Chocolate-covered strawberries for Valentine's Day

Save serious money by making your own chocolate-covered strawberries for Valentine's Day. Most Buffalo area confectioners sell these for between $9.99 and $14.99 per pound, and you might get 2 or 3 in that pound. You'll find whole strawberries at Save-A-Lot for $2.49 per pound. Pick up a good quality dark chocolate (Hershey's Dark works great) or use good quality semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips.

White chocolate may be drizzled over the milk chocolate for a fancier look.

Chocolate-covered strawberries
Ingredients:
16 ounces dark chocolate or milk chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips.
2 Tbsp. vegetable shortening
1 pound fresh strawberries with leaves
toothpicks
wax paper
Directions:
Insert toothpicks into the tops of the strawberries.
In a double boiler, melt the chocolate and shortening, stirring occasionally until smooth. Holding them by the toothpicks, dip the strawberries into the chocolate mixture.
Turn the strawberries upside down and place them on a sheet of wax paper; wait for chocolate to cool completely and harden (about 2 to 3 hours).

Need some more ideas for Valentine's Day? Check out Six cheap but romantic ways to celebrate Valentine's Day from Jennifer King, Valentine's Day ideas from Susan Hillman. Looking for ideas for the gay couple? Check out Valentine's Day: Gift ideas for the gay couple from Belky Perez Schwartz.

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