| In the late 1800's, chocolate makers already used | | | | There may be some air bubbles trapped within |
| molds made from metal. This made it possible to | | | | the chocolate. To release it, tap the filled mold on |
| shape them either as flat or three dimensional. | | | | the counter to settle the chocolate. Another way |
| Plastic soon replaced that as these were | | | | is to hold the mold horizontally then gently drop it |
| expensive to produce making it possible for | | | | on the counter. You will probably have to do this |
| amateur chocolatiers to make these at home. | | | | several times until there all the air bubbles have |
| When you buy chocolate molds from the craft | | | | been removed. |
| store, make sure that this is made from strong | | | | When the chocolate is ready, this is the time that |
| plastic that has intricate designs so the finished | | | | you put this in the freezer. This is because it is |
| product will come out beautifully after it comes | | | | the coolest place in the house taking it less time |
| out of the freezer. | | | | for the chocolate to harden so you can reuse the |
| Remember that this must never be washed using | | | | mold if you are making another batch of |
| soap as this can mare the taste of the chocolate. | | | | chocolates. |
| You should simply use hot water and then dry it | | | | You will know when the chocolates are ready by |
| thoroughly using a dry cloth. | | | | looking at the back side of the mold. If the cavity |
| Each time you use the plastic mold, make sure to | | | | appears to be graying, this means that the |
| wipe it clean. Greasing, spraying or dusting is not | | | | second you turn this over, the chocolate will easily |
| needed as this will ruin the appearance of the | | | | fall off to the tray. |
| finished candy. | | | | If it doesn't fall off on its own, you can tap it |
| But there is an exception to that rule. If you will | | | | firmly. If this does not work, perhaps it needs a |
| be mixing your chocolate with some | | | | little more cooling time in the freezer so put it |
| marshmallows, candy sprinkles, jellies or cooked | | | | back in for a few minutes and then try again. |
| candies, then you must first grease or spray the | | | | If you happen to have some leftovers from filling |
| chocolate mold with oiling spray. This will make the | | | | the mold, don't throw it away because you can |
| chocolate easy to remove from the mold and if | | | | use it again in the future. Just wait for the |
| you are going to make another batch, the good | | | | chocolate to harden so you can scrape it off and |
| news is that you only have to oil spray it once. | | | | then wrap it in waxed paper. |
| Next thing you need to learn is how to properly | | | | You don't always need to make chocolate |
| put chocolate filling into the plastic sheet. For that, | | | | creations from molds even if this is the |
| you use a regular teaspoon and fill each cavity | | | | conventional way of doing it. The other option is |
| with chocolate. Some of the chocolate might spill | | | | to dip it in with other things like cookies or fruits |
| out but don't worry because you can clean that | | | | so you have your own chocolate fondue as part |
| up later on. | | | | of your dessert. |