Chocolate Recipe For Candy Molds

HOMEMADE FILLED CHOCOLATES

Steps:

• CHOCOLATE MOLD
• On low heat place the 5 ounces of dark chocolate (I did half and half) (broken into pieces) in a small-medium bowl over a pot of water (make sure bowl does not touch the water). Melt until smooth, stirring often with a fork or whisk. Remove from heat, let cool down (10-15 minutes).
• Then coat the chocolate molds swirling it around (I used a pastry brush to fill in the empty spots) and then tip it over to empty out the excess chocolate (I let it drain for approximately 5-10 minutes over a cookie rack), place the mold in the freezer for approximately 10 minutes, remove and coat one more time with the melted chocolate. This time refrigerate while making the Chocolate Filling.
• CHOCOLATE FILLING
• Chop the white chocolate (or milk chocolate) into small pieces, mix together with the powdered sugar, in a small saucepan heat to hot but not boiling the cream, and pour over the white chocolate mixture, stir until smooth (you may have to place the bowl over a pot of boiling water if it doesn't completely melt).
• Let sit approximately 15-20 minutes until cooled and thickened. Remove the mold from the fridge, place the chocolate filling in a pastry bag (or use a small spoon) and fill the molds 3/4 full, tap mold down a few times on counter top to remove air bubbles, top with remaining melted dark chocolate, and again tap mold lightly on counter top to remove air bubbles remove excess chocolate with a spatula and refrigerate 30 minutes to 1 hour until firm. Remove chocolates carefully from mold and serve. Enjoy!
• Keep stored in cool dry place, in air tight containers. I actually made mine in advance and froze them.

CHOCOLATE CANDY MAKING AND MOLDING: HOW-TO TIPS

Steps:

• 1. If you are playing around with chocolate molding, or getting to be a real pro at it (and very addicted) it's very important to know that you used the best ingredients. Skimping here and there affects the taste and presentation of your gift!
• 2. The biggest and most important chocolate Candy Making How-To tip: use THE best chocolate, pure vanilla, heavy whipping cream, candy coloring, candy flavorings, and other candy making supplies you can find. When you know you used the best, the praise you receive means even more.
• 3. Candy Making How-To Tip 1 - Melting - Microwave Guittard molding chocolate in 30-second intervals using microwave safe bowls, stir in-between to distribute the heat, in order to avoid scorching the chocolate. Keep chocolate at a constant temperature to produce a smooth, professional look. You can purchase a griddle, or use your stove top and frying pan. Lay two towels on the pan or griddle before placing the chocolate filled plastic bowl.
• 4. Candy Making How-To Tip 2 - Chocolate and water don't mix! Chocolate is oil based. Oil and water don't mix. Avoid any contact with water, including a freshly washed mold or tool - dry them first!
• 5. Candy Making How-To Tip 3 -Truffle Ganache (center) - When making your ganache filling for your truffles, make sure the heavy whipping cream you use is at room temperature, to avoid 'freezing up' the chocolate.
• 6. Candy Making How-To Tip 4 - Cooling - For faster cooling of the chocolate and for that fine, professional, finished look, put your mold, filled with warm chocolate, in the freezer, and dipped items in the refrigerator. Be sure do to this before they start to harden up, or the chocolate will look a bit foggy instead of shiny.
• 7. Candy Making How-To Tip 5 - Cleaning up - Pour leftover chocolate onto a piece of waxed paper and let cool so you can break and re-melt later. For the squeeze bottles - squeeze out leftover chocolate and place squeeze bottle in freezer. When frozen, squeeze the bottle to crack the chocolate so it comes out easily. Wash everything with hot water and then towel dry instead of air dry. Do not use soap with the molds because the residue will make it so the chocolate will not easily leave the mold the next time you use it. Don't throw away the mold when you are done! Make molded crayons! Take off the wrappers of the crayons, microwave in a paper bowl or cup for 4-5 minutes until melted. Pour into mold, you can use solid colors or swirl the colors together. Put in freezer for 15-20 minutes. Makes a great gift.
• 8. Candy Making How-To Tip 6 - Candy colors, oils, and flavors - Make sure these are oil-based so no water gets in your beautiful creation. When coloring the chocolate, don't use too much color or it will affect the taste and consistency of the chocolate. Make sure the vanilladoes not have added water; use the purest form. Use the candy paint brush or the painting/writing squeeze bottle to help you decorate!
• 9. Candy Making How-To Tip 7 - 3-D - Always clip the 3-D molds together withbulldog clips. They are the strongest, which leaves a cleaner line and less mess.
• 10. Candy Making How-To Tip 8 - Leftovers - After molding, always have a few things to dip in the left over chocolate. Pretzels, raisins, nuts, marshmallows, cookies, and dried fruits are all yummy when dipped in chocolate. If you have a lot of left over chocolate, it can be saved and re-melted next time you mold chocolate.
• 11. Candy Making How-To Tip 9 - Storage - Keep chocolate in a cool place. It is moisture sensitive and absorbs odors. Do not store chocolate in the refrigerator or freezer as it will pick up off-flavors and moisture.
• 12. Candy Making How-To Tip 10 - Don't get frustrated. If your first chocolates don't look as nice as the ones from the candy store, eat them anyway and try again! It takes some practice to master the dipping and molding skills, but you will get better the more you practice. In no time at all you will be turning out beautiful, professional-looking candies every single time.

BAKER'S CHOCOLATE CANDY

Steps:

• Microwave chocolate in small microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1 min. 30 sec. or until chocolate is almost melted, stirring every 30 sec. (The chocolate will retain their shapes until stirred.) Stir until chocolate is completely melted and smooth.
• Spoon chocolate into candy mold, filling each cup to top. Tap mold lightly on counter to remove air bubbles. Refrigerate 1 hour or until chocolate is set.
• Unmold candies; place in airtight container between sheets of waxed paper. Store in refrigerator up to 1 month.

EASTER CHOCOLATE EGGS MADE WITH A MOLD

Steps:

• Place 3/4 of the milk chocolate in top of a double boiler over simmering water. Stir frequently, scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula to avoid scorching, until chocolate is melted and has a temperature of 113 degrees F (46 degrees C), about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Stir in the remaining 1/4 of the milk chocolate. Stir well until smooth and chocolate has a temperature of 86 degrees F (30 degrees C).
• Spread 1 layer of chocolate evenly in the Easter egg mold halves using a pastry brush and refrigerate for 10 minutes. Remove from the refrigerator and add another layer of chocolate to each egg half. Chill for 10 minutes. Brush a third time with chocolate and chill for a final 10 minutes.
• Unmold egg halves carefully and trim the edges with a sharp knife. Brush the edges with a little melted chocolate, then carefully bring two halves together to form a single egg. Set back in the mold carefully and chill until set, 10 to 15 minutes.