A few days ago I got a text from my friend Sarah (and fellow food blogger) at 2am. It was a picture of a ring, and said simply “wanna plan a wedding?”
In my half-asleep state, I didn’t fully process the message and just rolled back over in bed. It wasn’t until I woke up the next morning and checked my phone again that I realized what Sarah was getting at. Guys, she’s engaged!!!
I’ve been waiting for this to happen for ages, so I’m pretty thrilled. Sarah and her BF are two of my favorite people, and are the cutest couple ever, so it’s impossible not to be excited for them!
So, I made these chocolate covered bride and groom strawberries in honor of Sarah’s engagement. She won’t actually get to eat them (Dan devoured every last one), but I’m hoping it’s the thought that counts…Sarah, if you come visit me I’ll make these for you any time! PS: CONGRATULATIONS, GIRL!
CASCAL NATURAL SOFT DRINK GIVEAWAY!
Now, what better way to celebrate love than to give away some free stuff? Thanks to the good folks at Cascal**, one lucky winner will win a case of Cascal’s new natural soft drinks. Never heard of it? Well, y’all are in for a treat! Not only are these sodas bubbly and delicious, they’re also sugar free, gluten-free, caffeine-free, and low cal (only 60-80 per can!). They come in 5 equally delicious flavors, and are perfect alone or mixed into cocktails. My personal favorite was the Ripe Rouge, and Dan liked the Bright Citrus, but you’ll definitely want to try them all.
- To enter the giveaway, simply visit Cascal’s website and leave me a comment telling me what flavor you most want to try.
- To earn up to THREE bonus entries, do one (or both!) of the following and leave me separate comments telling me what you did:
(1) Subscribe to my blog via email or RSS feed, using the icons on the top right side of the blog (if you are already subscribed, leave a comment saying that!).
(2) Like Just Putzing Around the Kitchen on Facebook.
(3) Follow Just Putzing Around the Kitchen on Twitter. - Giveaway will end at 5pm next Sunday, August 19th.
** I received no compensation for this post, other than samples from Cascal. All opinions regarding this product are entirely my own.
Chocolate Covered Bride and Groom Strawberries
Ingredients:
- 16 strawberries, rinsed and dried (If you can find them, the big ones with the stems attached are best. Sadly, my store only has those on V-Day)
- 8 oz white chocolate
- 8 oz semi-sweet dark chocolate
- Milk
Directions:
- Line a baking sheet with wax paper.
- Break white chocolate into pieces and put the pieces in a ramekin or cup, along with 1-2 tbsp milk. Microwave for 30-40 seconds, then stir to smooth out the mixture. Continue zapping the chocolate in the microwave in 10-20 second intervals, as needed.
** Be careful not to let the chocolate get too hot/burn. You’ll just end up with a lumpy mess. If your chocolate starts to look kind of oily/curdled, dribble a little more milk into the mixture and stir until it smooths out. - Dip half of your strawberries completely into the white chocolate mixture, and gently rotate to coat. Remove gently, twirling each strawberry as you pull up, and carefully place them on the wax paper/baking sheet. Set aside.
- Dip one side of the remaining strawberries in white chocolate, and place on the baking sheet. Stick everything in the fridge or freezer to harden, at least 20-30 minutes.
- Break dark chocolate into pieces and put pieces in another ramekin or cup, along with 1-2 tbsp milk. Microwave for 30-40 seconds (more if needed), and stir until smooth.
- Pull previously dipped strawberries out of the fridge/freezer.
- Take the 8 strawberries that only got one side dipped in white chocolate, and get ready to dunk them in the dark chocolate mixture. You want to create a V-shape with the dark chocolate that mimics the lines of a suit/tux, so dip the two sides of the berry immediately adjacent to the white chocolate coating at an angle into the melted dark chocolate. Gently remove the berry and place back on the baking sheet.
** This step is easiest if your strawberries have stems you can hold on to. But, I found that skewering my stemless berries from the top-down with a bamboo skewer works just as well. - Spoon remaining white and dark chocolate into separate ziplock sandwich bags, and snip off a tiny piece from one of the corners.
** If your chocolate has hardened, add a little milk and stir vigorously until liquefies/smooths out. - Pipe dark chocolate bow ties onto the white “shirt” area of each groom berry, and little white chocolate pearls and buttons onto the “dresses” of each bride berry.
** You can also dip the tip of your bamboo skewer into the chocolate and try to paint on the details, but piping is easier. - Chill/freeze dipped strawberries for another 30 minutes, or until ready to serve.
- Enjoy immediately, with a glass of bubbly!
Ooo! I love the sound of the crisp white! Pear? Apricot? Yes please.
Also – you’re the sweetest ever. Can’t wait to plan our weddings together now!
<3
I want to try the berry cassis! Currant + citrus sounds awesome.
I am also a fan on FB!
I think the Bright Citrus sounds wonderful!
Bright Citrus, please!
I liked you on FB
I am already subscribed-love reading your blog!
Id like to try berry cassis– i just got engaged too and these would be fun for my bridal shower!
Congratulations!
what a gorgeous celebratory treat!
xo
http://allykayler.blogspot.ca/
Ripe Rouge sounds good!!!!
Thanks 🙂
crisp white sounds awesome!
Berry Cassis!
I’d love to try bright citrus
demureprincess7(at)gmail(dot)com
I’d like to try the Bright Citrus!
I would like to try the Berry Cassis flavor
I liked you on facebook 🙂
Also subscribed
Those chocolate strawberries make my mouth water, and are absolutely adorable! I would most like to try the lemongrass flavor because I’m a sucker for anything pineapple.
Ripe Rouge paired with asiago cheese sounds delicious.
Love to try Apricot.