Copycat Chocolate Covered Pineapple

One of my besties sent me a box of chocolate covered pineapple slices from Edible Arrangements, which is there the inspiration for this Instructable came from. You wouldn't necessarily think that chocolate covered pineapple would be good, but oh-my-god it's probably better than any other dipped fruit. I ate the entire box in 2 days--the only reason they lasted so long was because I was trying to exercise restraint. I failed.

Edible Arrangements can be a bit pricey, so I decided to try and make my own :) Chocolate covered fruit makes an excellent Valentine's Day treat.

Pineapple (fresh is probably best)

Semi-sweet chocolate (1 bag should be good)

Cookie cutters (optional)

Wax paper

Cookie sheets

Shredded coconut, sprinkles, nuts, etc. (for topping, optional)

Begin preparing your pineapple by slicing off the top and then slicing the skin off. Then I turned the pineapple on its' side and sliced 1/4-1/2" slices and put on a cookie sheet and stuck in the freezer for a couple hours. Freezing the pineapple slices makes it easier to work with when cutting out shapes with cookie cutters or adding the chocolate.

If you want sprinkles, nuts, coconut, etc. on your pineapple, now is the time to get them ready. You won't have a lot of time to successfully add toppings once the fruit has been coated and begins to harden.

Edible Arrangements doesn't specify what brand of chocolate they use, only that they use white chocolate and a semi-sweet chocolate. So really, the chocolate you use depends on your preference. I used a Ghirardelli semi-sweet baking bar.

Chop up the chocolate to help it melt quicker and then put in a double boiler over low-medium heat, stirring occasionally.

When the chocolate is ready, you can turn off the heat. Begin dipping your pineapple pieces in the chocolate, coating both sides and then laying back on the cookie sheet you've been using. Add toppings immediately after each slice is dipped. I found that wax paper is much more successful than a wire rack as the chocolate will immediately start to cool and will harden to the wire, breaking the shell when you try to remove it.

Refrigerate (or freeze) your pineapple slices for an hour or so to solidify the chocolate and then you are good to go!

I've been saving the box my birthday fruit arrived in specifically for this Instructable. My husband will be so happy to toss it in the recycling bin now :)