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Dipping Chocolates: Troubleshooting 7 Common Issues

dipping chocolate troubleshoot
dipping chocolate troubleshoot

Chocolate is a delectable treat, but it can be difficult to make. People run into all sorts of issues when dipping chocolates, from strange white streaks to clumps and more. If you’ve been struggling with your chocolate and want troubleshooting advice, or you simply want to try to avoid these common problems in the first place, you’ve come to the right place. 

We’re here to help troubleshoot some of people’s most common problems with dipping chocolates. If your question isn’t answered here, we offer cooking classes where you can learn from the pros. 

Let’s jump into it!

#1. Why Didn’t My Chocolate Ever Set?

You need to be patient when waiting for dipping chocolates to set, as it can take up to 20 minutes. However, if your chocolate hasn’t set, there are a few reasons why this could be.

It could be that your room temperature is too high. If the temperature is over 68 F, this can cause problems. The ideal setting temperature is between 65 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit. It could also be that the chocolate wasn’t tempered, because untempered chocolate takes quite a bit longer to set.

#2. Why Are There White Streaks Or Splotches On My Chocolates?

dipping chocolate troubleshoot

This is a difficult question to answer because it can be a couple of things.

If grainy streaks appear over time, it could be caused by not adding enough seed chocolate during tempering. If the streaks appear very soon after the chocolate sets, it’s probably caused by the cocoa butter not being fully integrated with the cocoa solids.

Your solution: stir, stir, stir.  

You can also get streaks or splotches from temperature changes. As previously mentioned, chocolate needs to set at a temperature between 65 F and 68 F. If you put it in the fridge to cool and set, when you take it out, there may be condensation on your chocolate.

This is because water will pull sugar crystals to it and cause what is called sugar bloom – aka, those white streaks and splotches.

While chocolates with white streaks or splotches may look unappealing, they’re still edible! You can munch on the goodies that didn’t turn out how you wanted while putting your newfound knowledge to the test on a new batch of dipping chocolates. 

#3. What Is This White Film On My Chocolate?

This white film is called fat bloom. It’s said that fat rises to the surface of the chocolate through microscopic cracks, such as from the center. This is most common with chocolate-covered nuts, since nuts are so high in natural fats. Warm storage conditions can also cause fat bloom.

#4. When I Was Melting My Chocolate, It Globbed Up And Went Hard. What Happened?

dipping chocolate troubleshoot

There are two problems that can cause your chocolate to harden. 

First, you might have gotten water in it. This would cause it to seize. Despite the appearance of melted chocolate, it’s actually a very dry substance, with no water in it. Think of it like this: what happens when you put a drop of water in a bowl of sugar? The sugar crystals cling to the water and glob up.

It’s the same thing with chocolate. Get water in it, and the chocolate crystals cling to it, causing hard clumpiness.

At this point, is your dipping chocolate ruined? Yes and no. You won’t be able to use it for dipping, but if you add enough liquid (such as milk, cream, or water), it will thin back out and you can use it in baking or for hot chocolate.

It’s just like adding more water to the sugar. If you add enough water, the sugar crystals will dissolve and you’ll have something you can work with again in a different application.

Secondly, it may have burned. This can happen if the heat was set too high or if you didn’t stir it enough while melting it. Is your chocolate ruined? Well, in this case, yes, it is. There’s really no troubleshooting burned chocolate, as far as we know.

#5. Does Humidity Affect Chocolate?

Yes, yes, it does. We learned this one the hard way. While trying to cool the house down quickly on a rainy night in preparation for dipping, we opened the windows. However, there was also a hot pot of soup on the stove simmering away for dinner. This led to lots of humidity.

Dipping went on, but as the chocolate was setting, it formed tiny speckles. Not the splotches mentioned above, just tiny little speckles that almost look like fat bloom from a distance. The chocolate set fairly quickly but was kind of soft and melted easily when touched.

Chocolate needs to be dipped in 50% or less humidity. It really shouldn’t be too much of a concern. Just don’t open your windows when it’s raining or dip right after a pot has been simmering on the stove.

Be aware of the humidity (but don’t obsess over it), and your dipping chocolate adventures should go better than ours did in the aforementioned instance!

#6. What’s The Best Way To Melt Chocolate? 

