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Wouldn't it be great to learn how to make chocolate candy? It's a skill chocolate lovers could put to good use all year long. Just imagine how lovely it would be to treat your guests to homemade chocolate candy at your next dinner party.
Although it's a multi-step process, learning how to make chocolate candy is incredibly simple. Let's begin by breaking down the common ingredients in a bar of chocolate. The three essential ingredients are: chocolate liquor (usually listed as 'chocolate'), cocoa butter and sugar. Usually, extras like milk, soy lecithin (an emulsifier) and vanilla extract are added to enhance the flavour and texture.
All of these factors are the reason that chocolate chips (or a finely cut up bar of chocolate) make an excellent base for homemade chocolate candy. Since this type of chocolate is already flavoured most of the work has already been done for you. Here's all you need to do:
- Melt the desired amount of chocolate in a doubler boiler or microwave (in 10-30 second increments)
- Pour the chocolate into mould - silicone ones work best
- Tap the mould to release air bubbles
- Cool the chocolate in the freezer or refrigerator until solid
- Un-mould and enjoy
Tips for making chocolate candy using this method: A pound of chocolate (16 oz.) will yield about 32 bite-sized chocolate candies. For added texture, you may also add chopped nuts or dried fruit into the mix. Be careful not to overheat the chocolate, as this will make it seize and turn gritty.
Another option is to make chocolate candy from cocoa powder. Working with cocoa powder as a base requires mixing in a fat of your choice (butter and coconut oil work well) and sweetening the chocolate. You may use sugar, honey, agave or your favourite sweetener. A dash of vanilla or coffee extract will add a little oomph but these are optional. Here are the steps you'll need to take:
- Melt your chosen fat in a microwave or in a pot on the stove
- Carefully mix in the cocoa powder and whisk until smooth
- Add flavourings, if any
- Pour into moulds
- Tap the mould to release air bubbles
- Cool the chocolate candy in the freezer or refrigerator until solid
- Un-mould and enjoy
Here's an easy recipe for making chocolate candy with cocoa powder: 1/2 cup of butter, 1/4 cup of cacao powder, 2 tablespoons of honey and a teaspoon of vanilla extract. Process as indicated above.
Have questions or comments about how to make chocolate candy? Leave a comment below and we'll help you navigate the process.
What’s the best way to store chocolate to keep it fresh? Some might say that if you want to store your home-made chocolate rather than eating it straight away, you must be doing it wrong. However, in the unlikely event that you do want to store your chocolate, be sure to keep in a cool, dry place, ideally in an airtight container to stop it from oxidising and developing a thin white film. Plain chocolate can be kept for a while like this, but it’s important to remember that if you’ve used other fresh ingredients such as cream to make your chocolates or candies, you will also need to take their shelf life into account.
