How To Temper Chocolate For Cake Decoration
Cakes are the essence of special occasion celebrations! Since there are many occasions to celebrate with cakes, make the best impression on your loved ones with fresh homemade cakes. If you have enough time on your hands and ingredients, you can express love and best wishes by baking and decorating a chocolate cake. You can incorporate many chocolate cake decorating ideas into your cake surprise; being miles away from your loved ones and looking for a convenient way to celebrate the upcoming festivities with a delicious chocolate cake? Send cakes online to the leading cake bakeries in town. Check out the trending options, from chocolate birthday cakes to anniversary cakes, among other occasions. Read on as we share tips on tempering chocolate for cake decoration.
Compound Chocolate VS Coverture Chocolate:
- Compound chocolate does not require tempering for cake decorating. But that doesn't mean it's the right material for cake. Bakers often coin compound chocolate as "fake chocolate" because it replaces cocoa butter with vegetable oil.
- Although it is much easier to work with couverture chocolate than regular compound chocolate - it is delicate! Cocoa butter, cocoa solids, and sugar are the three main ingredients of couverture chocolate. It is sensitive to temperature. Therefore, it should be handled properly for the best results. When the tempering is applied incorrectly, the chocolate decorations will not be appropriately set, and the cake will melt faster at room temperature.
Preparing chocolate for tempering
When melting couverture chocolate, it's essential to keep the temperature level! So you melt the chocolate in the microwave at low speed for about 15 seconds. Melting should be done gradually for the best results. However, there are variations in chocolate ingredients and quantities that every baker must observe with the utmost care. A close example is a difference between dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and white chocolate.
Method of preparation of chocolate for tempering:
- While a melting tip works on dark chocolate, it doesn't do the same thing as white chocolate or milk chocolate. Chocolate with a higher milk content requires a lower melting temperature than dark and white chocolate.
- Break the chocolate block into fine pieces, place them in a microwave-safe bowl, and microwave them for at least 15 seconds. However, the time may vary depending on the type and size of the microwave oven. Chocolate that needs to be melted.
- If you plan to include two or more different types of chocolate, such as dark and milk chocolate, you will need to melt the chocolate separately.
- It's even possible to melt chocolate for tempering decorations without a microwave! All you have to do is fill a pot or pan with hot water and place it on the stove with the heat on low; Place your bowl with the chopped chocolate in the pot/pan and gently stir with a spoon until the mixture is ready to decorate your cake.
- You should never mix chocolate with water, or else the chocolate will not melt properly, which is not desirable for cake decorating chocolates.
Chocolate Cake Decoration Ideas
When you have finished melting the chocolate, the next and final step is to put your creative chocolate cake design ideas into action! If you plan to decorate the cake with letters, numbers or messages, pour the chocolates into a piping bag and begin the simple chocolate cake design. There are many cake piping bags, from single-use paper and reusable plastic to makeshift piping (get a clear plastic bag and fill it with melted chocolate). If you want to decorate the cake with a simple shape and adorable chocolate squiggle design, you can simply use a teaspoon.
Now that you have the best way to make tempered chocolate for chocolate cake decorations. It takes time and practice to perfect your art of cake decorating. So if you have made a mistake, then do not take much stress. It's part of the art - eat it, and make another!