Learn how to melt chocolate for dipping and drizzling. This easy tutorial shows easy steps for melting in the microwave or on the stovetop!
Follow along as I show you how to melt chocolate. Melting chocolate chips or a chocolate bar may seem like a no-brainer. Simply apply heat until liquified, right? Not so fast. Chocolate needs to be pampered so it doesn’t become grainy or burn. Learn how to avoid these common mistakes and attain molten, chocolatey goodness.
Melting chocolate is the first step in making chocolate mousse (yum!) all kinds of homemade treats and loads of other deliciousness like chocolate sauce and ganache frosting.
Tips for melting chocolate
- Go dry: Before starting, make sure your bowl and all utensils that will touch the chocolate are completely, totally, bone dry. Any stray droplets of water will create a chemical reaction with the sugar in the melting chocolate and make it grainy and lumpy. This is called seizing.
- Don’t cover up: Take a tip from master baker Rose Levy Beranbaum. In The Cake Bible, she warns not to cover the bowl or pan in which you are melting chocolate. Droplets of condensation might form and cause the chocolate to seize and become lumpy.
- Saved seized chocolate by adding hot water. Start with a tablespoon and whisk energetically. The chocolate will somewhat even out but never look as glossy as un-seized chocolate.
- Go low: Chocolate burns easily, so use the lowest heat you can get away with. White chocolate and milk chocolate are even more sensitive to heat than semi-sweet or dark chocolate. When microwaving white or milk chocolate, you might try tinier 15-second intervals.
- Chop even pieces: Break or chop whole chocolate bars into same-size pieces for even melting.
How to melt chocolate
- Place chocolate in a dry, microwave-safe bowl.
- Now put the bowl in the microwave and microwave in 30-second intervals.
- Stir the chocolate with a dry spoon or spatula in between each 30-second blast until all of the chips are just about melted and look very glossy. Stop now so the chocolate does not burn.
- Finish by stirring until all the pieces have melted.
- Set a pot of water on the stove and bring to a boil; then reduce to a low simmer.
- Next, put the chocolate in a dry metal (or other heat-safe) bowl that will fit snugly over the top of the pot of water, so there is no chance stray steam will contact the chocolate. The bowl’s tight fit is the most important thing. Also, make sure the bottom of the bowl is not touching the water.
- Place the bowl with chocolate on top of the barely simmering water.
- Finally, stir frequently until melted, then carefully remove the bowl from the hot water pan.
3 Super Easy Ways to Perfectly Melt Chocolate | You Can Cook That | Allrecipes
How to melt chocolate chips for dipping?
Here’s a guide on how to melt chocolate chips for dipping. One of the most popular methods for melting chocolate chips is by using a double boiler. To do this, fill a saucepan with a few inches of water and bring it to a simmer. Place a heatproof bowl on top of the saucepan, making sure the bottom of the bowl doesn’t touch the water.
Can you use white chocolate chips for dipping?
Semi-sweet, bittersweet, and milk chocolate chips are all great options for melting. However, avoid using chocolate chips labeled “chocolate-flavored” as they often contain less cocoa butter and may not melt as smoothly. Can I use white chocolate chips for dipping?
How do you keep chocolate melted while dipping?
To keep the chocolate melted while you dip, turn the heat down to low and stir the chocolate every few minutes. If you’d rather dip away from the stove, turn off the heat, remove the top part of the double boiler, and set it on the counter before you start dipping. Place the chocolate in a microwave safe dish.
Can you melt chocolate chips?
Dip, drizzle, and decorate as desired. Chocolate chips are ideal for melting, as they are already small and uniform in size. You can cheese milk chocolate, semi-sweet, dark chocolate, or even white chocolate chips. If you only have chocolate bars on hand, chop them into small bits that are close to the same size for easy melting.