Dipping Chocolates: Troubleshooting 7 Common Issues

There are a few ways to melt chocolate, and it really just depends on who you are and what you like. 

  • There are people who swear by the microwave: heating it at 50% power at 30-second intervals. 
  • Others love the double boiler, as it decreases the chance of burning. However, you’ll need to be careful when working with chocolate around water.  
  • Still others like to melt in a thick-bottomed pan directly on the stovetop. With this method, you need to constantly stir it over very low heat and be careful not to burn it.

A lesser-known way to melt dipping chocolate is in a glass bowl with a heating pad between it and another larger bowl. This is a super slow method for melting, but it’s good for keeping your chocolate at a good dipping temperature.

We’ve also heard of people putting their chopped chocolate in a bowl and sticking it in a gas oven, letting the heat from the pilot light melt it.

Think about this: if you melt your chocolate so gently and slowly that it never gets above 89 F, it will not need to go through the tempering process because it hasn’t lost its temper.

Of course, this depends on the chocolate. Consult the manufacturer for verification. We do know that Peter’s chocolates will stay in temper if not heated above 89 F.

#7. Can I Use Chocolate Chips?

Chocolate Blocks Thumbnail

Well… we wouldn’t. First of all, chocolate chips have a higher viscosity (they’re thicker when melted), so they’ll coat really thickly. But mostly, we wouldn’t use them because they’ve had things added to them to help them retain their shape during baking.

So, you could use them, but it won’t turn out the same as if you use dipping chocolate.

Dipping Chocolates: Troubleshooting Q&A

We hope this helped solve your chocolate woes. If you still have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us or attend one of our cooking classes. We here at Kitchen Kneads strive to help people in their baking ventures however we can.

Whether this is your first time trying to make something or you’re a seasoned pro, you can count on Kitchen Kneads for top-quality products and informative classes. Save

Filed Under: Kitchen Supply Store

February 1, 2023 by Dawn Mikesell Leave a Comment

winter food storage be prepared
winter food storage be prepared

You never know what can happen, so building a food storage allows you to be prepared for any crisis that may come your way. In the event of an emergency, you don’t want to be stuck, snowed into your home, with nothing to eat and no way to get more food. Stocking up for your winter food storage gives you the assurance that come what may, you have supplies to get you through it. 

During the frigid winter months, it’s especially important to be prepared. You want to have a plan for what to do and key essentials in your storage. The last thing that you want is to be forced to delve into your food storage… Only to find that the food has spoiled. 

We’ve compiled a list of essential tips for your winter food storage that can help you avoid common mistakes. Here’s what you need to know on how you can be better prepared for your winter food storage.

#1. Know Where Your Supply Is The Most Vulnerable

One of the nice things about winter food storage is that cold is usually good for preserving food. Putting dry goods like flour in a refrigerator can help them to last longer than keeping them in the pantry. 

However, there are still challenges you can face. As the temperature fluctuates, your containers can expand and contract. Seams can open due to this contraction, which lets oxygen in. This can lead to spoiled goods. Rodents can seek shelter from the cold in the cozy warmth of your rice bags and ransack your supply. Moisture can spoil your food by allowing for mold growth and bacteria. 

You can prevent these issues with your winter food storage when you:

winter food storage be prepared
  • Store your food somewhere dark. 
  • Avoid fluctuating temperatures with insulation.
  • Keep your food somewhere dry. 
  • Set up mouse traps. 
  • Use oxygen-absorbing packets. 

#2. Store Shelf-Stable Food

When crisis strikes, you could find yourself without power. You want to ensure that your winter food storage has dried good and shelf-stable food that you can fall back on if your refrigerator and freezer stop working. 

Canned foods and dry goods are great options for this. You can purchase canned goods at the store, as well as make your own. It’s usually cheaper to buy these in bulk. However, when buying canned goods, be mindful of the water content, as cans with high water content can swell or burst if it gets too cold. 

Sort your shelf-stable foods with the most recent purchases in the back and the ones with a sooner expiration date in the front. If the foods you stock need some sort of preparation, such as being heated up, ensure that you account for this. 

#3. Insulate Your Storage Space

We touched on this tip in the first section, but it’s so important that it merits a section all to itself. If your winter food storage isn’t properly insulated, you may struggle with preserving your food properly and end up with spoiled goods.

