Making homemade gifts for the holidays is a heartwarming and inexpensive way to show others we care. I like to make Chocolate covered strawberries, chocolate covered apples with crushed candy canes, and even homemade chocolates wrapped in food safe bags with big bows. The apples and strawberries must go in the refrigerator, and the chocolate may also be kept in the frig until you are ready to wrap it for a gift. Just let it come to room temp, then wrap.

Here are the basic ingredients you’ll need to make Chocolate Covered Apples:

Large Roma Apples, take off stem

Sticks for the apples, I have used wooden chop sticks

Candy canes for crushing

good quality Dark chocolate chips for melting  

Food safe bags

Bows or bakery string for tying

Directions for Chocolate Covered Apples with Crushed Peppermint: (a step-by-step video is on my Instagram @marioochcooks)

Start with one large fresh Apple. Wash and dry it completely. Insert the stick into the core.  

Next, Melt enough chocolate to completely cover the apples including where the stem was intact. I do about three large handfuls of chocolate chips for two apples. I work things in small batches, so it’s easier to use the microwave,  but be watchful so that the chocolate doesn’t burn. Do it in 20 second increments and stir in between. I use paper bowls to make clean up easy!

Alternatively, you may also place a metal bowl, filled with the chocolate chips, over a pot filled with hot water, with heat on low. This will properly temper the chocolate. You can melt chocolate in larger batches this way. Either way you choose, be sure to keep stirring the chocolate to keep it smooth, and lump free. 

Note: I find dark chocolate great to work great for these types of gifts. I haven’t had as much success with milk chocolate, it’s very thick and doesn’t glisten like the milk chocolate. But feel free to experiment. I do like the white chocolate as an added garnish to dark chocolate covered strawberries or even dark chocolate covered apples in lieu of the candy canes.

Once chocolate has cooled just a bit, Take the apple and twirl in the bowl of melted chocolate. Using a spoon drip the chocolate at the top of the apple  and let it run down the sides. Once the apple is evenly coated with the chocolate, place it on a small baking sheet that will fit inside the frig. Be sure to line with parchment paper.

Then crush your candy canes and place a few small handfuls on the top of the apple. (or you may drizzle the white chocolate on the apple instead). 

Once the apple sets in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, wrap each apple in food safe bags, and secure with a twisty. Be sure NO air gets in the apple to ensure maximum freshness. Place in the refrigerator for up to one week. Don’t forget to add decorative ribbon when you present the gift!

Here are the basic ingredients you’ll need to make chocolate candy with crushed peppermint also known as chocolate bark for the holidays: (a step-by-step video is on my instagram @marioochcooks)

Candy canes (or nuts, cranraisins etc.)

good quality dark chocolate chips

food safe bags and bakery string

parchment paper for cooling and setting

Directions for Assembling chocolate candy:

Start by melting the chocolate as you read above. Next, smear the chocolate onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Add the crushed candy canes. Place in the freezer to set the chocolate. It should set in 30 minutes. Break into pieces. Place in an air tight container or zip lock bag and store in refrigerator for maximum freshness. Any air or moisture will make the chocolate have white spots.

When you are ready to gift the chocolates, take it out of the refrigerator and let it come to room temp. Then place it in a food safe bag and add a decorative ribbon!

Note: you may dip strawberries into the dark chocolate in lieu of apples, set these onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and place in the refrigerator. You can take them out and assemble them and cover. They are good up to two days but for maximum quality it’s best to make these fresh! I like to drizzle the white chocolate on these. You can pipe the chocolate using a piping bag that makes the lines very uniform and it gives it a more professional appearance. 

Most of all folks, have fun with the process of creating homemade goodies for the holidays!!!!

Happy Holidays!