Page 35 - Chocolate Cake Doctor

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MELTING CHOCOLATE Use high (100 percent) power, but take
My mother still melts chocolate on the care not to microwave too long. Check the
stovetop. She is untrusting of the micro - container a few times, stir, and restart the
wave oven, and I’ll admit I used to be. But microwave as needed. Even if the choco-
there is no reason not to microwave cho - late still keeps its shape, it may just need
colate. Both unsweetened and semisweet a stir to be melted.
bar chocolates melt beautifully this way. • Microwave 4 ounces of chopped
The chips are a little trickier, and you have un sweetened or sweetened chocolate on
to stir them well. White chocolate chips are high for 1 minute. If not melted, stir and
the trickiest. They contain the least amount micro wave another 30 seconds.
of cocoa butter, and they don’t ever seem • Microwave 6 ounces of chopped white
to completely melt in appearance. chocolate on high for 1 minute. If not melted,
Here are a few tips, whether you use stir and microwave another 15 seconds.
the microwave or stovetop: • Microwave 2 cups of semisweet
1
chocolate chips on high for 1 ⁄2 minutes.
• Chop chocolate into 1-inch or Stir and microwave another 15 seconds if
smaller pieces for more even melting.
not melted. For 1 cup of chips, microwave
• Stir during the melting process to for 1 minute to 1 minute, 15 seconds.
keep the temperature even.
• Microwave 2 cups of milk chocolate
• Chocolate is finicky about liquid. chips or other chips on high for 1 minute.
Avoid contact with droplets of water or
For 1 cup of chips, microwave for 45 sec-
steam during the melting process, or the
onds. If additional time is needed, stir and
chocolate can seize up or harden. If you
heat again for 5 seconds.
must add liquid, use at least 1 tablespoon
liquid for every 2 ounces of chocolate for it Stovetop
to combine smoothly.
Use very low heat and a heavy saucepan,
• Melted chocolate does not mind
and stir constantly with a wooden spoon
large amounts of liquid as long as when
so the chocolate does not stick and burn.
you com bine the ingredients, the liquid is
(If it does, it must be thrown out, as there
warm.
is no resurrecting it.) When the chocolate
looks melted, remove the pan from the
Microwaving heat and stir until it is completely melted.
Melt chocolate in a microwave-safe con- White chocolate burns very easily on the
tainer placed in the center of the oven. stovetop; stay with it.