| Now that you know what you need to get | | | | chocolate and stir it vigorously until it is melted. |
| started making chocolate Easter candy from | | | | This gives it a glossy, smooth appearance. |
| chocolate molds, and have selected your | | | | Of course you can simply use a heat proof bowl |
| chocolate molds, it is time to get started with the | | | | on a pan of boiling water or in the microwave, but |
| actual candy making! | | | | if you forget to stir, or if the chocolate gets to |
| Melting the Chocolate | | | | hot, well, you have a mess on your hands. |
| When melting chocolate for chocolate molds, I find | | | | Sometimes it is easier to just take the guess |
| it is best and easiest to use candy melts that are | | | | work out of melting chocolate with a chocolate |
| specifically prepared for melting and mold use. If | | | | melter. These melters are great for speeding up |
| you prefer to use chocolate chips, semi-sweet | | | | the chocolate melting process, make clean-up |
| chips or dark chocolate chips, you will need to add | | | | easier and make everything about chocolate |
| a little paraffin to the melted chocolate to help it | | | | candy making less of a hassle. |
| stay better and maintain a glossy appearance. | | | | The Finishing Touches on Your Chocolate Easter |
| Paraffin can usually be purchased in the canning | | | | Candy |
| supplies, make sure it is food grade paraffin. | | | | There are many ways to finish off your |
| Simply shave off some paraffin and add it to the | | | | chocolate Easter Candy. First, you can decorate |
| melted chocolate and stir until well blended. It does | | | | the chocolate candy that you have already made. |
| not affect the taste, but it will make a big | | | | You can use either toothpicks and melted colored |
| difference in the finished product. | | | | candy or icing to trace and decorate the candy. |
| There are a couple of ways to melt chocolate. To | | | | You can also use special candy brushes to make |
| melt using a double boiler (preferred method) | | | | fine decorating details. The brushes can even be |
| simply melt the chocolate over a double boiler. | | | | used before you pour the chocolate in the mold |
| You can make a double boiler by simply placing a | | | | to brush on colored chocolate before you pour |
| heat proof bowl over a pot of boiling water. Turn | | | | the rest of the chocolate into the mold. |
| the heat down so the water is simmering. Gently | | | | If you selected a lollipop mold you will need sticks, |
| stir the chocolate with the spatula until it is | | | | which will have to be inserted before the candy |
| completely melted. You can also melt the | | | | hardens. You can also purchase cellophane bags |
| chocolate in the microwave oven in a | | | | and ties to individually wrap your chocolate Easter |
| microwave-safe bowl - however sometimes it is | | | | creations. Make sure that you use food grade |
| difficult to get a smooth glossy appearance when | | | | cellophane bags though, not just any cellophane |
| using the microwave. | | | | bag you find laying around. They are pretty |
| The target temperature for the chocolate is | | | | inexpensive, and look prettier than simply using |
| about 110 degrees F (or 45 degrees C). When the | | | | sandwich bags. |
| chocolate is the correct temperature, remove it | | | | Once you have put the finishing touches on your |
| from the heat, dry the bottom of the bowl, and | | | | chocolate Easter candy, you are ready to hand |
| then add 4 more ounces of finely chopped | | | | them out or eat them yourself! Happy Easter! |