Strawberry Sparklers

Being a kid in the summer on the 4th of July is about as good as it gets. The freedom of having no school, a long warm sunny day, a cookout with endless amounts of food and fireworks that you hope will never end. Independence Day is a favorite family holiday! Showing patriotism through food is a fun way to share the holiday and celebrate with your kids.

The first kids cooking school I created at Blackberry Farm was for the 4th of July. I like to teach things that are fun and simple to make and that are a delightful treat for all ages. Strawberry Sparklers have become a tradition for our 4th of July cooking classes. Not only are they delicious to eat but they make a great garnish at a picnic or a BBQ.

When speaking of a Strawberry Sparkler many think of it as a drink, but in my world of cooking with kids, it is a plump red strawberry dipped in white chocolate and then the tip is dipped in edible blue sugar or blue sprinkles.

How do you make them? You will need:
A bowl of fresh strawberries, washed
A small bowl of melted white chocolate
A ramekin of edible blue sugar or sprinkles
Parchment paper

Then,
One-by-one, dip the strawberries halfway into the melted chocolate and then one quarter of the way into the blue sugar or edible glitter.

Place on the parchment paper to dry. Enjoy!

Helen DeFrance, cookbook author

Being a kid in the summer on the 4th of July is about as good as it gets. The freedom of having no school, a long warm sunny day, a cookout with endless amounts of food and fireworks that you hope will never end. Independence Day is a favorite family holiday! Showing patriotism through food is a fun way to share the holiday and celebrate with your kids.

The first kids cooking school I created at Blackberry Farm was for the 4th of July. I like to teach things that are fun and simple to make and that are a delightful treat for all ages. Strawberry Sparklers have become a tradition for our 4th of July cooking classes. Not only are they delicious to eat but they make a great garnish at a picnic or a BBQ.

When speaking of a Strawberry Sparkler many think of it as a drink, but in my world of cooking with kids, it is a plump red strawberry dipped in white chocolate and then the tip is dipped in edible blue sugar or blue sprinkles.

How do you make them? You will need:
A bowl of fresh strawberries, washed
A small bowl of melted white chocolate
A ramekin of edible blue sugar or sprinkles
Parchment paper

Then,
One-by-one, dip the strawberries halfway into the melted chocolate and then one quarter of the way into the blue sugar or edible glitter.

Place on the parchment paper to dry. Enjoy!

Helen DeFrance, cookbook author