Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Who doesn't love chocolate covered strawberries?!?...Because I love love love them!!!  They might just be one of my favorite type of dessert/guilty pleasure/snack to eat.  What I love about them is the crunch of chocolate from the outside combined with the soft texture from the strawberries on the inside yummm!  I covered the strawberries in dark chocolate then sprinkled them with crushed up Smarties on the outside for more flavor and texture. I like to use dark chocolate when making them because it adds a nice contrast of bitterness to go with the sweet flavor from the strawberries. 

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

8 ounces dark chocolate
1 Tbsp vegetable shortening
20-30 strawberries, washed and dried
(Optional: 1/4 Cup crushed Smarties for decoration)

1) In a small saucepan over a bowl of simmering water, melt chocolate and shortening until smooth
2) Stick a toothpick into the top of each strawberry, then by using the toothpick to hold the strawberry, dip each berry into the chocolate mixture until evenly coated all over except for the leaves
3) While chocolate is still warm on the strawberry, sprinkle with crushed Smartie pieces evenly over each strawberry
4) Lay each berry on parchment paper to cool, then place in fridge until chocolate is set then enjoy!