Does Chocolate Covered Strawberries Need to Be Refrigerated?
Chocolate-covered strawberries are one of the easiest desserts to make, but they never disappoint. As this deliciousness is usually enjoyed in the summer, you might be asking yourself whether the gorgeous dessert needs to be refrigerated or not.
In a nutshell, it is recommended to keep the strawberries that have been covered in chocolate, in the refrigerator in an airtight container. This will help ensure that the chocolate does not melt and that the strawberries do not go bad.
For how long can chocolate-covered strawberries be left at room temperature and what is the proper way of storing the dessert in the fridge? Here is everything that you need to know.
Does Chocolate Covered Strawberries Need to Be Refrigerated?
There are two main reasons why you might want to keep your dessert in the fridge:
- So that the chocolate does not melt
- So that the actual strawberries stay fresh
Will Strawberries Covered in Chocolate Melt If Not Kept in Fridge?
Different types of chocolate have different melting points. The higher the percentage of cocoa butter and cocoa solids in the chocolate, the higher the product’s melting point.
White chocolate, for example, can melt completely at 98-109 degrees. Milk chocolate starts melting at 104 degrees and dark chocolate won’t become gooey until the room temperature reaches around 114 degrees Fahrenheit.
No matter what type of chocolate you decide to coat your strawberries with, it is recommended to keep the dessert in a dry, cool place. Never place the strawberries under direct sunlight as they will immediately melt.
Will Strawberries Go Bad If Not Kept in the Refrigerator?
Another reason why you might want to keep your chocolate-covered strawberries in the fridge is because the berries can go bad if kept at room temperature for too long.
If the strawberries have been washed and cut, you should not store them outside the fridge for more than 2 hours. If the berries are already soft and overripe, you should try not to leave them outside of the refrigerator at all.
Though whole strawberries might be kept outside the fridge for up to 24-48 hours, it is not recommended to do that once you’ve got the berries covered in chocolate as you won’t manage to notice any signs of spoilage.
When Do Strawberries Covered in Chocolate Not Need to Be Refrigerated?
If you’re debating whether or not to put your delicious chocolate-covered strawberries in the fridge, remember that it’s always better to keep the desert refrigerated.
With that being said, there might be certain situations when putting the strawberries in the fridge won’t be necessary. For example, if you’re planning on consuming the dessert within an hour after making it, you can leave the strawberries out at room temperature.
If the place where you live is not particularly warm and humid (or if you have the air-con running in your house), then the dessert might stay fresh for up to a day. However, do make sure that the strawberries are not lying under direct sun rays, and try to find an extra cool place if you have used white or milk chocolate.
When storing the strawberries on your countertop, place them a few inches from one another and cover them loosely with foil. This will allow the berries to ‘breathe’ and you will be able to avoid moisture buildup on the dessert.
How to Store the Dessert in the Fridge
To properly store your strawberries covered in chocolate, lay down a few paper towels at the bottom of an airtight container and place the berries loosely on the towel.
An airtight container is not ideal for storing strawberries as it traps moisture, but, at the same time, it will help prevent the dessert from absorbing various odors from your fridge. If there is nothing else in your refrigerator, you can carefully cover the dessert with foil instead of the container’s cover.
Tip: sprinkle a bit of baking soda right on the paper towel (it will help absorb the moisture). Don’t forget to put a second paper towel on the soda as you don’t want your berries to touch it.
To transport chocolate-covered strawberries, place them quite loosely in a container and surround the container with frozen cold packs.
We have several articles on our website that are similar to the ones you are reading now like Best Way To Store Green Onions In The Refrigerator, How To Get Rid Of Fishy Odor In The Refrigerator and How To Get Rid Of Gnats In Refrigerator
How Long Does the Dessert Last?
This dessert will typically last up to 2 days in the fridge. You might want to throw it away earlier if you have noticed that the chocolate started to fall off or that the top of the berries has become mushy.
Tip: it is recommended to allow the dessert to slightly warm up before consuming it as the strawberries will taste better.
By the way, you can also freeze the dessert if you want. The yumminess can last up to 3 months in your freezer.
