13 Chocolate Dipped Treats So Easy You Can Make Them in an Afternoon

There is a moment of pure magic when you dip something into warm, melted chocolate and watch it come out glossy and perfect. Chocolate dipped treats are some of the easiest sweets you can make, and they look like they came from a fancy candy shop. With the holidays coming, they also make wonderful homemade gifts. Grab a bowl of chocolate and let us start dipping..

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Nothing says love quite like a juicy strawberry wrapped in a crisp shell of chocolate. They are the most famous of all chocolate dipped treats, and the secret to great ones is simple: the berries must be completely dry. Drizzle white chocolate on top for a classic look. Would you make these for a date night, a party or just for you?

You will need: You need: 1 pound large strawberries, 8 ounces semisweet or dark chocolate, 1 teaspoon coconut oil, 2 ounces white chocolate (optional), parchment paper.

How to make it: Wash the berries and dry them completely, then let them reach room temperature. Melt chocolate and coconut oil in 30 second bursts, stirring often. Hold each berry by the leaves and dip, letting the extra drip off. Set on parchment. Drizzle with melted white chocolate and chill 20 minutes.

Chocolate Dipped Pretzel Rods

Sweet and salty is a winning team, and pretzel rods are made for dipping. Coat them in milk, dark or colored candy melts, then roll them in sprinkles, crushed nuts or toffee bits. Stand them in a jar for a party or wrap them in bags for teacher gifts. Quick poll: A) sprinkles, B) nuts, C) toffee, D) plain chocolate?

You will need: You need: 24 pretzel rods, 12 ounces chocolate or candy melts, 1 teaspoon coconut oil, sprinkles, chopped nuts or toffee bits.

How to make it: Melt the chocolate with coconut oil. Pour into a tall glass. Dip each rod two thirds of the way and let the extra drip off. Roll in toppings or sprinkle them on. Lay on parchment and chill 15 minutes until set.

Sprinkle Dipped Shortbread Fingers

Buttery shortbread fingers get one end dipped in chocolate and covered in colorful sprinkles. They are so pretty on a holiday cookie tray, and kids love helping with the sprinkle part. The dough has just four ingredients. These chocolate dipped treats keep for a week in a tin. What color sprinkles would you use?

You will need: You need: 1 cup butter, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 2 cups flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 6 ounces chocolate, sprinkles.

How to make it: Beat butter and powdered sugar, then mix in flour and salt. Roll into a rectangle 1/2 inch thick and cut into fingers. Chill 20 minutes. Bake at 325F for 18 to 20 minutes. Cool fully. Dip one end in melted chocolate and roll in sprinkles.

Half Dipped Butter Cookies

Plain butter cookies become bakery style with one quick dip in dark chocolate and a sprinkle of chopped nuts or coconut. Store bought cookies work perfectly if you are short on time. Arrange them on a pretty plate and nobody will know. Chocolate dipped treats like these are a smart last minute dessert. Store bought or homemade: what is your style?

You will need: You need: 24 butter cookies, 6 ounces dark chocolate, 1 teaspoon coconut oil, 1/4 cup chopped nuts or shredded coconut.

How to make it: Melt the chocolate with coconut oil. Dip half of each cookie and let the extra drip off. Lay on parchment and sprinkle with nuts or coconut while still wet. Chill 15 minutes until set.

Chocolate Dipped Dried Orange Slices

Thin orange slices baked low and slow turn into sweet, chewy, stained glass rounds. Dipped in dark chocolate, they taste like a fancy European candy. They also look beautiful on a holiday cheese board. These chocolate dipped treats take time in the oven, but almost no work. Have you ever tried orange and chocolate together?

You will need: You need: 3 oranges, 2 tablespoons sugar, 6 ounces dark chocolate, flaky sea salt.

How to make it: Slice the oranges very thin. Lay on lined trays and sprinkle with sugar. Bake at 200F for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, flipping once, until dry. Cool. Dip half of each slice in melted chocolate, sprinkle a little salt and let them set.

Frozen Chocolate Dipped Banana Pops

Frozen banana pops are a sweet treat that feels a little healthier. Banana halves on sticks get frozen, dipped in chocolate and rolled in toppings. The frozen fruit turns creamy, almost like ice cream. They are perfect for kids and easy to customize. What topping would you roll them in?

You will need: You need: 4 ripe bananas, 8 popsicle sticks, 8 ounces chocolate, 1 tablespoon coconut oil, toppings like crushed nuts, coconut, sprinkles or granola.

How to make it: Peel and halve the bananas and push a stick into each. Freeze on a lined tray for 2 hours. Melt chocolate with coconut oil. Dip each banana, let the extra drip off and roll in toppings. Freeze 15 minutes more. Keep in the freezer.

