Melting Candy Melts: Using A Fondue Pot For Success

Melting candy in a fondue pot is a fun and easy way to create mouth-watering treats. While a fondue pot is not necessary, it does make the process more convenient and enjoyable. Here are some simple steps to melt candy melts in a fondue pot:

First, make sure your fondue pot is clean and dry. Any water in the pot can cause the candy to harden and streak. Then, simply add your desired amount of candy melts to the pot. You can use a variety of chocolates, such as milk, dark, or white chocolate, or even chocolate chips. Turn the fondue pot on and set it to a low or medium heat setting. Stir the candy melts occasionally to ensure even melting.

It is important not to overheat the candy, as this can affect its consistency. The candy is ready when it has a smooth and glossy texture, resembling cooked pudding. If the candy becomes too thick, you can add a small amount of vegetable shortening or milk to thin it out. Once your candy melts are completely melted, you can add some fun mix-ins like crunchy peanut butter or a dash of vanilla extract.

Now that your candy melts are ready, it's time to dip! You can use a variety of treats for dipping, such as fruit, cookies, pretzels, cake pops, or even cinnamon bears. Enjoy your delicious candy-coated creations!

How to melt candy melts in a fondue pot without overheating

Melting candy in a fondue pot is a fun and easy way to create delicious treats. Here are some detailed instructions to help you achieve the best results without overheating your candy melts:

Prepare your fondue pot and candy melts:

• Make sure your fondue pot is clean and dry before use. Any water in the pot can cause your candy to harden and streak.
• Use a fondue pot with temperature settings to control the heat more effectively. The Wilton Candy Melts Candy and Chocolate Melting Pot, for example, has "warm" and "melt" settings.
• Use candy melts that are known for their meltability and smooth consistency, such as Wilton's Candy Melts®.
• If you want to thin the consistency of your candy for easier dipping, add EZ Thin Dipping Aid to your candy melts. This can also help rescue over-heated candy.

Melt your candy melts:

• Combine your candy melts with any other ingredients (such as heavy cream or chocolate) in your fondue pot.
• Set your fondue pot to a low to medium heat setting. If using a product with temperature settings, use the "warm" or "melt" setting.
• Stir the mixture constantly to prevent overheating and promote even melting.
• Avoid letting the fondue come to a simmer or boil, as this can scorch the chocolate and affect its texture.
• Continue heating and stirring until the candy is almost completely melted. Then, remove the pot from the heat and let it sit for a minute to prevent overheating and keep the candy smooth.
• The candy is ready when it has a smooth and glossy texture, resembling cooked pudding.

Serve and enjoy:

• If desired, add extra ingredients such as crunchy peanut butter or vanilla extract to your melted candy.
• Dip your favourite treats into the fondue pot! Ideas include fruit (such as strawberries or bananas), cake, marshmallows, cookies, and pretzels.
• Keep the fondue warm by using a heating pad or placing the fondue pot over a boil of very hot, just-boiled water. You can also use a small slow cooker to keep the fondue warm.
• Enjoy your delicious candy-coated treats!

The best types of chocolate to use for melting

When it comes to choosing the best type of chocolate for melting, there are several factors to consider. Here are some recommendations and tips to help you achieve the best results:

Type of Chocolate

Chocolate with a higher percentage of cocoa butter is ideal for melting. This ingredient increases the fat content without diluting or altering the flavour. It also gives the chocolate a smoother, glossier finish and a crisp snap when broken. Couverture chocolate, often used by professionals, has a higher cocoa butter content, typically above 31%. Brands like Callebaut, Valrhona, Cocoa Barry, and Scharffen Berger are known for their high-quality couverture chocolate.

Form

Chocolate sold in smaller chips or wafers melts more quickly due to their higher surface area-to-volume ratio. These forms are also more convenient for melting and allow for easier portion control.

Added Ingredients

Some melting chocolates have added oil, which helps them stay melted for longer. This can be beneficial if you need to work with the chocolate over an extended period. However, it may slightly alter the taste, giving it a waxy or oily texture.

Taste

While the visual and textural qualities of melted chocolate are essential, don't forget about taste! Choose a brand that offers a flavour profile that suits your preferences, whether it's dark, milk, or white chocolate.

Recommended Brands

• Callebaut Belgian Dark Couverture Chocolate: This chocolate has a higher percentage of cocoa butter, providing an even melt and a glossy finish. It is less bitter than other dark chocolates.
• Merckens Milk Chocolate: These thin wafers melt quickly and are ideal for candy-making and fondue pots. They have a rich, creamy flavour.
• Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Melting Wafers: These wafers are designed for melting and dipping, staying melted for delicate projects like cake pops.
• ChocoMaker Chocolate Dipping Candy: This chocolate is specifically made for fondue fountains and melts quickly and smoothly.
• Wilton White Chocolate Wafers: While not considered "true" chocolate due to the absence of cocoa butter, these wafers melt easily and have a creamy, sweet flavour.
• Lily's Dark Chocolate Chips: These chips are ideal for health-conscious individuals as they are sugar-free and packed with antioxidants.

