I swear, it’s baby season. It’s that time of the year when I get flooded with invites for baby showers, baby parties, and christening. Not that I’m complaining because I love babies! One nurse colleague once told me that the months of August, September, and October are rife with anything baby related because apparently the mums and dads were quite busy 9 months before (eg. December). I’m not about to go through the mechanics of child conception but you get my drift, ya?

So anyways, babies.

This month we were going from one baby shower to another christening. The past few weekends were filled with baby related stuff, and I’ve seriously ran out of gift ideas. Trust me. From Pumpkin Patch to the kids and baby sections in Target, Myer, Ikea, and David Jones? I was there. Suffice it to say that I have spent more money buying baby gifts than shopping for myself… hence the secret plan of world domination of going to DFO later today to spend some much needed cash. MOOWAHAHAHA!

Yesterday was one of the said christening of little baby Isaac. Now bear with me, but Isaac is Mr J’s sister’s bestfriend’s son. Got it? No? Good. Nevertheless, Isaac’s mum requested her bestfriend (Mr J’s sister) to bring some chocolate dipped strawberries, but Mr J’s sister admittedly can’t cook or bake or do anything in the kitchen. She knows that and was so worried about the strawberries, but luckily Mr J and I were having lunch at their place and I pretty much raised my hand and took full responsibility of the strawberries.

100 strawberry skewers!

The mum specifically instructed the skewers to be in this order: white chocolate dipped strawberry, a marshmallow, and a dark chocolate dipped strawberry. So… ok then. (Imagine her during her wedding… bridezilla much? Ahh but we love her to bits, so anyways.)

White Chocolate Dipped Strawberry

Dark Chocolate Dipped Strawberry

After impaling 14 punnets of strawberries and making 100 skewers, Mr J’s mum asked if she could make some for this party they were attending the day after. Because there were still some left over strawberries and chocolate, I let her take over and she totally got engaged in the whole dipping business.

Sprinkled Strawberries

She wanted sprinkles on her strawberries, and I think it was a great touch for the little kiddies in the party. You know how it is with kids: the livelier the colours, the better! She was laughing while making the strawberries and said she totally enjoyed the whole process! It was so much fun sitting there in the boy’s parent’s dining table, giggling and “cooking” with his mum like we’re old friends exchanging stories and gossiping. If this is what my future with the boy’s family would be, then I’m all set!

Chocolate drying

The strawberry skewers were an instant hit in the party, both with the parents and the kids. I think it was a great addition to the dessert table, and a good way for kids to eat fruits (although of course, there’s the added chocolate attraction, but anyway!). I enjoyed making these as it was oh so therapeutic, and wouldn’t mind doing it again for another party!

Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

3 punnets strawberries

3 packets of chocolate melts (dark, milk and white, or depending on your preference)

500g marshmallows

Skewers

Greaseproof paper

1. Put the strawberries in the fridge overnight. Do not take them out only until before you start dipping them in the chocolate to ensure they stay cold.
2. Melt the chocolate in the microwave. I microwaved mine for 120 seconds in 30 second intervals. Ensure that the chocolate does not burn by stirring the chocolates together in between the 30 second intervals.
3. Dip the strawberries in the warm chocolate, impale with a skewer, alternate with a marshmallow, and set down on a flat platter lined with greaseproof paper.
4. The chocolate will take a few minutes to harden – once hard, carefully lift the strawberries off the paper and on to another platter. The chocolate should lift off easily; if the chocolate is still soft (or dripping), leave on the paper for a few more minutes.

Transporting these was a walk in the park too. Given that the car temperature’s right, you can pile the skewers on top of each other and just leave inside the fridge at the venue until before serving them. If it gets warmer though, the chocolate will melt and the strawberries will stick to each other – so just be very careful with this.

Otherwise, ENJOY!