Valentine’s Day is less than two weeks away… Are you ready?
My husband and I don’t usually go all out with Valentine’s Day… It’s just not our thing. There are no diamonds or extravagant gifts (though I wouldn’t be entirely opposed to that). We usually make a point to get each other a card and (when we remember) a small gift. Instead, we usually make a special dinner together (which is rare) and make some chocolate covered strawberries.
So, when I saw that this month’s themed Works for Me Wednesday post was supposed to focus on Valentine’s Day gift ideas, I decided to share my trick for perfectly drizzled chocolate. After all, nothing says Valentine’s Day like dipping and drizzling with chocolate, right? Whether you are the gift giving type or not, I guarantee that your sweetie will melt for some beautiful homemade chocolate treats.
Anyone can dunk strawberries in chocolate, but I think that adding some drizzle really takes your strawberries to the next level… Especially if you do it right.
Put down the plastic bag!
I know you probably have recipes that suggest melting chocolate in a plastic bag, cutting the tip off, and using it as a makeshift piping bag for drizzling. Don’t do it! It’s hard to keep the chocolate from squirting out in every direction, and you run the risk of the bag exploding melted chocolate all over your kitchen (that has happened to me more times than I can count!).
Instead, get out your trusty squeeze bottle. It seems obvious, doesn’t it? Unlike the plastic bag (or even a disposable piping bag), you can set the melted chocolate down and don’t have to worry about a chocolate flood on your countertops. Plus, you have much more control while you drizzle! If you don’t have a few squeeze bottles in your kitchen, you can find them at a craft store.
Work Quickly!
When you are drizzling chocolate, you have to work quickly. If you want nice, thin, clean lines, you can’t give the chocolate any time to glop up (technical term). Gently squeeze the bottle as you quickly move your arm (not just your wrist!) back and forth.
Extra Space…
Be sure that you have extra space to work with. Your drizzle should start off of the item you are drizzling and extend a bit on either side. It’s hard to have an even drizzle if you are worried about coloring in the lines… Just let it flow naturally, the extra drizzle will break off after the chocolate sets, and it’ll look perfect!
Think Outside the Strawberry!
Chocolate drizzle is great for more than just strawberries! Think about your sweetie’s favorite treats… Cookies, pretzels, nut clusters, graham crackers, and even bacon are all great for dipping and drizzling with chocolate!
Thanks for the tip! It looks really lovely:)
What a beautiful work! Thanks for sharing these precious tips!
Oh my gosh! I have been wanting to make chocolate covered pretzel sticks since Christmas! I get a snow day today, so maybe that should go on the list of to-do’s. :) Thanks for sharing! Now I wish I had strawberries too!
The squeeze bottle is such a good idea, I have only used plastic bags historically!
The drizzle does take these treats to the next level. These look super delish.
I really need to get some of those plastic bottles. I saw them at the dollar store too.
What a wonderful idea!! I’ve always done it the plastic bag way, and now I’m kicking myself because of how easy the the squeeze bottle way looks! ;-)
Fantastic tips… well done!
Wow – those drizzles really do look so perfect!
Jen, I can’t believe I never thought of this before. I have one squeeze bottle – methinks I need to get some more :-) Do you temper your chocolate? It looks so shiny!
I wish I could say yes, but no… I rarely bother to temper chocolate. I just melt it in the microwave with a little bit of shortening.
Jen, what brand of white chocolate do you use? My choc doesn’t seem to look that white. They are gorgeous!
Hi, Lynda – It’s been a while since I wrote that post, so I’m not exactly sure what I used. However, I often buy Nestle white chocolate chips. Hope that helps!
A squeeze bottle is a great tip for making drizzling easier. The white chocolate drizzle on those strawberries looks just perfect, better than a lot of the ones I’ve seen in the stores!
Love this! Squeeze bottles rock. And I love the contrast of white chocolate on brown. So, so gorgeous :)
As a diehard proponent of the squeeze bottle, I give you a STANDING OVATION for this maneuver. Plastic bags are for hacks.
