Chocolate covered strawberry popsicles are perfect for a summer treat!
Chocolate covered strawberries are probably my favourite dessert ever. I always forget how much I love them until the option of having them for dessert presents itself, I want nothing more. I love the juicy pop of strawberry and the snap of dark chocolate as as I take a bite. Back in my undergrad, I used to work for Edible Arrangements and I was primarily their chocolate dipper and I thought I’d get sick of them by now, but if anything, it’s made me love them more.
I’ve dipped thousands and thousands of strawberries by now, and I fall in love with each perfect swirl from the tail of drizzled chocolate that’s twirled around the berry. I love the look of them in a box in mini cupcake or candy wrappers, with that smooth chocolate sheen they get with good, tempered chocolate (BTW above, not properly tempered chocolate but I’m over it).
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Popsicles
Ingredients
- 6 cups strawberries washed and hulled
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/4 cup agave nectar maple syrup, or sugar syrup (adjust according to how ripe your strawberries are. The mixture should taste a little sweeter than you would normally like because it'll contrast better with dark chocolate that way)
- 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate dairy-free to keep it vegan
- 1 tsp coconut oil
Instructions
- Use a blender to purée the strawberries, lemon juice, and your choice of sweetener. Divide among popsicle moulds and freeze (mine took about 4 hours).
- To make the chocolate coating, use a short and narrow glass that is wide enough for you to dip in your popsicles. If the glass is too wide and you'll have to spend time dunking both sides of the popsicle in and you may drop some melted strawberry purée in and cause the chocolate to seize. Microwave for about 30 seconds, stir well, then another 15 seconds (the chocolate chips may not look melted yet). Stir until chips are fully melted and let the chocolate cool until it's just barely warm, stirring occasionally.
- Release the popsicles from the mould and work quickly to dip them all in the chocolate before they start to melt. You may want to keep half of them in the freezer while you work with the first half to be safe.
- Dip them in the chocolate, shake off a little but of the excess, and place on a lined sheet. Pop them back in the freezer to set the chocolate. Enjoy!
- If you're not going to eat these within the next couple days, store them in an airtight container and separate the popsicles with parchment paper. This prevents them from freezer burn from sticking together.
Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet says
Lisa, this is such a great post because I believe loneliness is something a lot of people struggle with. I can be in a room full of people and feel lonely. Luckly that is where my faith kicks in and takes hold of that for me. Online Blog Conference Community has been a place where I can go and be with people who are experiencing the same things I am in this crazy world of blogging!
Julie says
Food blogging is hard! And lonely. As much as I’ve loved working from home for the past year I’ve found I have to get a job outside of my house. I need the socialization, the drama from co-workers :), and basically get out of my house. I never thought I would be sick of my house, but truly I am. I feel your pain and I’m glad OBC has given you some connections. This will be my third one and just love them!
Lisa Le says
I totally miss co-worker drama sometimes haha. I’m so glad you’re back to join us for year 3, Julie!
Aimee says
These sound amazing! Hope I win the ticket. :)
Lisa Le says
Good luck, Aimee!
Kristy @ She Eats says
Lisa! Holy crap. 2 things:
1. I literally just moved back from moving to Toronto 2 years ago. It was the loneliest, worst, most depressed and awful experience of my life. I met people, had “friends” there, lots of professional food writing and pr opportunities. And I … hated it. I just moved back West (to Vancouver) and it’s like I’ve been reborn. There’s hope, and laughter and dancing around the apartment in my undie-pants. Girl….. life is too short. Do what you gotta do to be happy.
2. I am literally (two literallys!!) making berry pops this weekend, dipped in chocolate. hahahaha. We must be on the same path or something! Though mine will be boozy. Because that’s how I roll yo!
If you ever need company or to chat, email me. Seriously. I know the feeling.
xo!!!
Lisa Le says
Toronto is such an odd city: if you find your niche of people, it’s a blast. Especially if you’re not financially challenged like I am because life in TO is expensive. But unless you have close friends whom live close to you, it is pretty awful. I’m so glad you’re happier now =) Underwear dancing (heck I naked dance) is always a good time. With the windows closed in Toronto anyway… y’know busy streets and all haha.
Also I contemplated adding booze to these but when I was making the recipe I totally forgot haha. It’d probably make them less ice-crystal-y though.
