writerelly82

· 16 Dec 2021

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How to melt chocolate chips

Chocolate can be melted using a variety of different techniques, and choosing the right method can really make or break your recipe. Melting chocolate chips can be tricky, so here are ten ways to do it properly. Choose the method that works best with your recipe, and you’ll be on your way to creating delicious desserts in no time!

Melting on stove
Place some chunks of chocolate in a small saucepan on medium-low heat. Stir frequently until melted. (If you’re using semisweet or dark chocolate, use low heat.) Make sure to stir often so that your chocolate doesn’t burn. Also, avoid microwaving—it can lead to seizing, which is when solid pieces of fat coagulate into larger masses and turn grainy and chalky once they cool back down.

Melting in a microwave
You can also use a microwave oven to melt your chocolate. Just place it in a microwave-safe bowl, and heat for 20 seconds at a time until it melts. This is great for melting small amounts of solid chocolate for dipping or for small recipes that call for melted chocolate. Because you are working with such a small amount, it takes very little time to do. You may have an easier time when melting your candy bars using other methods because of their size and shape.

Melt directly over hot water
If you’re adding melted chocolate directly into a recipe, say for a ganache or pudding, heat 1 inch of water in a saucepan over medium-high heat. The water should not be boiling, but rather very hot. Put about half of your semisweet or bittersweet bar on a sheet of parchment paper and place it on top of your saucepan with hot water below. Stir occasionally until smooth, about 10 minutes.

Using a double boiler to melt
A double boiler is a method for melting chocolate (or anything else) without overheating it. This can be done in a pot filled with water, or in a bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Be sure that any oil from foods you’ve previously melted isn’t present, as it will contaminate your new batch. Fill your bottom pot with two inches of water and bring it to boil on high heat.

Melt in conventional oven
Put chocolate in a glass or ceramic bowl. Heat on high for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Let it cool before trying to work with it. Melt in microwave: Put 2 oz of your favorite baking chocolate or bittersweet baking bars into a microwave safe bowl and heat at 30 second intervals until melted (approximately 1-2 minutes). You can also do 30 seconds on and 10 seconds off if you don’t want your chocolate super hot. Be careful when removing from microwave as some pieces may not have completely melted yet

Use warm water bath  to keep melted chocolate warm
Chocolate melts at a relatively low temperature, so you don’t have to work hard to keep it melted. A water bath is one of several different easy methods you can use.