Chocolate Covered Strawberries

chocolate-covered-strawberriesWho doesn’t love chocolate covered strawberries?!?! They are one of my most favorite treats ever and I love it because they are actually good for you (well… better at least than some desserts, especially if you make them with rich dark chocolate, nums!) Anyways, this is a very typical yet delicious milk chocolate covered strawberry recipe that is perfect for valentines day or really any day of the month in my opinion. This recipe requires using a double broiler which I think melts the chocolate perfectly, but you can also use a microwave or fondue pot.

Ingredients

* 16 ounces milk chocolate chips
* 2 tablespoons shortening
* 1 pound fresh strawberries with stems

Directions

1. Grasp the stem or green leaves of the strawberry and dip into the chocolate and swirl in chocolate to partially cover.

2. Give the strawberry a little shake as you withdraw it from the chocolate so the chocolate will be evenly distributed.

3. When the strawberry is completely withdrawn from the chocolate, swirl it in a quick, clockwise motion to let the excess chocolate drip off.

4. Place on the wax paper covered cookie sheet an repeat with the rest of the strawberries.

5. Once complete either place strawberries into refrigerator or set aside to allow the chocolate to harden, about 30 minutes. Transfer fruit onto a serving platter to serve.

NOTE: The chocolate dipped strawberries are best if eaten within 24 hours – refrigerate for longer storage, but serve at room temperature for greatest flavor.

Valentine Cookie Pops… Great Cookie Recipe For Kids!

Valentines CookiesValentine Cookie Pops are super easy to make using Pillsbury® Ready To Bake!™ cookies. These adorable valentines-on-a-stick are super yummy and the kids adore them! Just make sure the cookies are nice and cooled before the kids pick them up to eat them or cookie messes everywhere! Grab a printable coupon for $0.75 off Pillsbury Cookies Here.

INGREDIENTS

*1 package (18 oz) Pillsbury® Ready To Bake!™ refrigerated sugar cookies
*20 flat wooden sticks with round ends
*1 1/4 cups vanilla creamy ready-to-spread frosting (from 1-lb container)
*3 jars Assorted small candies, or candy decors or nonpareils, if desired
*10 yards red curling ribbon, string, paper, or whatever else you might like to use to decorate them with

DIRECTIONS
1. Heat oven to 350°F. On ungreased cookie sheets, place cookie dough pieces 2 inches apart. Into side of each piece of dough, insert wooden stick 1 inch, overlapping wooden sticks as necessary.
2. Bake 12 to 16 minutes or until edges are light golden brown. Cool 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheets. Cool completely, about 10 minutes.
3. Spread frosting on one side of each cookie; decorate with candies. Tie 18 inches of red ribbon into bow around each stick next to cookie.