Most people will agree that chocolate covered fruit is the best combination possible. This should not come as a surprise, and dipping various fruits in dark, milk or white chocolate is something that will make many people smile. In this article we have gathered together unique ideas for combining fruit with chocolate.
Most people will agree that chocolate covered fruit is the best combination possible. This should not come as a surprise, and dipping various fruits in dark, milk or white chocolate is something that will make many people smile. In this article we have gathered together unique ideas for combining fruit with chocolate.
Chocolate-covered fruit – preparation
If you plan to make chocolate-covered fruit, you will definitely need two ingredients: fruit and chocolate. Even though this may seem obvious, spend a moment to consider which products you want to use before you get started.
Fresh fruit in chocolate is always a great idea. In summer, when seasonal fruit is easily available, your options are much wider. You can choose strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and many more. When the season is over, why not try peaches, apricots, apples or pears? Remember to wash the fresh fruit thoroughly, to get rid of any dust or even dangerous microorganisms.
Which fruits can you use in winter? The best option would be to freeze fresh fruits in the summer. Peaches or tinned pineapples, as well as dried apricots or apples would also do. Alternatively you can always choose exotic fresh fruits such as bananas, oranges, grapefruits, mangos or kiwi, which also go very well with chocolate.
When choosing the chocolate, try to go for proven and high-quality products. If you know how to make chocolate yourself, then all the better. Remember to match the flavour with the fruit you have chosen. For example, sweet white chocolate goes well with sour raspberries or citrus fruits. Milk chocolate ideally match blueberries or blackberries, and dark chocolate goes well with oranges and strawberries.
Fruit in chocolate – recipe
Now that you know which ingredients to choose, it’s time to start preparing your dessert. The recipe for chocolate-covered fruit is very simple. All you will need is:
- a bar of your favourite chocolate,
- a tablespoon of butter,
- fruit.
Start off by washing the fruit. If they have skin, peel them and then cut them into smaller pieces. Serve citrus fruits such as oranges, mandarins and limes in cleaned and peeled pieces. Once ready, put them in the fridge for a while to keep them cool. This will make the chocolate harden slightly after dipping the fruit in it, and it will also stick better to the surface of the fruit.
How can you melt the chocolate? To do this you can use a water bath. Boil water in a small pot and then put the bowl in it. Place crumbled pieces of chocolate and a tablespoon of butter in the bowl. Stir from time to time until you achieve a liquid consistency. If it is too watery, you can add a few pieces of chocolate. Then pour the liquid into a separate bowl. Depending on how you intend to serve your dessert, you can soak the fruit yourself and serve it on a plate, or offer your guests the option of a chocolate fondue. In this case your guests will have to dip the ingredients themselves, which is an additional attraction in itself. A fondue set would come in handy here, consisting of a pot, stand, warmer and dipping forks.
How to make strawberries in chocolate?
Strawberries are one of the most popular ingredients in chocolate-covered fruit recipes. Their specific taste ideally matches chocolate, but there is also another reason. Some people believe that strawberries are an excellent aphrodisiac and symbolise love and seduction. Chocolate also stimulates desire, so the combination is ideal.
The recipe for preparing chocolate-covered strawberries is the same as for any other fruit. However, the serving method depends on your creativity. You could, for example, dip half of the strawberry in white chocolate and the other half in dark chocolate and serve them on paper muffin cups or small plates. Another idea could be to place the fruits on a grill and pour delicate streams of liquid chocolate over them, thus creating thin lines on the surface. If you want to serve the strawberries already soaked in chocolate then its best to leave the stems. This will give you something to hold them by when eating.
In the case of events such as weddings or proms, where there are a lot of guests, a chocolate fountain will be perfect. This way each guest can soak the fruit in the chocolate as they wish. This not only makes it much easier to prepare, but also fulfills a decorative purpose. Chocolate fountains also look irresistible, especially when well-lit and decorated nicely. If you do not have enough space to set up a fountain, you could use chocolate dispensers instead. They let you keep the chocolate liquid warm and ready for drinking or dipping strawberries. Equipped with mixing blades to prevent the chocolate from burning, you will have one less thing to remember about.
Chocolate-covered fruit on sticks
Chocolate-covered fruit on sticks is a great suggestion for both children and adults. Bananas are perfect, but you can also use kiwis or other fruits of your choice. So what exactly will you need? Here’s a short list:
- 5 bananas
- a bar of chocolate, e.g. milk or white,
- 1 tablespoon of butter,
- sprinkles, crushed nuts or almonds,
- ice cream sticks or skewers.
Peel the bananas and cut them into two pieces, or three pieces if they are long. Don’t forget to cut the ends off. Put the sticks or skewers into the pieces of fruit and put them in the freezer for approx. 10 mins. Melt the chocolate in a water bath, stirring constantly. Once you have a liquid consistency, dip the bananas into it. Then sprinkle the fruit with your favourite additions, which could be sprinkles, crushed nuts or almonds – it’s up to you. Put the chocolate-coated bananas back in the freezer, this time for approx. 1 hour. Take them out 15 minutes before serving. You will now have the perfect dessert for hot summer days, and not only.
Fruit in chocolate – a perfect combination
The refreshing taste of fruit together with the sweetness of milk chocolate, or the dry taste of dark chocolate, is an ideal combination for many people all over the world . The simple preparation and unlimited options make it a great idea regardless of your personal preferences.
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