Chocolate Caramel Apples

Halloween and fall fairs are not complete without caramel apples, and a chocolate coat makes them even better. Crisp apples get dipped in caramel, then chocolate, then rolled in nuts or candy pieces. Cut them into slices to share. Would you choose classic caramel, chocolate or the double dip?

You will need: You need: 6 crisp apples, 6 sticks, 11 ounces caramels, 2 tablespoons milk, 8 ounces chocolate, chopped peanuts or toffee bits.

How to make it: Wash and dry the apples very well and push in sticks. Melt caramels with milk and dip each apple. Let set on parchment for 15 minutes. Dip in melted chocolate, roll the bottom in nuts and chill until firm.

Homemade Chocolate Dipped Cherries

Chocolate covered cherries with a sweet, liquid center are a Christmas classic in many homes. The trick is a fondant coating that slowly turns into syrup inside the chocolate shell over a few days. Make them early in December and they will be perfect by the holidays. Who in your family loves these?

You will need: You need: 1 jar (10 oz) maraschino cherries with stems, 2 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons corn syrup, 1 cup powdered sugar, 8 ounces chocolate.

How to make it: Drain the cherries and dry on paper towels for 2 hours. Mix butter, corn syrup and powdered sugar into a dough. Wrap a small piece around each cherry and chill. Dip in melted chocolate, set on parchment and chill. Store 2 days so the centers turn syrupy.

Chocolate Dipped Stuffed Dates

Soft dates filled with peanut butter or almond butter and dipped in chocolate taste like a candy bar, but they are made with simple whole foods. A drizzle of white chocolate makes them look gourmet. They are a sweet snack you can feel good about. Have you tried the date candy bar trend?

You will need: You need: 16 Medjool dates, 1/3 cup peanut butter or almond butter, 16 almonds or peanuts, 6 ounces dark chocolate, 1 ounce white chocolate, flaky salt.

How to make it: Slit each date and remove the pit. Fill with nut butter and press in a nut. Freeze 20 minutes. Dip in melted dark chocolate and set on parchment. Drizzle with melted white chocolate and sprinkle salt. Chill until firm.

Chocolate Fruit and Nut Clusters

Drop spoonfuls of melted chocolate on parchment, then top each with nuts, dried cranberries and a pinch of salt. Ten minutes later you have pretty clusters that look like they came from a candy shop. They are the fastest of all chocolate dipped treats and perfect for gift boxes. Which nut is your favorite?

You will need: You need: 8 ounces dark chocolate, 1/2 cup almonds, 1/2 cup walnuts or hazelnuts, 1/3 cup dried cranberries or cherries, flaky sea salt.

How to make it: Melt the chocolate. Drop tablespoons onto a lined tray, spreading into circles. Press nuts and dried fruit on top. Sprinkle with salt. Chill 20 minutes until hard. Store in a cool place.

Homemade Chocolate Dipped Cones

You know the ice cream shop cone with a crisp chocolate shell? You can make it at home. A simple mix of chocolate and coconut oil hardens in seconds on cold ice cream. Dip the whole scoop or just the rim of the cone, then add sprinkles. Would you choose a dipped cone or a sundae?

You will need: You need: 1 cup chocolate chips, 3 tablespoons coconut oil, ice cream cones, vanilla ice cream or soft serve, sprinkles.

How to make it: Melt chocolate chips with coconut oil until smooth and cool to room temperature. Scoop firm ice cream into cones. Quickly dip the top into the chocolate and turn upright. Add sprinkles right away. The shell sets in about 30 seconds.

Chocolate Fondue Night

Fondue turns dessert into a party. A pot of warm, smooth chocolate sits in the middle of the table with a platter of fruit, marshmallows and cookies for dipping. Everyone builds their own chocolate dipped treats, one bite at a time. It is perfect for family game night or New Year. What would you dip first?

You will need: You need: 8 ounces dark chocolate, 3/4 cup heavy cream, 1 teaspoon vanilla, pinch of salt, strawberries, bananas, apples, pineapple, marshmallows, pretzels.

How to make it: Heat the cream until steaming and pour over chopped chocolate. Stir until smooth. Add vanilla and salt. Pour into a fondue pot or a warm bowl. Cut fruit into bite size pieces and arrange around the pot with skewers.

Chocolate Dipped Biscotti

Crunchy almond biscotti with one side dipped in chocolate are made for dunking in coffee or hot cocoa. They are baked twice, which makes them crisp and long lasting, so they ship well as gifts. For more gooey fall sweets, see these caramel desserts. Which of these chocolate dipped treats will you make first?

You will need: You need: 2 cups flour, 3/4 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 3 eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 cup almonds, 6 ounces chocolate.

How to make it: Mix flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Stir in eggs, vanilla and almonds. Shape into two logs and bake at 350F for 30 minutes. Cool 10 minutes, slice 1/2 inch thick and bake 10 minutes per side. Cool and dip one side in melted chocolate.