How to Make: Chocolate Covered Strawberry Christmas Trees

Little Boy #1 found this cute little Chocolate Covered Strawberry Christmas Tree project in his clubhouse magazine this month. He begged to make them, and even though I knew I would be cleaning ground up sprinkles out of the my kitchen tile grout until next Christmas, I gave in because, well… it’s CHRISTMAS! #embracethemess #justhisonce

 

But really this was super fun to do with the boys and really didn’t get too out of control. I helped them each make a few trees one at a time, and I let them pick which color sprinkles and star they wanted to decorate with.

The little stars on top are from a local specialty candy store, and they really complete the look of the tree. I think you could find something similar in the baking supply section of a hobby store as well. If you are not able to find them nearby, you can order theme here . I only used the white ones for my trees, but the boys liked the colorful ones

Toothpicks are a helpful tool when you are dipping and handling the strawberries before the candy coating has set. You’ll notice that I used a white icing on top of the Oreo to adhere the tree to it’s base. You can simplify this step by just opening the Oreo and setting the tree on the frosting already inside. I had trouble separating the Oreos in a way that left all the frosting intact. Guess I didn’t have enough practice as a kid?

I would also recommend not planning on keeping these cute little guys around before eating them for more than a day. Because of the moisture in the strawberry, things can get a little soggy.

Here’s Little Boy #2 with his finished creation. “Take a picture of me with my trees in front of the Christmas tree and put it on your blog, Mom.”

Okay, will do.

Ingredients:

• 12 ounces dark green candy melts (found at Hobby Lobby or Michael's)
• 1 pound of strawberries, stems removed
• 24 Oreo cookies
• White Icing
• Sprinkles
• Candy Stars (found at a specialty candy store in multicolor, but I used only white ones here)

ICING

• 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 3 tablespoons heavy cream
• Add water by the teaspoon and whisk until the desired consistency is reached. You want it to be thick like toothpaste.

Directions:

1. Set a heat proof bowl over a small pot of simmering water on the stovetop (double boiler). Slowly melt the candy melts in the bowl, stirring occasionally. Do not allow moisture to come in contact with the candy.
2. Spoon or pipe a small amount of icing onto the top of each Oreo. This will adhere the strawberry to the cookie base.
3. Once candy melts are fully melted, turn the heat to low while you dip the strawberries using a toothpick inserted into the cut end.
4. Shake off excess candy coating gently. Using a second toothpick inserted into the pointed end of the dipped strawberry, carefully place the strawberry on top of the icing on the Oreo.
5. Decorate with sprinkles and a candy star while the candy coating is still wet. It will usually dry in about 10 minutes.