1 pound large fresh strawberries, washed and dried thoroughly
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 teaspoon coconut oil or vegetable oil for a smoother finish
24 mini pretzels, broken into pieces for antlers
24 candy eyeballs
12 red chocolate candies or red round sprinkles for the nose
1/2 teaspoon alcohol-free vanilla extract
Instructions
Start by washing your strawberries under cool water. It is absolutely vital that you dry them completely with a paper towel afterward. If there is any moisture left on the skin, the chocolate will not stick and may seize up. Leave the green leafy tops on as they give you something to hold onto while dipping.
Place your chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwave safe bowl. Heat in 30 second intervals, stirring well between each session, until the mixture is completely smooth. Once melted, stir in the alcohol-free vanilla extract to add a lovely depth of flavor to the chocolate coating.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Hold a strawberry by its green stem and dip it into the melted chocolate until it is mostly submerged. Lift it out and let the excess chocolate drip back into the bowl before placing the strawberry onto the prepared baking sheet.
While the chocolate is still wet, take two pieces of broken pretzel and carefully press them into the top sides of the strawberry. These will act as Rudolph’s antlers. You may need to hold them for a second to ensure they stay upright as the chocolate begins to set.
Gently place two candy eyes onto the front of the strawberry. Below the eyes, add one red candy to serve as the iconic red nose. If the chocolate has started to harden too much, you can use a toothpick to dab a tiny bit of extra melted chocolate onto the back of the candies to act as glue.
Once all your strawberries are decorated, place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for about 15 to 20 minutes. This will allow the chocolate to firm up completely and ensure the decorations are securely attached before you serve them.
