These fun Chocolate Covered Strawberry Turkeys are a sweet treat that looks adorable and tastes amazing! Fresh strawberries dipped in chocolate are dressed up with candy for a festive touch.
Making these is a blast! I love setting them up on a plate to impress family and friends. Plus, who can resist a delicious strawberry that’s all dressed up for the party? 🍓🦃
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Strawberries: Fresh, large strawberries are essential for creating the turkey’s body. Look for ones with intact green tops for a festive touch. If strawberries are out of season, you might consider using large raspberries or even bananas cut into pieces.
Chocolate Chips: Semisweet or milk chocolate chips work best for dipping. If you’re dairy-free, opt for dark chocolate chips or enjoy an easy swap with vegan chocolate chips. I’ve even used white chocolate for a fun twist!
Pretzel Twists: The pretzels give a great turkey leg effect. If you’re avoiding gluten, use gluten-free pretzel sticks or pieces of nuts like almonds cut to size. You can also skip this if you just want a simpler version!
Peanut Halves: These are used for the turkey’s beak. If there are nut allergies, consider using small candy corns or even a tiny piece of chocolate for a similar look.
How Do I Make Sure the Chocolate Sticks to the Strawberries?
Getting the chocolate to stick well is crucial for that lovely finish. Here’s how:
- **Wash and Dry:** Rinse the strawberries gently and pat them dry completely. Moisture is the enemy here!
- **Melt Carefully:** Melt the chocolate slowly in the microwave, stirring often. This helps keep it smooth and prevents burning.
- **Dip Right:** Hold the strawberry by the green tops and dip about 3/4 of it into the chocolate. Allow excess to drip before placing it down.
- **Add Accessories Quickly:** Don’t wait too long to add the peanuts, pretzels, and chocolate chips as the chocolate sets quickly. You want everything to stick before it hardens!
With these tips, your chocolate-covered strawberry turkeys will turn out great, and the kids will love them! Enjoy the fun and tasty project!
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Turkeys
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 12 large fresh strawberries with green tops intact
- 1 cup semisweet or milk chocolate chips
- 6 small peanut halves (for turkey’s “beak”)
- 6 pretzel twists (for turkey’s “legs”)
- 12 white chocolate chips (for turkey’s “feathers”)
- 12 mini chocolate chips (for turkey’s “eyes”)
- Parchment paper or wax paper for drying
How Much Time Will You Need?
This fun treat takes about 30 minutes to prepare and assemble, plus 15-20 minutes for chilling in the refrigerator. Perfect for a quick and festive dessert!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Strawberries:
Gently wash the strawberries to remove any dirt and debris. Be careful not to crush them! After washing, pat them dry with a clean towel—making sure they’re completely dry is essential for the chocolate to stick.
2. Set Up Your Work Area:
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or wax paper. This will be where you let your chocolate-covered strawberries set once you’ve dipped them.
3. Melt the Chocolate:
In a microwave-safe bowl, measure out the semisweet or milk chocolate chips. Heat them in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Be careful not to overheat it!
4. Dip the Strawberries:
Take a strawberry by its green top and dip about 3/4 of it into the melted chocolate, swirling it around to coat well. Let any excess chocolate drip off before placing it on the lined baking sheet.
5. Add the Turkey Legs:
While the chocolate on each strawberry is still wet, press a pretzel twist into the bottom for the turkey’s legs. This will help it stay in place.
6. Make the Beak:
At the front of the strawberry, near the tip, press a peanut half into the chocolate to create the turkey’s beak. Adjust it to make it look just right!
7. Create the Feathers:
On the rounded back top side of the strawberry, arrange 3 white chocolate chips with the pointed ends facing outward to mimic feathers. If needed, slightly melt the flat side of the chips to help them stick better.
8. Dot on the Eyes:
To finish off your turkey, use mini chocolate chips to create two eyes on the strawberry, positioned near the beak area. Gently press them in so they adhere well.
9. Chill the Turkeys:
Once all strawberries are decorated, place the baking sheet in the refrigerator. Allow the strawberries to chill for 15-20 minutes, or until the chocolate is fully set and firm.
10. Serve and Enjoy!
After chilling, arrange your adorable chocolate-covered strawberry turkeys on a festive platter and enjoy them with family and friends! These treats are sure to be a hit!
This festive dessert is perfect for Thanksgiving or any fun gathering. The combination of fresh strawberries and chocolate is simply delicious, and the candy decorations make for a whimsical turkey look that’s sure to delight everyone!
Can I Use Different Types of Chocolate?
Absolutely! While semisweet or milk chocolate is traditional, you can also use dark chocolate or white chocolate for a fun variation. Just be sure to melt them gently to avoid burning.
What If I Don’t Have Pretzels?
No worries! You can use small sticks of bread, candy corn, or even pieces of nuts as the turkey’s legs instead. Get creative with what you have on hand!
How Should I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftover chocolate-covered strawberry turkeys in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. They taste best when fresh, so try to enjoy them soon after making!
Can I Make These Ahead of Time?
Yes! You can prepare and decorate the strawberries a few hours in advance. Just keep them stored in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve for the best results!