Easy Chocolate Covered Treats

Hello and happy Tuesday! Last Friday I made these yummy chocolate covered treats for a holiday office party. It was such a wonderful evening filled with so much delicious food and fun moments. We had lasagna three ways (meat, veggie, and chocolate), a secret Santa gift exchange that had me rolling on the floor laughing, a Skype conversation with a co-worker and her puppy, and a hilarious conversation about the slang term basic.  It was truly an amazing night, and I feel very fortunate to have such delightful co-workers.

I know, I know!  Get to the chocolate covered strawberries and chocolate covered pretzels already.  The recipe and assembly of these treats is so simple that you can whip them up in no time.  This quick dessert recipe is fun to make and truly tasty…

Ingredients

• 4 oz. milk chocolate chips
• 4 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 8 oz. white chocolate chips
• food coloring (I used red & green gel food coloring)
• 1 bag of large pretzels
• 1 pint of strawberries
• Assorted toppings such as toffee pieces, crushed candy canes, etc.
• Parchment paper

Directions

• Over very low heat melt white chocolate chips in a small sauce pan,
• Over very low heat melt milk and semi-sweet chocolate chips in a small sauce pan
• After both are melted dunk and cover pretzels and strawberries
• Carefully place pretzels and strawberries on non-stick parchment paper
• While chocolate is still soft, sprinkle various toppings over them
• Take remaining white chocolate and divide into two small bowls, mix food coloring until desired color is achieved
• With a fork drizzle colored white chocolate over pretzels and strawberries
• With a fork drizzle remaining milk/semi-sweet chocolate over pretzels and strawberries
• Allow to cool for at least 2 hours or half an hour in the refrigerator

Remember to use very, very low heat or melt chocolate in a heat proof bowl over boiling water.  Work quickly once chocolate has melted, that means that organization is key.  Have all strawberries and pretzels prepped and ready.  Lay out the parchment paper neatly, ready to be topped with yummy chocolate covered goodies.  If the chocolate starts to thicken just pop it onto the stove over low heat again.  Just remember to leave enough time for the chocolate to firm up.  I suggest making them at least a few hours before a party, or placing them in the fridge to speed things up if you are in a hurry.  And, last but not least, don’t eat all of them!  Lol!  That was my worst problem making these.  I kept eating them, and eventually gave myself a stomach ache.  But, at least I got my full serving of fruit for the day.

Enjoy! Buen Provecho!

Xo, Maria