For a quick treat, you can create delicious chocolates out of chocolates molds. These types of chocolate molds come in a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes, and they are perfect for baking chocolate cookies, brownies, and other confections. There are two main kinds of chocolate molds you can choose from: silicone, and plastic. They are both great for baking, but you will want to choose the right one for your needs.
Compound chocolate vs couverture chocolate
There are two types of chocolate, and knowing the difference between them is essential when it comes to your confectionery needs. It can be quite challenging to use the wrong kind, as it can make your product taste less desirable.
If you’re looking to create a gourmet confectionery recipe, there are two types of chocolate to choose from: compound chocolate and couverture chocolate. Both are made from cocoa butter and vegetable fats, but they vary in flavor, texture, and price.
Couverture chocolate is considered the better of the two types, with an unmistakable taste and a smoother, richer texture. The other type, compound chocolate, is more affordable and easier to work with. However, you should know that the latter does require tempering.
You may be wondering why you would want to use either compound or couverture chocolate. The answer lies in their different properties.
For starters, couverture chocolate is made from high-quality ingredients. This includes cocoa butter and a higher percentage of cocoa solids. Cocoa butter helps the chocolate to taste delicious and to be able to melt easily on your tongue.
Compound chocolate, on the other hand, contains less cocoa butter and is more affordable. It’s also less finicky. While it does not set as quickly as true chocolate, it will still harden and set after melting.
Regardless of what kind of chocolate you choose to use, remember to be careful when storing. If stored in warm or humid conditions, cocoa butter can begin to lose its stability.
In order to obtain the best results, you’ll need to take care when tempering your compound or couverture chocolate. During this process, you’ll need to heat the chocolate at least 3 to 5 degC above its melting point.
Couverture chocolate is often used to cover sweets and desserts, and is perfect for dipping strawberries. It is also perfect for coating things like cakes and cookies.
You can purchase both types of chocolate from several places. Besides, they can taste different depending on the source of the beans and how you handle them.
Silicone vs plastic
When you’re making chocolates at home, you have two main choices. You can use plastic molds, or you can use silicone. Both types have their advantages and disadvantages. Knowing the differences between the two can help you make the best choice for you.
Silicone is a synthetic material, and is similar to rubber. It is strong, durable, and comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. However, it is not biodegradable. This means that if you don’t dispose of it properly, it can end up sitting in a landfill for hundreds of years.
Plastic molds, on the other hand, are cheap and easy to use. But they are not as durable or flexible as silicone. They cannot be put in a hot oven, and are not suitable for freezing. Consequently, they are often flimsy, and it can be difficult to remove the finished product from them.
In terms of comparing the silicone and plastic for chocolate molds, you’ll find that the silicone is the better option. The silicone is non-stick, flexible, and resistant to heat, which makes it easier to peel the product out of the mold.
But, the silicone molds can be expensive, so you will need to be careful. Generally, you can expect to pay between $20 and $50 for a good silicone mold. Luckily, this price range is much lower than the cost of purchasing plastic molds. If you want to buy a silicone chocolate mold, it’s probably a good idea to get a large sheet, since it will save you time.
The silicone mold is also available in glossy or matte finishes. The glossy finish works best for high gloss ArtResin products.
In addition to being able to mold chocolate, you can also use silicone to make ice cubes, chocolate decorations, and other sweets. You can even use silicone to make fun candy bars. As long as you follow the instructions and store it in a cool, dry place, you can enjoy your new product for many years to come.
While silicone and plastic have some very similar properties, it’s important to know which is the best for your needs. There are some things to consider before buying any type of mold, including its size, shape, and whether it’s BPA-free.
Cooling before removing
If you plan to make chocolate, you may want to cool before removing it from the mold. This helps prevent breakage and makes it easier to remove it later. Chocolate is very sensitive to temperature. However, it is not always easy to know when it is properly cooled.
To cool chocolate, you can place it in the refrigerator or put it on a flat surface. It can take anywhere from 15 minutes to 30 minutes for the chocolate to cool. You can also freeze it. Cooling it this way will help the chocolate set faster and will make it easier to remove it.
When you’re ready to remove your chocolate, the best thing to do is to gently tap it on the bottom to release the air bubbles. After that, you can flip it over to a paper towel. Then, scrape the excess off using a pastry scraper or pallet knife.
While removing chocolate from the mold, it is important to note that you should not use soap or water. This can be detrimental to the flavor of the chocolate. Instead, you can use canola oil. Wiping the interior of the mold with canola oil will help the chocolate release from the mold.
You should also use a candy thermometer to ensure that the chocolate is properly cooled. Check it every few minutes to make sure it stays cool.
Another good idea is to purchase candy handling gloves. These are often available from kitchen stores or online retailers. They are designed to keep your hands from getting too cold while working with chocolate.
You can also use a heated candy melter palette to make the job of removing your chocolate more convenient. Afterward, you can polish the chocolate to make it shine more.
You can even freeze your molds to speed up the process of cooling. The temperature should be below 60deg F.
Once you have completed removing your chocolate, it is important to store it in a dry place. Keeping it in a refrigerator will cause condensation to form on the chocolate.
Decorating
If you are interested in making your own chocolate molds, there are a few steps you should take to get the job done. The first step is to prepare the candy molds by cleaning them.
Once the chocolate molds are clean and dry, you can paint the chocolate. This will add color and dimension. You can use a plastic bristle paintbrush for this.
For painting chocolate molds, you need to be careful. If you are not steady, you could end up with little dots on the candy. Use a paper towel to fix any mistakes.
During the paint process, you should avoid tapping the edges of the mold. This will cause the candy to pop out. Instead, tap lightly.
After painting the inside of the mold, you can use a small knife to cut away the excess candy. This will make the finished product look beautiful.
To finish the candy, you can place it in the freezer for a few minutes. You can then remove it and flip it over onto a piece of paper towel.
Chocolate molds are perfect for edible cake decorations. They can also be given away as gifts. You can decorate them with decorations and other embellishments to make them even more attractive.
Merckens Candy Coatings are a great option for decorating your chocolate molds. These coatings are very easy to work with and come in different colors. There are individual candy coatings available, but you can also purchase a rainbow mix bag.
Using a heated candy melter palette will help you do this task quicker. You can also add colored cocoa butter to the wafers to give them a colorful look. Adding a white coating can lighten the wafers.
You can also add dried fruits or nuts to the centers of your candies. You can also use different types of chocolate to create multiple layers of details.
Depending on how large your chocolate mold is, it may take several minutes to set. You can even leave it in the refrigerator for an extended period of time. However, it is important to remember that you do not want the candy to set for too long or it will break.