There. I said it.
I’ve used a squeeze bottle for other things…definitely the way to go! :) They look terrific.
this would work for me anyday of the week!! sounds like the perfect way to spend V-day with your “sweetie”.
Ahhhh – this is brilliant. I’m guilty of the plastic bag abuse. This is so much better!
You do have a perfect drizzle going on there. I’m going to have to take your advice to heart:-)
LOL. You got me! Why didn’t I think of that? I keep three squeeze bottles int he kitchen at all times and yet when reading this I couldn’t help but think what an awesome idea. Thank you for the tip! I can’t wait to try it :)
Beautiful photos! My biggest challenge is always filling the dang bottle!
I should have posted this tip, too… If you microwave the chocolate, try melting it in a glass liquid measuring cup with a pour spout… Then, just pour it right into the squeeze bottle! No mess :)
thank you was looking for this …didn’t know how to put melted chocolat in bottle without making a mess..awsommmmme tip
Jen I’m so sorry! I was here yesterday and forgot to leave a comment. I am bad.
I hope you are doing well. Your blog looks more beautiful all the time and I’m happy to see you are still doing Share our Strength.
And these strawberries and your drizzle look beautiful.
Laura
Those are some good looking strawberries and treats… you make it look so easy.
Ahh…so pretty!
I’ve used the squeeze bottle for drizzling melted chocolate, too. Definitely better than a bag. You can partially fill a mason jar with hot water and rest the squeeze bottle in it when you’re not using it. That keeps the chocolate in the bottle from hardening too quickly. The rim of the jar keeps the bottle from falling over. Your strawberries look beautiful!
What a great idea! I cannot wait to show my students your trick. We are going to have such a good time.
I’ve never used my squeeze bottles for chocolate….you are so smart. And your drizzling is PERFECTION!
I’m guilty of using the plastic bag! I’m always afraid to use the squeeze bottles because I’m afraid they will be so hard to get clean! You’ve convinced me though… I’m going to pick up a few.
Lori – Just soak the squeeze bottles in warm soapy water and then use the sprayer on your sink and they will come clean in no time. :)
Love this post! Thanks so much Jen!
Perfect! I should give this squeeze bottle method a try.
Efficient…and delicious at the same time!
Great idea! I made some chocolate covered strawberries for the Superbowl and my white football lines didn’t turn out to well…which i would have known this tip sooner!
I think you can melt the chocolate in the bottle as you do with the bags.
Joan – Yes, you could melt the chocolate in the bottle. However, there are some health concerns with toxins from plastic getting into food, especially when microwaved. So, for that reason, I always opt to use a microwave safe glass bowl/measuring cup and transfer the plastic to the bottle.
Do you give permission for people to PIN your things on Pinterest?
Kathy – Yes, I do allow others to pin my things on Pinterest… I just ask that you don’t copy the text of the blog post into the description field on Pinterest. Thanks!
Wish I had seen this earlier today when I made a mess drizzling some St. Patrick’s Day Oreo Truffles!
Great tips on drizzling and beautiful pictures. I am sharing these on my Weekly Rays of Sunshine: http://www.tumbleweedcontessa.com/blog/weekly-rays-of-sunshine-4/
I always use a spoon. Dunk the spoon in the chocolate and drizzle that wy. Totally fool proof!!
Thank you so much for the squeeze bottle tip!! Worked great! So much easier–thanks, again!
In your origInal tutorial it would have of been great if you said how to melt the chocolate. Melting in the bottle gets the bottle very hot.
OMG. This is perfect. I have been baking for years. I will never do it another way. Thank you! ;)
tried the plastic bottles and the chocolate gets stuck in the tiny hole at the top…..now tried drizzle spoon and the chocolate pours too thick..thanks
What are the amounts (or ratio) of white chocolate chips to shortening you used?
Thanks for your reply and help!!