Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Our local candy store sells hand-dipped chocolate covered strawberries for $14.99 per pound. Outrageous considering how insanely simple they are to make! The secret to a good coating is to make certain the berries are completely dry before you dip them. You can either leave the stem on and dip the strawberries 3/4 way for a fancier look OR stem the berries and use a skewer to dunk them completely into the chocolate.

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

4 dozen lg. strawberries
12 oz bag chocolate chips (either semi-sweet or milk chocolate)
1 T. Crisco

Rinse the strawberries and pat to dry. Line a tray with waxed paper.

Microwave the chocolate chips and Crisco at 50% power for 2 minutes. Stir and continue heating at 50% power until completely melted. Stir well.

Dip each strawberry into the chocolate, allowing the excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl. Set on the waxed paper lined tray.

Chill in refrigerator for at least 1 hour to allow the chocolate to set. Can be made up to a day ahead. Remove from refrigerator about 30 minutes before serving.

Coconut Almond Joy Easter Eggs

An easy candy to make; the mixer does most of the work for you! These can be made ahead and then stored in the freezer. Use either the milk chocolate or semi-sweet morsels for dipping them in-they're both good.

Coconut Almond Joy Easter Eggs

1/2 c. butter, softened
1 (16-oz.) box confectioners' sugar
1 (3-oz.) package cream cheese, softened
3 c. flaked coconut
Whole almonds
1 (12-oz.) package chocolate morsels

In a bowl, using a mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add cream cheese and coconut; mix well.

Shape into walnut-sized egg shape, or use candy molds if available. Plunge a whole almond into center of eggs making sure almond is covered with coconut mixture. Place on waxed paper.

Melt chocolate morsels in double boiler. Dip each egg in chocolate and allow excess chocolate to drip off bottom of egg. Carefully place egg on waxed paper and allow to set, usually about 1 hour. When set, place each egg into a pastel colored bonbon cup.

Makes about 5 dozen eggs.

Oreo Truffles

Even though these are incredibly easy to make, I only do so at the holidays because they are so addictive! Only 4 ingredients and everyone loves them! What could be better?

Oreo Truffles

8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 pkg. Oreo cookies, crushed
2 c. semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips
1 T. Crisco

Mix cream cheese with electric mixer until fluffy. Add the crushed Oreos and beat on high until well mixed. Chill for at least 2 hours in the freezer. Then roll into one inch balls.


Next, melt the chocolate chips and shortening with a double boiler or in the microwave. Dip the Oreo balls completely into the melted chocolate using a toothpick.

Put on waxed paper. After the Oreo balls harden, keep them in the refrigerator.

Makes about 3 or 4 dozen Oreo Truffles, depending on the size