Glazed Strawberries

(c) 2007 Elizabeth LaBau, licensed to About.com, Inc.

Glazed strawberries are fresh berries coated with a shiny candy shell, and they make a gorgeous decorative addition to a fruit platter, fruit tart, or berry cake. They are also delicious on their own, and this glazing recipe can be used to coat orange slices, grapes, or a variety of other fruits. Be aware that this candy should be enjoyed within an hour or two of preparation, because the moisture of the fruit quickly makes the candy shell become sticky.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup
• 1 lb fresh strawberries, stems on

Preparation:

1. Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with aluminum foil and spraying the foil with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Wash the strawberries and dry them carefully.

3. Prepare an ice bath by placing ice and cold water in a bowl large enough to hold your intended saucepan.

4. Combine the sugar, corn syrup and water in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Insert a candy thermometer, and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.

5. Continue to cook, without stirring, until the temperature reaches 300 degrees on the candy thermometer. During this process, which can take from 10-20 minutes, wash down the sides of the saucepan occasionally with a wet pastry brush to prevent crystallization.

6. Once the candy has reached 300 degrees, remove the pan from the heat immediately, and immerse the bottom in the prepared ice bath to stop it from cooking any further.. Do not let the ice water get into the candy!

7. Once the candy has stopped cooking (look for the bubbles to stop rising from the bottom of the pan), you can begin to dip your berries. Holding a strawberry by the stem, dip it until it is almost submerged in the candy. Be careful not to touch the candy, as it is very hot and can cause dangerous burns. Remove the berry from the candy and allow the excess to drip off the end. Turn it a few times to ensure excess candy is removed, then place it on the prepared, oiled baking sheet.

8. Repeat with remaining berries and candy. Allow the candy to set at room temperature, and serve berries within an hour or two of their preparation.

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Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

Happy Valentine's Day! If you're looking for a last-minute treat, how about romantic Chocolate-Covered Strawberries? They're one of the simplest candies to make, so there's no excuse not to wow your valentine with some chocolate-covered bliss. Seriously, if you can press the "start" button on your microwave, you can make these. Figuring out how to uncork the champagne bottle is totally up to you, though.

If you're ready to branch out a little more and stretch your chocolate-covered wings, try this recipe for Marbled Strawberries. The concept is the same, only instead of dipping the strawberries in plain chocolate, you first swirl together a mix of white and dark chocolates, and then dip. Brilliant!

But maybe you have a formal occasion to attend, and nothing but the most smartly dressed candies will do. Then may I suggest Tuxedo Strawberries? Wearing their Sunday best, these dark and white chocolate-covered berries look completely adorable grouped together on a serving platter. Just make sure they're not out-dressing you when you present them to your beloved.

Click here to view all Valentine's Day candy recipes

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Strawberries Photos c2011 Elizabeth LaBau, licensed to About.com, Inc.

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Chocolate Covered Strawberries

(c) 2011 Elizabeth LaBau, licensed to About.com, Inc.

Chocolate covered strawberries make an easy and elegant candy dessert. You can substitute white or milk chocolate for semi-sweet, or experiment with double-dipping the strawberries in different chocolates to vary the flavor and appearance.

Be sure to check out the video showing how to make chocolate covered strawberries!

Prep Time: 10?minutes

Total Time: 10?minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 dozen ripe strawberries
• 1 cup chopped chocolate (preferable) or good-quality chocolate chips

Preparation:

1. Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with aluminum foil.

2. Wash the strawberries and dry them thoroughly.

3. Place the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave until it is melted, stirring after every 30 seconds. Overheated chocolate gets thick and hard to work with, so it's important to keep a careful eye on the chocolate. Remove it when some pieces are still not melted, and stir until they melt. If you are using low-quality chocolate chips, you might need to add a little vegetable shortening to thin it out and make it easy to work with.

4. Holding a strawberry by the stem, dip it in chocolate, twirling it in a circular motion to evenly cover most of the berry. As you lift it from the chocolate, twirl it so that any excess chocolate drips back into the bowl.

5. Place the berry on the prepared baking sheet and repeat with remaining berries and chocolate.

6. Once all of the berries are dipped, refrigerate them for 30 minutes to set the chocolate. These candies taste best when eaten the same day they are made.

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Balsamic Glazed Strawberries

If you thought balsamic vinegar was only good for making salad dressings and tripping up small children in spelling bees, think again. This tangy kitchen staple is actually a delicious addition to candies, like these Balsamic Glazed Strawberries. I know it sounds a little strange, but hear me out.

If you've ever enjoyed putting strawberries in your dinner salads, then you know that the sweet, juicy berries pair very well with a bit of acidity like vinegar. This candy takes that pairing a step further by coating fresh berries in a shiny, crunchy sugar glaze made with balsamic vinegar. The syrupy vinegar is already a bit sweet on its own, so it seems natural to add it to a sweet syrup. After the berries are dipped in the glaze, the candy hardens, forming a crunchy shell that practically explodes when you bite into it, leaving you with a mouthful of crunchy, tangy candy and juicy, fruity berries. It's an odd pairing that completely works.

The skewers are optional, but they seemed like a fun way to make fresh "strawberry pops" during the summer. If you're not a pops person, use your glazed strawberries as cupcake or cake toppers, shower treats, or after-dinner desserts. Just don't wait too long, because the juice from the berries will soon turn your crunchy glaze into a sticky puddle!

Get the recipe: Balsamic Glazed Strawberries

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Balsamic Glazed Strawberries Photo c2011 Elizabeth LaBau, licensed to About.com, Inc.

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