Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Happy Valentine's weekend! In case you still need a gift to give to your sweetie you can always just make your own Chocolate Covered Strawberries. They really couldn't be any easier to make and the results are so rewarding!

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

7 oz bittersweet chocolate, melted and kept warm

1 teaspoon vegetable shortening

2 oz pink candy melts

12 large strawberries, washed and dried

In a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water, melt the bittersweet chocolate and shortening, stirring till smooth and mixed together well. Once the chocolate is completely melted and smooth remove the pan from the heat and set aside to keep warm.

Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper. Have your prepared strawberries ready. Poke a toothpick straight into the stem area of each berry, far enough to leave a little handle and be stable. Dip one strawberry at a time in the chocolate, covering the strawberry almost completely - do not cover the stems. Allow excess chocolate to drip off back into the bowl, then place the strawberry on its side on the prepared parchment. Repeat with remaining strawberries. Allow chocolate to set on the berries until hardened.

Once the bittersweet chocolate has set, melt the candy melts in a heatproof bowl over simmering water. Once melted, using a fork and drizzle a few streaks of candy melt over each berry. Set baking sheet aside until strawberries set completely - you can do this more quickly in the refrigerator.