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Chocolate molds are one of the most popular and useful tools in the world of candy making. They are used in the making of everything from lollipops to handmade chocolates to chocolate truffles and everything in between. All those thousands of chocolate Easter bunnies and other novelty chocolates that pop up every year and fill chocolate hampers at Christmas time are made using molds such as these, only on a much larger scale. Keeping a variety of chocolate candy molds on hand allows you to make your own novelty chocolates whenever you want, and are very easy to use.
What Kinds of Chocolate Molds Are Available?
Depending on what exactly you are planning on doing, there are a number of different types of molds for chocolate available.
Plastic Chocolate Molds – These are the most common molds for chocolate on the market for a number of different reasons. The first reason is that they are very inexpensive to make and sell, even for a much smaller manufacturer. These allow you to build up a whole host of molding possibilities without having to spend much money. Each one will set you back only a few dollars, and there are hundreds of varieties available.
Silicone Chocolate Molds – You are probably already familiar with the wave of silicone bakeware that has flooded the market in recent years. Silicone chocolate molds are made of the very same substance and offer a few particular benefits over the plastic models. They are flexible and non-stick, which makes what could otherwise be a tricky removal very easy. They are also much more resistant to a wide range of temperatures, which allows them to go straight from heat to cold without worry. They are certainly more expensive than the plastic molds, and are the favored choice of professionals.
3D Chocolate Molds – This is where things really start to become interesting. A 3D chocolate molds includes two wells that are intended to be put together when they are filled to create a three-dimensional shape. Most professional confectioners use these in the making of novelty chocolates such as chocolate Easter bunnies. These are a little bit more expensive than plastic or many silicone models, but can be more fun once you build up some experience.
Antique Chocolate Molds – Antique chocolate molds are made of metal rather than plastic or silicon, and were widely used by confectioners before either of these other materials came to the market. These molds tend to be much more intricate than the previous varieties and are frequently three-dimensional. Since they were made many years ago, they also impart a unique look that you cannot find otherwise. Antique chocolate molds are the most expensive variety and are highly sought after by collectors.
Do I Have To Use Molding Chocolate?
Absolutely not. Molding chocolate is designed to be easy for the home cook to use and is a favorite when getting children interested in candy making. Professional confectioners, on the other hand, use high-quality raw chocolate when making their candies, and is the chocolate of choice for making homemade gourmet chocolates.
The primary difference between using molding chocolate and regular chocolate, aside from the much higher quality, and thus more expensive, varieties of raw chocolate available, is the prep work necessary before putting them in the mold. While molding chocolate needs only to be gentle melted before going into the molds, raw chocolate needs to be tempered in order to ensure that the finished product has a pleasing appearance and texture. For those of you who want to use chocolate molds with high-quality raw chocolate and do not want to go to the labor of tempering it yourself, you could always purchase a chocolate tempering machine to do the work for you.
How Do I Use Chocolate Candy Molds?
Using chocolate molds to create your very own treats is actually very simple to do, and gets easier and easier the more you do it. The basic procedure is as follows:
1.) Prepare the chocolate for molding. If you are using molding chocolate, all you have to do at this point is gently melt it in the microwave or in a double boiler. If you are using raw chocolate, however, you will need to temper it before moving on.
2.) Gently pour the chocolate into the mold using a spoon. It can take a bit of practice to get just the right amount of chocolate into the mold on the first try.
3.) Tap the mold onto the counter to work out any air bubbles that may have formed.
4.) Place the mold in the freezer so that the chocolate can harden.
5.) When the chocolate is cool, turn out the chocolates and clean the mold for use in the next batch.
Note: If you are using a 3D chocolate mold, you will let each of the halves cool completely before putting them together with just a little bit of molten chocolate to act as glue.
What Else Can I Do With Chocolate Molds?
While theses molds are designed primarily with the needs of chocolate in mind, they do have a number of different uses that extend their versatility and provide you with many more confectionary options.
Homemade Marshmallow Treats – You will definitely want to use silicone or metal chocolate molds for this application and lubricate them prolifically with non-stick spray, but you can make your very own marshmallow candies at home by filling the molds with homemade marshmallow and allowing them to cool.
Lollipops and Hard Candies – As before, metal or silicone will be necessary, only this time it is because they are better suited to withstanding the high heat of molten sugar than plastic ever could be.
Novelty Soaps – While you will not want to use the same molds for both chocolate and soap, you can always melt down glycerin soap base with a bit of aroma oil and coloring, then mold them into fun shapes.
Where Can I Find Chocolate Molds For Sale?
Plastic and silicone chocolate molds are available in most kitchen supply shops, bakers’ supply stores, online, and in many department stores. This includes both the 2D and 3D varieties. Antique chocolate molds, on the other hand, are considered collectors’ items and are somewhat more difficult to come by. They are generally available from collectors and on online auction sites such as eBay, but you can frequently find them for cheap at local thrift stores and at yard sales.
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