolate and the freshness of the strawberries but try to enjoy within 1-2 days for the best flavor and texture.
Freezing
While strawberries don’t freeze well and can get mushy when thawed, if you want to prepare ahead, you can freeze the dipped strawberries without the decoration for up to a month. Thaw them in the refrigerator and add candy eyes and beaks just before serving to maintain that fresh look and texture.
Reheating
Since this is a fresh dessert intended to be enjoyed cool, reheating is not recommended. Instead, serve them chilled for that perfect delightful bite that combines the fresh fruit with firm chocolate.
FAQs
Can I use dark chocolate instead of semi-sweet or milk chocolate?
Absolutely! Dark chocolate adds a slightly richer and less sweet flavor, which contrasts nicely with the natural sweetness of the strawberries and still works perfectly for this recipe.
What if I can’t find candy eyeballs?
No worries! You can substitute tiny white chocolate chips or even use white icing dots with chocolate dots for pupils. Get creative to give your penguins their charming eyes.
Is there a way to make these penguins ahead of a party?
Yes, you can prep and store them in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving. Just add the candy eyes and beaks last minute if you want them to look super fresh and avoid any moisture softening the decorations.
Can I use frozen strawberries?
Using fresh strawberries is best because frozen ones tend to release water when thawed, which affects the chocolate’s ability to stick and crisp up nicely.
How do I ensure the chocolate doesn’t melt on the strawberries?
Make sure the strawberries are completely dry before dipping and allow the chocolate to set in a cool room or refrigerator. Also, tempering the chocolate can help it stay firmer at room temperature.
Final Thoughts
Sharing the joy and whimsy of the Chocolate Covered Strawberry Penguins Recipe has been such a pleasure because it’s one of those treats that delights on every level—from the adorable appearance to the perfect blend of chocolate and fresh fruit flavors. I can’t wait for you to try it and share it with your friends and family. Trust me, these little penguins are sure to become a beloved favorite in your dessert lineup!
Print
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Penguins Recipe
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Total Time: 42 minutes
- Yield: 20 penguins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Melting
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Chocolate Covered Strawberry Penguins are a playful and delicious treat perfect for parties or festive occasions. Fresh strawberries are dipped in melted semi-sweet or milk chocolate, leaving a belly-shaped triangle exposed. Candy eyeballs and orange sprinkles add charming penguin eyes and beak, creating an adorable, edible dessert that’s as fun to make as it is to eat.
Ingredients
Fruit
- 1 quart fresh strawberries (approximately 15-20)
Chocolate Coating
- 4 oz chocolate (semi-sweet or milk, chopped)
Decorations
- 30–40 candy eyeballs (2 per strawberry)
- 30–40 round orange sprinkles (2 per strawberry)
Instructions
- Prepare Strawberries: Wash the strawberries thoroughly and then dry them completely with paper towels. Make sure no moisture remains, as dampness will prevent the chocolate from sticking properly to the berries.
- Melt Chocolate: Place the chopped chocolate into a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave it on 50% power in 30-second intervals, stirring well between each interval. Continue until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth, which typically takes around 5-6 minutes in total.
- Dip and Decorate: Insert a strawberry onto the end of a skewer; this keeps your fingers clean while dipping. Dip the strawberry into the melted chocolate, leaving a triangle-shaped section uncovered to mimic the penguin’s belly. Let the excess chocolate drip off before adding 2 candy eyeballs above the exposed belly section, then press two round orange sprinkles just below the eyes to form the penguin’s beak. Position the sprinkles upright for a realistic effect.
- Set Chocolate: Place the skewers upright to allow the chocolate to set and harden. This takes about 20-30 minutes. You can use a piece of floral foam or stand the skewers in a tall cup or empty jar as a support.
- Serve: Once the chocolate has set, carefully remove the strawberry penguins from the skewers and enjoy immediately as a fun and festive treat.
Notes
- Ensure strawberries are completely dry before dipping to help chocolate adhere better.
- Use a skewer or toothpick to avoid messy fingers during dipping and decorating.
- Floral foam, a tall cup, or a jar can be used to hold the skewers upright while chocolate sets.
- Semi-sweet chocolate provides a nice contrast with the sweetness of strawberries; milk chocolate offers a sweeter taste if preferred.
- Decorate promptly after dipping as the chocolate hardens quickly.
- Store leftover chocolate penguins in a cool place but avoid refrigeration which can cause condensation and chocolate bloom.
