Written By Sam Henselijn
Candy melts are small disks made from sugar, milk solids, vegetable oil, flavorings, and dyes.
This sweet confectionary coating can be used in a number of processes. Most commonly, they’re used to coat cake pops, cookies, and other foods.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll discuss how to work with them, how to melt the pieces correctly, how to properly store them, and more.
How to use candy melts
Candy melts are incredibly versatile in the kitchen! They come in a wide variety of colors and flavors. What makes candy melts so popular among bakers is the fact that they can be melted to a semi-liquid state and later set hard – but still maintain a smooth and shiny finish.
These little callets are great to dip treats, mold candy into different shapes, etc. They can also be piped or utilized for drizzling. You can even use the melts to make ganache and fudge!
How to melt candy melts
Melting candy melts may sound daunting if you’ve never done it before – but we promise you, it’s not!
- Microwave
Simply dump your candy melts in a heat proof bowl. Heat the candy melts in the microwave for 30 seconds. Remove the bowl from the microwave and stir with a rubber spatula. Keep heating the candy melts in 30-second intervals, stirring each time until they are completely melted.
- Double Boiler
Using a double boiler to melt candy melts may be the safest
method to avoid burning the chocolate. Simply bring a pot of water to a boil and place a bowl over it, making sure it fits tightly. The bottom of the bowl shouldn’t touch the water. Let your bowl come to temperature for a minute then turn off the heat and add the candy melts to the hot bowl. Stir gently until fully melted. If you encounter some resistance, just turn the heat back on to low and stir some more.
How to thin candy melts for dipping
You can use either shortening or coconut oil. Both are ideal to thin out candy melts since they melt easily, but cool solid – which is exactly what you want for your dipping chocolate. Use 1 teaspoon of oil per package of melting chocolate and melt as per usual.
How to color candy melts
You can easily customize candy melts to reach your desired color. The trick is using oil-based food colorings. That’s important since the water in water-based or gel colors can cause the candy to seize.
The process is easy: melt your candy in a microwave-safe bowl, as you normally would. Use a toothpick or the tip of a knife to add a small amount of coloring to your melted candy. Mix with a spatula until fully combined. Continue adding color until the desired shade is achieved.
What do candy melts taste like?
Candy melts taste very sweet. Even though the flavor of candy melts is not unpleasant, they often display a filmy artificial flavor aftertaste. The texture is waxy and slightly oilier than white chocolate.
Traditional Candy Melts are normally vanilla flavored. It’s also possible to find them in dark cocoa, as well as different flavors. You can also flavor your melts by adding an oil-based extract.
How to store candy melts
We recommend keeping solidified melts at room temperature to prevent moisture from altering their appearance or texture. Always store them in a cool, dry place. If they get too hot during storage, they may be rendered useless.
Once melted, the best option is to place them inside a decorating bag or a plastic container. This way you can easily reheat and use the melts again.
Do candy melts expire?
Yes, candy melts expire! Remember to always check the packaging for expiration dates before using them. Also be aware that, with age, the composition of the melts changes. So even if they’re not technically expired, it can be tricky to work with older callets. They may become difficult to melt, and often develop an off-taste and smell.
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Sam Henselijn Author’s Biography – Meet L’Orenta Nuts CEO
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