Pumpkin Patch Strawberries are a fun and festive treat that combines the fresh sweetness of strawberries with a rich coat of chocolate, decorated to look like little pumpkins. The smooth chocolate shell adds just the right touch of indulgence, while the bright orange color and tiny green stems make them perfect for fall celebrations or Halloween parties.
I love making these because they bring a bit of playfulness to dessert time. It’s such a simple idea but adds a big wow factor when you dip the strawberries in orange-colored chocolate and then draw on little pumpkin faces or leaves. It’s also a nice way to get my kids excited about eating fruit, as they love helping with the decorating and, of course, eating their creations.
These pumpkin-shaped strawberries work great as a sweet snack after school, a party dessert, or even as a holiday centerpiece. I usually place them on a platter with some nuts and cheese for a casual fall gathering. They’re easy to make ahead too, so I can have them ready to enjoy whenever the craving hits or when guests arrive.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Strawberries: Pick large, fresh strawberries with the green stems left on. The stems make them easier to dip and give a natural “pumpkin stem” look. If strawberries aren’t in season, try using large cherry tomatoes for a similar effect, though the taste will differ.
Orange Candy Melts: These create the pumpkin color and easy coating. You can swap with white chocolate mixed with orange food coloring if candy melts aren’t available. Just melt gently to avoid seizing.
Chocolate Chips: Milk chocolate chips work well for dipping and decorating. Mini chocolate chips are perfect for making pumpkin faces. Dark or white chocolate chips can be used based on your flavor preference or dietary needs.
Chocolate Cookie Crumbs: These create a dirt-like base for display. Crushed Oreo cookies or any chocolate wafer cookies do the trick. For a gluten-free option, use crushed chocolate gluten-free cookies.
How Do You Make Smooth Pumpkin Ribs on the Chocolate-Covered Strawberries?
Creating pumpkin “ribs” gives the strawberries their pumpkin shape and adds detail. Here’s how to get nice smooth lines without breaking the chocolate coating:
- Right after dipping the strawberry into orange candy melts, while the coating is still soft, use the blunt side (back) of a toothpick or the tip of a butter knife.
- Gently press vertical lines from the bottom toward the green stem, spacing them evenly around the strawberry.
- Don’t press too hard to avoid breaking the chocolate layer; a light touch is enough to create grooves.
- Let the strawberries sit on parchment paper to firm up before adding chocolate chip faces.
This step works best if you quickly dip and then immediately add ribs, as the coating firms up fast. It helps to keep your toothpick clean so your lines stay smooth.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Microwave-safe bowls – perfect for melting candy melts and chocolate smoothly.
- Toothpicks – great for making pumpkin ribs and placing tiny chocolate chip faces.
- Parchment paper – helps strawberries set without sticking to the surface.
- Fork or piping bag – easy tools for drizzling white chocolate over the dipped strawberries.
- Serving plate or tray – for arranging the strawberry pumpkins on the crushed cookie “dirt” base.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Use white chocolate instead of orange candy melts for a white pumpkin look, then add green or brown icing for stems.
- Try dipping some strawberries in dark chocolate and sprinkle with crushed nuts for a crunchy contrast.
- Add cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice to the melted orange chocolate for a subtle fall flavor twist.
- Mix mini marshmallows or edible googly eyes on some pumpkins for a fun spooky effect.
How to Make Pumpkin Patch Strawberries (Chocolate-Covered)?
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For The Strawberries:
- 15-20 fresh large strawberries with green stems intact
For The Chocolate Coatings:
- 1 ½ cups orange candy melts (or white chocolate tinted with orange food coloring)
- ½ cup milk chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ¼ cup white chocolate chips (for drizzling)
- 30-40 mini chocolate chips (for pumpkin faces)
For The Base:
- Crushed chocolate cookies or chocolate cookie crumbs (to create the “dirt” bed)
Time You’ll Need:
This recipe takes about 20-30 minutes to prepare and decorate, plus an additional 15-30 minutes to allow the chocolate coatings to set. You can speed up the setting by placing the strawberries in the refrigerator.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Clean and Dry The Strawberries:
Start by gently washing the strawberries and drying them completely with paper towels. It’s important they are completely dry so the chocolate sticks well and doesn’t clump.
2. Melt The Orange Candy Coating:
Using a microwave-safe bowl, melt the orange candy melts in 30-second bursts. Stir well between each until smooth. If you’re using white chocolate, melt and add orange food coloring to get the pumpkin color.
3. Dip The Strawberries and Create Pumpkin Ribs:
Hold each strawberry by its green stem and dip it into the melted orange candy melts, turning to coat evenly. Let the excess drip off. Immediately after dipping, use the back of a toothpick or a knife tip to gently press thin vertical lines around the strawberry to mimic pumpkin ribs. Place each coated strawberry onto parchment paper to set.
4. Add Pumpkin Faces:
While the orange coating is still tacky, gently press 3 mini chocolate chips onto each strawberry for the eyes and 1 for the nose to create cute jack-o-lantern faces.
5. Prepare Chocolate Drizzled Strawberries:
In a separate bowl, melt the milk chocolate chips. Dip some strawberries halfway into the milk chocolate and place them back on parchment paper. Melt the white chocolate chips and then use a fork or piping bag to drizzle white chocolate in thin stripes over the milk chocolate-coated strawberries for a pretty contrast.
6. Let The Chocolate Set:
Allow all strawberries to set completely at room temperature or speed up the process by placing them in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes.
7. Create The Dirt Bed and Arrange:
Before serving, spread crushed chocolate cookies evenly on a serving plate to look like soil. Arrange your decorated pumpkin strawberries and drizzled chocolate strawberries upright on this “dirt” bed to create a festive pumpkin patch display.
Enjoy your festive and tasty Pumpkin Patch Strawberries — a perfect sweet treat for fall celebrations!
Can I Use Frozen Strawberries for This Recipe?
It’s best to use fresh strawberries because frozen ones release water when thawed, which can cause the chocolate coating to seize or not stick properly. If you only have frozen strawberries, thaw them completely and pat dry very well before dipping.
How Should I Store Pumpkin Patch Strawberries?
Store the strawberries in a single layer in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep them fresh and prevent melting or smudging of the chocolate. They’re best eaten within 1-2 days for optimal freshness.
Can I Substitute Candy Melts with Colored White Chocolate?
Yes! You can melt white chocolate and tint it with orange oil-based or powdered food coloring (not water-based) to get that bright pumpkin hue. Just melt gently to avoid overheating or seizing.
What’s the Best Way to Make the Pumpkin Ribs on the Strawberries?
Right after dipping the strawberry in the orange chocolate, use the back of a clean toothpick or a butter knife tip to gently press thin vertical lines all around the berry. Do this when the coating is still soft but starting to set for the best grooves.