Now, I don’t consider myself a total domestic goddess … but I do know goodness when I taste it.
I have always had a thing for chilli (chili), chocolate and cinnamon so I took a page from my very own (and very successful molten chocolate lava cake recipe) book and integrated these 3 flavours into something a little easier to transport.
Spice up your Dorrigo surprise marriage proposal or wedding day experience in the Bellingen Shire with the delectable chocolate-covered strawberry – a perfect accompaniment to your post-proposal (or wedding photography location) glass of Moet.
It is also worthy to note that although strawberries are typically grown in Australia throughout the year, in temperate regions they are more locally available from October to June.
Ingredients:
- 12 small strawberries or 6-8 largish strawberries
- 50 dark chocolate Cadbury melts
- 20 milk chocolate Cadbury melts
- 2 small birds eye chillies to add some SPICE and HEAT things up
- One teaspoon of ground cinnamon because everyone loves a nice warm cinnamony HUG.
Other stuff you will need:
- A glass bowl and microwave or working stovetop
Chocolate will burn easily so aim to use a glass or metal bowl over a saucepan of simmering water or a use a microwave-proof bowl in the microwave. To be absolutely sure that you don’t spoil your chocolate and have it go all crusty and hard, follow the melting instructions on the back of the chocolate pack. Easy stuff.
- Greaseproof paper (baking paper) and a baking sheet or tray to pop your dipped strawberries on
- Paper towel
- A spoon to mix your chocolatey goodness
- A fork to remove the chillies from your chocolate mix
- It’s also handy to have some toothpicks on the ready as well. As you can see from my pictures below, the stems tend to fall off. Boo.
IMPORTANT:
Water and chocolate don’t mix. This means that if any WATER or excess moisture gets into your chocolate, it will seize up. Make sure to pat your strawberries dry with a paper towel. Actually, it may be best to keep them out of the fridge for a few hours before as well so there is less water condensation on the berries.
- Prepare a tray with baking paper in advance for your freshly dipped strawberries.
2. Microwave the chocolate melts at 30-second intervals and stir in between, until its nearly done.
3. Add the cinnamon, mix through and microwave on 5-second intervals until smooth.
4. Make sure the chillies are completely dry and place them WHOLE (don’t cut them up) into the chocolate mix and stir through, let stand for a few minutes so the chilli heat permeates into the chocolate.
WARNING : Don’t microwave your chillies. They EXPLODE…
Yep… I learnt the hard way.
5. Take the chillies out with your fork (put aside) and re-microwave your chocolate on 5-second intervals to make sure the chocolate is smooth enough for dipping.
6. Hold each strawberry by the stem and dip them into the chocolate with a rolling motion, to cover the strawberry.
If there is too much chocolate on your berry, lightly scrape off excess on the side of the chocolate bowl.
7. Place each strawberry on the greaseproof paper to set and/or speed up that process in the fridge.
If you need to transport your chocolatey masterpieces to your marriage proposal location in Sydney, place them in a greaseproof paper-lined container (in a cooler bag, preferably next to that bottle of Moet) as the strawberries will sweat if they get warm.
And Voila! You have your fancy and let’s be real here… “sexy” strawberries ready to go.
We’d love to see what you do with this recipe. Tag @marrymeimages on Facebook and Insta so we can see and share your creations!
GOOD LUCK.
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