How to Make Chocolate Strawberry Turkeys – A Fun and Festive Holiday Treat

Chocolate strawberry turkeys are a creative and adorable Thanksgiving twist on classic chocolate covered strawberries. These fun turkey-shaped treats are perfect for impressing guests and getting kids involved in holiday cooking. With just a few simple ingredients like strawberries, chocolate pretzels and marshmallows you can make a batch of these charming chocolate turkeys.

In this detailed guide, I’ll walk you through the entire chocolate strawberry turkey making process, from ingredients and tools to dipping techniques and storage tips By the end, you’ll be able to create a tray of beautiful chocolate turkey strawberries to enjoy on Thanksgiving or any festive fall occasion

Overview of Chocolate Strawberry Turkeys

A chocolate strawberry turkey is a regular strawberry that is decorated and dipped in chocolate to resemble a miniature Thanksgiving turkey Here are the basic components that make up this creative dessert

• Strawberry – The base of the turkey is a fresh, clean strawberry. Large strawberries work best.

• Pretzel sticks – Snapped pretzel sticks form the legs and thighs of the turkey.

• Marshmallows – Halved mini marshmallows attach the pretzel thighs to the strawberry body.

• Chocolate – Melted chocolate coats the entire turkey and helps attach the legs. Both dark and white chocolate are used.

• Toppings – Sprinkles, coconut, crushed nuts are optional to decorate the turkey feathers.

When assembled together, these ingredients create turkey-shaped treats that look impressively intricate but are surprisingly easy to make. Kids will love helping decorate the chocolate turkeys!

Ingredients Needed to Make Chocolate Strawberry Turkeys

The ingredients needed for chocolate strawberry turkeys are probably already in your pantry. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Strawberries – Look for large, fresh strawberries with the stems still attached. You’ll need 1-2 per turkey.

• Pretzel sticks – Thin pretzel sticks work best as legs. Break them in half.

• Marshmallows – Mini marshmallows cut in half lengthwise make the thighs.

• Chocolate – Milk, dark or white chocolate chips or candy melts. About 12 oz total.

• Coconut oil – 1 tsp helps thin out the melted chocolate.

• Toppings – Sprinkles, crushed nuts, coconut, etc for decoration (optional)

Make sure your strawberries are dry before decorating. Now let’s go over the helpful tools for easy decorating.

Useful Tools for Chocolate Strawberry Turkeys

Having the right tools makes the process of decorating and dipping strawberries much easier:

• Toothpicks or skewers – Insert into the top of the strawberry for dipping into chocolate.

• Double boiler – Useful for gently melting chocolate. Can also melt in short bursts in the microwave.

• Small spatula – Helps stir melted chocolate and remove excess.

• Squeeze bottle – Makes drizzling white chocolate details easy.

• Parchment paper – Provides a nonstick surface for the dipped berries to set up.

• Cooling racks – Allows excess chocolate to drip off and speeds cooling.

• Wax paper – Another nonstick option that’s handy for chocolate work.

Let’s dive into the fun process of decorating the strawberries and transforming them into turkeys!

How to Decorate Strawberries into Turkeys

Here are step-by-step instructions to decorate plain strawberries into cute chocolate turkeys:

Make the Legs and Thighs

1. Cut pretzels – Break pretzel sticks in half. The length depends on your strawberry size.

2. Cut marshmallows – Slice mini marshmallows lengthwise to get sticky halves.

3. Attach – Attach a marshmallow half to the top of each pretzel stick half. The sticky marshmallow acts as the thigh.

4. Set aside – Do this for all your pretzel stick legs, making pairs.

Attach Legs to Strawberries

1. Melt chocolate – In a double boiler or microwave, melt chocolate chips with a bit of coconut oil.

2. Dip marshmallow end – Dip just the marshmallow thigh part into the melted chocolate.

3. Attach to strawberry – Stick the chocolate-covered marshmallow to the side of the strawberry to attach the leg.

4. Hold – Hold in place for 30 seconds so the chocolate sets and adheres.

5. Repeat – Repeat with the other leg on the other side. Let set.

Coat Strawberries in Chocolate

1. Insert skewer – Insert a toothpick or skewer into the top or stem end of the strawberry.

2. Dip in chocolate – Dip the entire strawberry into the melted chocolate while holding the skewer.

3. Shake off excess – Gently shake off any excess chocolate drips.

4. Set on pan – Set on a parchment paper lined pan and remove skewer.

5. Repeat – Coat all strawberries the same way. Refrigerate 10 minutes to set chocolate.

Add White Chocolate Feet

1. Melt white chocolate – In a double boiler, melt white chocolate or candy melts.

2. Dip feet – Holding the strawberry by the stem, dip just the feet ends of the legs in white chocolate.

3. Set – Set on parchment paper to let chocolate set, about 5 minutes.

4. Drizzle details – Use a squeeze bottle to drizzle white chocolate in stripes onto the body.

5. Add decorations – While chocolate is still wet, sprinkle on any decorations.

And that’s it! Now you have professional looking chocolate strawberry turkeys ready for Thanksgiving dessert.

Dipping and Decorating Tips

• Chill strawberries before decorating so legs stick better.

• Use toothpicks to attach any decorations for extra hold.

• Add some corn syrup to the melted chocolate for a glossy finish.

• Leftover chocolate can be remelted and reused. Just add a bit of oil.

• Work in small batches so the chocolate doesn’t harden before dipping.

• For best results, use real chocolate instead of candy melts if possible.

• Consider drizzling the plate or board with white and dark chocolate for presentation.

Storing and Serving Chocolate Turkeys

The chocolate coating keeps these strawberry turkeys fresh for 2-3 days when stored properly:

• Fridge storage – Keep chilled in an airtight container in the fridge.

• Separate layers – Place parchment or wax paper between chocolate turkey layers.

• Room temperature – Remove from fridge 30 minutes before serving if desired.

• Garnish platter – Surround turkeys with fall leaves, nuts, or cranberries for a seasonal presentation.

• Dessert spread – Offer with an array of pies, cakes, cookies for a stunning Thanksgiving dessert table.

• Kids’ activity – Let children help with decorating and they can take their creations home!

Chocolate strawberry turkeys make for a fun activity the whole family will enjoy. The end results are sure to impress any Thanksgiving guests. Follow this guide for foolproof chocolate turkey strawberries!

Common Chocolate Strawberry Turkey Questions

What chocolate should I use for the turkeys?

Milk, dark, and white chocolate all work well. Real chocolate chips or candy melts provide the best consistency for dipping and decorating.

How do I thin out chocolate for dipping?

Adding just a teaspoon of coconut oil to melted chocolate helps make it perfectly smooth and thin for dipping strawberries.

Can I make them ahead of time?

Yes, chocolate strawberry turkeys can be made 1-2 days in advance. Just store chilled in an airtight container.

How do I keep the chocolate from melting?

Working in small batches and refrigerating the dipped berries helps the chocolate stay firm and not melt.

What else can I use to decorate them?

Crushed Oreos, graham crackers, candy eyeballs, sugars and sprinkles all make great turkey decorations.

Chocolate strawberry turkeys are sure to be the highlight of any Thanksgiving dessert spread. They take classic chocolate covered strawberries up a notch with fun shapes and festive decor. Follow this guide forpicture perfect chocolate turkey strawberries that kids and adults will gobble right up!