My Secret To Dipped Chocolates And A Recipe too!.

Let me give you a quick hint, something I've learned from years of chocolate and candy making.
Dipping Chocolate.

For dipping in milk, semi sweet and even bitter sweet chocolate. The special little buy by the pound discs aren't necessary. There is just a quick little ratio you need to learn.

For every 12 oz bag of chocolate chips
You'll need to add 1 - 2 Tablespoon of shortening, (plain, not butter flavored and NO substitutions with butter or margarine)

Why the shortening you ask? Well, my dears... It makes it softer, smoother and when you bite into your dipped item the chocolate coating doesn't shatter all over the place and make a royal mess.

I use 1 T for items that need a harder and thicker shell like choc covered cherries, that way the liquid doesn't leak. Most everything else I use the 2 T method.

I'll give you a few examples of what this dipping chocolate can be used on... Choc covered cherries, peanut butter cups, peppermint patties, truffles, and of course if you don't want to make candies you can dip pretzels, nuts, raisins, graham crackers, marshmallows, cowboys, Oh wait, sorry, that's a different subject .

The list really can go on and on. It's your confections... Let me know how it goes, I'd love to know what yummy goodies ya'll make.


*Warning* I do not recommend working with chocolate in high humidity. There is ways to get around it but I'm keeping this post simple.

Perfect Peppermint Patties

1 box confectioners/powdered sugar (1 pound)

3 Tablespoons butter, softened

3 teaspoons peppermint extract

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 cup evaporated milk

1 12oz bag of semi sweet chocolate chips

2 Tablespoons shortening

In a bowl combine first four ingredients. Add milk and Mix well.

Roll into 1 inch balls and place on a wax paper lined cookie sheet.

Chill for about 20 minutes.

Flatten with glass till about 1/4 inch thick.

Chill for about 20 minutes,

While the patties chill out prepare you dipping chocolate.

Melt the chocolate chips and shortening on a double boiler over simmering water or in a microwave safe bowl in the microwave but be careful not to burn it it in the microwave and don't let water get into it on the double boiler.

Dip patties, place on waxed paper to harden & freeze to set choc.

Yields 5 dozen