Chocolate Strawberry Love Cups

Name: Chocolate Strawberry Love Cups
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 12 cups
Ingredients: 200g dark chocolate, chopped; 100g heavy cream; 1 tablespoon honey; 12 fresh strawberries, hulled; Whipped cream for topping; Mint leaves for garnish (optional)

Highlighted under: Cozy Dessert Classics

I absolutely love making these Chocolate Strawberry Love Cups when I need a sweet treat that's also a showstopper. Each cup is a delightful blend of rich chocolate and juicy strawberries, creating a perfect balance that's hard to resist. Whether it’s for a romantic dinner, a friend’s gathering, or simply a fun dessert night at home, these treats never fail to impress. I enjoy the process of crafting them, and they always bring smiles to everyone around me.

Created by

Ella

Last updated on 2026-01-25T16:45:28.210Z

When I first experimented with these Chocolate Strawberry Love Cups, I was aiming for a fun yet elegant dessert. I discovered that using high-quality dark chocolate really elevated the flavor and made the cups feel luxurious. The juicy strawberries create such a vibrant contrast in color and taste, which is always a crowd-pleaser.

Additionally, I found that chilling the cups for a bit before serving helps the chocolate to firm up nicely, ensuring that each bite holds its shape. This little tip makes them perfect for birthday parties or special occasions, as they hold their elegance when served.

Why You'll Love These Cups
Decadent chocolate fused with fresh strawberries
Beautiful presentation that’s perfect for gatherings
Easy to make yet impressive enough for special occasions

Crafting the Perfect Chocolate Base

The foundation of these Chocolate Strawberry Love Cups is the rich chocolate layer, which is achieved by melting dark chocolate with heavy cream. Using high-quality chocolate, preferably 70% cocoa or higher, intensifies the flavor and adds a glossy finish. Melt the chocolate slowly over simmering water, making sure to stir it gently until the mixture is smooth and cohesive. This technique prevents the chocolate from burning and ensures a creamy consistency that will perfectly envelop the strawberries later on.

Once melted, adding honey not only sweetens the mixture but also helps in achieving a smoother texture. While the mixture should be silky and pourable, be cautious not to overheat it. If the chocolate mixture becomes too hot, it may seize, becoming grainy and unmanageable. If that happens, gently stir in a teaspoon of vegetable oil or additional cream to restore its fluidity.

Mastering the Chocolate Cups

When pouring the chocolate into the cupcake liners, ensure you use a steady hand to fill each liner only about a third full; this allows enough space for the strawberries and additional chocolate. For the best results, line a muffin tin with liners, as it prevents the cups from tipping over while the chocolate sets. Make sure to refrigerate them for the first 10 minutes until they firm up; they should be glossy and slightly firm to the touch before adding the strawberries.

A common challenge in this step is the chocolate hardening too quickly while working. If you find the chocolate starting to set before you finish pouring, place the bowl over the double boiler briefly to warm it up again. Working efficiently ensures even distribution of chocolate, leading to beautifully formed cups that will impress anyone you serve them to.

Serving and Storing Your Creation

Once the cups have chilled and set completely, it's essential to add the strawberries upright. Using ripe but firm strawberries prevents them from collapsing into the chocolate. To garnish these cups, whipped cream is an excellent choice; its lightness contrasts beautifully with the richness of the chocolate. For an extra touch, I like to add a few mint leaves, which not only enhance the visual appeal but also introduce a refreshing note that complements the strawberries perfectly.

If you're planning to make these ahead of time, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. However, be cautious about the strawberries; they are best when fresh. If needed, prepare the chocolate cups a day before and add the strawberries right before serving to maintain their freshness and visual impact.

Ingredients

Gather the following ingredients to create your Chocolate Strawberry Love Cups:

Ingredients

200g dark chocolate, chopped
100g heavy cream
1 tablespoon honey
12 fresh strawberries, hulled
Whipped cream for topping
Mint leaves for garnish (optional)

Make sure to use fresh strawberries for the best flavor!

Instructions

Follow these simple steps to make your delicious Chocolate Strawberry Love Cups:

Prepare the Chocolate

In a heatproof bowl, combine the chopped dark chocolate and heavy cream. Melt over a double boiler, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in honey.

Form the Cups

Pour the melted chocolate mixture into cupcake liners, filling each about 1/3 full. Place in the fridge for 10 minutes to set.

Add Strawberries

Once the chocolate is set, place a hulled strawberry upright in each cup, then pour more chocolate over the top to fully cover the strawberries.

Chill and Serve

Return the cups to the fridge and chill for another 20 minutes. When ready to serve, top with whipped cream and garnish with mint leaves if desired.

Enjoy your delightful Chocolate Strawberry Love Cups!

Pro Tips

For an added flavor twist, consider infusing the cream with vanilla or a splash of liqueur like Framboise for an extra kick.

Variations to Explore

While this recipe focuses on the delightful combination of chocolate and strawberries, you can easily customize it with other fruits. Raspberries or blueberries provide a similar tartness that pairs beautifully with the rich chocolate. Alternatively, consider using dried fruit like apricots or figs for a different texture and sweetness. Just ensure that the fruits you choose are fresh and flavorful for the best results.

For chocolate lovers seeking variety, experiment with different types of chocolate, such as milk or white chocolate, to alter the flavor profile. Each variation offers a unique experience — milk chocolate will create a sweeter treat, while using a blend of dark and white chocolate provides both depth and creaminess.

Troubleshooting Tips

If your chocolate cups aren't setting properly after chilling, it could be that the chocolate wasn't melted hot enough or mixed well. Ensure you stir the chocolate mixture thoroughly to combine the cream and chocolate completely. If you're pressed for time, consider using a quick-set ganache using equal parts of cream and chocolate, which sets faster than regular tempered chocolate.

Another common issue is an uneven coating of chocolate over the strawberries. If this happens, simply heat a small amount of chocolate again until it's melted and drizzle it over the cups to fill any gaps. This will also help create a visually appealing swirl that instantly elevates the presentation.

Scaling the Recipe

Scaling this recipe is a breeze. If you want to serve a larger crowd, simply multiply the ingredients according to how many cups you need. Keep in mind that the chilling times may vary slightly as you may have a larger batch, so check the firmness before pouring the additional chocolate to cover the strawberries.

For smaller portions, using mini cupcake liners could also be a great way to create bite-sized delights. This makes them perfect for parties or gatherings where guests can indulge in a variety of desserts without feeling overwhelmed by portion sizes.

Questions About Recipes

→ Can I use milk chocolate instead of dark chocolate?

Yes, but note that it will be sweeter and may change the flavor profile.

→ How long can these cups be stored?

They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container.

→ Can I make these cups vegan?

Absolutely! Use dark chocolate that is dairy-free and substitute coconut cream for heavy cream.

→ What's a good alternative to strawberries?

You can try using raspberries, blueberries, or even diced kiwi for a different flavor.