Thanks so much for taking the time to read and comment =) I’ll keep you in mind if I ever feel lonely!
Sondi says
Lisa, I totally understand how you’re feeling. I’m from Toronto, but have been living in Vancouver for more than a decade. I love it here, but most of my family is in T.O. and even though I have my hubby, it’s still hard. I also work from home, and it can be challenging to get out there and socialize with people, especially those who don’t understand the food blogging/entrepreneurial life. There are no easy answers. Having an online community definitely helps, but I’ve also been reaching out to people who live in my neighbourhood as much as I can. I find actually picking up the phone and calling people helps too, not just texting or emailing.
And your strawberry pops look delicious! Can’t go wrong with anything dipped in chocolate, methinks.
Lisa Le says
Thank you so much for commenting and reading, Sondi. Honestly it feels very comforting to know that I’m not alone. I agree, the phone really helps, but sometimes I wonder if my handful of friends whom I call on the regular are sick of me yet haha. Except my mom, she’s just stuck with me =P
La Cuisine d'Helene says
I can relate to what you are going thru. I left work 10 yrs ago and we moved from province to province leaving friends, family behind. Blogging helped me a lot because I met people online but like you, I needed to meet people face to face. I started volunteering and never looked back. I have done so many different volunteer jobs and met amazing people. Right now I am a hockey manager, I work at the food bank and also at the Arts center. Some weeks it’s crazy with the blog but I needed to go out and do other things than blogging. I did not want to go back to work 9 to 5 so I found other ways to meet people. And you are right that food blogging is hard work because it involves much more than sitting down at a computer and writing a post. Not many people get that.
Lisa Le says
Wow that’s amazing! I’m so glad you volunteer a lot, and a hockey manager? That sounds interesting! I volunteer for a couple places too to meet people and to have somewhat of a routine, but I’m glad you too understand the balance of working and having face-to-face people time (that sounds weird haha).
Raj @ www.ThePrimalDesire.com says
Lisa,
This is interesting. I’ve just been wondering about this very thing. I’m a new blogger and was wondering what a “normal” day in the life might look like in a few years. I imagine the ideal situation would be to connect with other local food bloggers and actually meet up in coffee shops or whatnot. Bounce around the city to different locations.
I appreciate your insight and am looking forward to my first FBC conference in the fall.
Lisa Le says
As much as I identify as a food blogger, that’s not the only thing I do. My job now enables me the freedom to work from home and often it includes food photography or food writing so it’s almost the same kind of work that I do for JSA, but yes. It can be lonely. I’ve seen coffee shops and businesses thrive on people who work from their shops instead of from home just to be around people haha.
It might be different if you have a family though (not sure if you do). I spend a lot of time alone because I just have a roommate and my partner is in another city. =P
Anna says
Hi Lisa,
I stumbled upon your blog and must say it’s wonderfully put together!
The things you write about loneliness are interesting and easily relatable. Like you, I’m surrounded by lots of friends and I have a really close relationship with my brother, but once in a while I feel really lonely. I think this feeling is emotional loneliness because I’ve been single for a long time and want a deep and personal connection that friendship usually doesn’t satisfy. It’s great that you have Chris, although you aren’t physically together. Do you plan to live in Toronto in the future?
Katie @ Produce on Parade says
Lisa! You are seriously a real life professional with regards to chocolate dipped fruit, so that works out well, haha! I’m jealous. I know what you mean about being lonely. I am incredibly introverted and usually find myself longing to be alone or just have more time with just Todd and myself. Especially after a busy day of patients. However, once alone (Todd has frisbee tonight), I find myself incredibly lonely. I don’t have a lot of friends, only a few and they now live in other states. So, I can relate. Methinks you should move up to Alaska…it’s only a short jaunt from Canada! ;)
Lisa Le says
Haha I would totally come visit you if I lived on the West coast (Chris is actually really keen on going to Alaska). I’m glad but also sad that I’m not the only one who feels lonely. =(
Jamie @ At Home Baristas says
Love the combination of chocolate and strawberries! Need to try these!
rin says
This looks hard to make. but i will try it to make (x lets see how far i go. But i really want this to taste :'(
Lisa Le says
It’s super easy to make =) I hope you like it.