General Tips for Melting Chocolate

• Avoid moisture: Avoid adding liquids to your melting chocolate as it can cause seizing. If you need to thin it out, use oil, fat, or cocoa butter.
• Don't overcook: Heat the chocolate just enough to melt it, and then remove it from the heat source to avoid burning.
• Remelt if needed: Don't be afraid to remelt your chocolate if it starts to solidify. Consistent melting is more important than keeping it continuously melted.

How to adjust the consistency of your melted candy

To adjust the consistency of your melted candy, you can use EZ Thin Dipping Aid or solid vegetable shortening. EZ Thin helps you control the consistency of the candy without changing the overall finish once it sets. Once your candy has melted, add a little EZ Thin at a time until you reach the desired consistency. The amount of EZ Thin you will need depends on how much candy you’ve melted. As your candy begins to look smoother and glossier, stop adding EZ Thin.

If you don’t have EZ Thin on hand, you can also add a small amount of solid white vegetable shortening, using the same technique of starting with a small amount and adding in more as needed.

Do not use milk, water, cream, butter, or half-and-half to thin your melted candy. These ingredients will cause your candy to seize and render it unusable. Some decorators also suggest vegetable or coconut oil, however, we caution against it as they may alter the texture of the candy, so it may not set properly.

How to prevent your melted candy from hardening

Candy melts are a sweet confectionery coating used for cake pops, dipping treats, moulding candy, drizzling, and more. They come in a variety of colours and flavours and can be melted in the microwave, using a double boiler, or in a candy melts melting pot.

• Use the right tools: The Wilton Candy Melts Melting Pot is a great option as it can melt up to 2.5 cups of candy melts in less than 10 minutes and will keep your candy warm until you're ready to use it.
• Maintain the right temperature: Keep your melted candy at a warm temperature to prevent it from hardening. Use the "warm" setting on your melting pot or double boiler to maintain the ideal temperature.
• Work quickly: Candy melts can harden within 10 to 20 minutes, so it's important to work quickly once they're melted. Have all your dipping or moulding tools ready before you start melting.
• Store properly: If you have leftover melted candy, allow it to cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
• Thin the candy: If your candy is too thick, you can add EZ Thin Dipping Aid or solid vegetable shortening to thin it out. This will make it easier to work with and less likely to harden.
• Use the fridge: If you need to harden your candy melts quickly, placing them in the fridge for a short period can help. However, be careful not to leave them in too long, as the humidity and condensation in the fridge can cause them to spoil.
• Gradual cooling: To avoid shocking your candy melts with sudden temperature changes, gradually cool them by placing them in the fridge for a few minutes, then transferring them to the freezer.
• Avoid overheating: Overheating your candy melts can cause them to take longer to harden and may affect their appearance. If they have been overheated, try melting them again carefully and stirring continuously to help recrystallise the vegetable oil.

By following these tips, you can prevent your melted candy from hardening and ensure a smooth and successful candy-making experience!

How to melt candy melts without a fondue pot

If you don't have a fondue pot, there are several alternative methods you can use to melt candy melts. Here are some detailed instructions on how to melt candy melts without a fondue pot:

Using a Microwave

• Start by emptying a package of candy melts into a microwave-safe bowl. Most packages contain 12 to 16 ounces (340 to 452 grams) of wafers.
• Heat the candy melts in the microwave for 1 minute at 40% to 50% power. Avoid using full power to prevent overheating and hardening.
• Remove the bowl from the microwave using a pot holder or oven mitt. Stir the candy melts with a rubber spatula. Don't worry if they don't look fully melted yet.
• Repeat the heating and stirring process in 30-second intervals until the candy reaches a honey-like consistency. As it melts, reduce the intervals to 20 and then 15 seconds to prevent overheating.
• Use the melted candy as desired. Work quickly, as the candy will harden as it cools.

Using a Double Boiler

• Fill a pot with 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 centimetres) of water. Make sure the bottom of a heat-safe glass bowl doesn't touch the water.
• Bring the water to a simmer, then remove it from the heat. Place the glass bowl on top of the pot.
• Add the candy melts to the bowl. Stir the wafers constantly until they melt and achieve a smooth, honey-like consistency. Use a rubber spatula to avoid sticking.
• Use the melted candy for dipping or drizzling as desired.

Using a Slow Cooker

• This method is ideal for larger amounts of candy melts (3.5 to 5 pounds or 3.5 to 5 bags). Empty one package of candy melts into a slow cooker or crockpot.
• Set the slow cooker to a low heat setting. Never use high heat to prevent burning.
• Stir the candy melts occasionally to help them melt evenly. Expect this to take around 20 minutes.
• Add a second package of candy melts once the first batch has melted. Continue adding bags and stirring until you reach your desired amount.
• Switch the slow cooker to a warm setting to keep the candy fluid for dipping.

Remember to always make sure your utensils and containers are completely dry when melting candy melts. Any water can cause the candy to harden or streak. Additionally, avoid overheating by melting on too high of a setting or for too long.

Frequently asked questions