Remember that heat rises. If you’re limited in what you can do, insulate your ceiling first. From there, you can take on your walls, doors, and then finally, the floor. 

You also want to insulate your cabinets and shelves, if possible. If you have an old refrigerator lying around that you no longer use, this can work to store canned and dry goods, as refrigerators are sealed and insulated already. 

#4. Don’t Forget To Do The Math

In our diet-obsessed world, calories are often considered to be this evil thing that you need to limit your consumption of. However, your body burns calories just by existing. You need calories in order to function properly and stay healthy. In the event of an emergency, your body burns more calories than normal, due to high stress levels. 

Do the math in order to ensure that your winter food storage has enough food to properly sustain you and your loved ones in the event of an emergency. Focusing on stocking high-calorie foods so that you can rest assured that people’s nutritional needs will be met. 

Calculate how many calories are in each item that you store. While today’s culture may have you believe that storing low-calorie, low-fat, zero-sugar type foods is best, you need your strength. Ensure that you have enough stored for about 2000 calories or more per person per day. 

winter food storage be prepared

We Can Help You Build Your Winter Food Storage

Kitchen Kneads provides all sorts of goods and equipment to ensure that your needs are met. Whether you’re looking for containers or to stock up on dried goods, we can help. We have an upcoming class on food storage you may find enlightening. 

Contact us today to learn more about what we can do for you!

Filed Under: Good Information, Kitchen Supply Store, Recipe

January 5, 2023 by Lexi Rogers Leave a Comment

scratch baking for beginners

Scratch baking includes making recipes from scratch ingredients. This means no pre-processed ingredients or frozen ingredients. Most commonly, this is probably what type of baking you saw your grandma using while you were growing up. Not only is scratch baking fun, it is healthier for you. If you have an interest in scratch baking, here are the top recipes you should try. 

salted knotted rolls Kitchen Kneads Ogden, UT Kitchen Supply Store and From Scratch Baking

Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake

Mayo may not be the first ingredient you think of when making a cake. But adding it to this recipe makes for a decadent cake. Mayonnaise is basically just oil and eggs, which is used in just about every cake recipe so don’t be scared to try it out in your next dessert. 

A scratch recipe that doesn’t require active yeast might be a good place to start in your scratch baking journey. This cake can be made with just a few simple ingredients including cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, vanilla, flour, mayo and water. 

Yeast Rolls

One of the most popular scratch baking recipes is using yeast to make homemade bread. Yeast rolls are a great addition to a winter soup or for a summer BBQ. If you are feeling adventurous, adding applesauce to your recipe can add a unique tangy flavor to your rolls. 

Homemade bread of any kind will require kneading and will need time to let the yeast rise. Plan accordingly to let your bread rise for about an hour. 

Skillet Herb Bread

Once you have started making your bread from scratch, you can try adding other ingredients and testing your skills with that. This herb bread recipe can include celery, peppers, sage, thyme, onion or whatever else excites your taste buds. 

This particular recipe could be made with active yeast or without. Cooking it in a skillet in the oven helps it to have a crust and will ensure that the middle, which can feature some extra wet ingredients, gets cooked thoroughly.

Banana-Zucchini Bread

This recipe is a great one to make this summer because zucchini is in season. Banana bread and zucchini bread are great recipes on their own, but put them together and you have an amazing combination of flavor. The loaf can be great to serve with a meal or as a homemade snack for your kids. 

Zucchini can be used in other scratch recipes as well, if you find yourself with an abundance of it. Cupcakes can be an interesting one to try your hand at. 

Scratch baking

Breadsticks

Breadsticks can be simple, or dressed up to impress your taste testers. Homemade breadsticks are similar to homemade bread in the fact that you will need to let the dough rise, then just shape them into thinner shapes. Breadsticks can be made with herbs added to the dough, cheesy garlic on top or served with a homemade dipping sauce.

The trick to this recipe is to make sure your breadsticks come out fluffy and not too dense. Another tip is to not follow the measurement of flour as the end all be all. Some temperatures can affect how much flour the bread will need. The best way to tell is to just look at your dough, if it is lifting from the sides of your bowl when mixing, then you have used enough flour. Correctly floured bread will be soft, smooth and slightly tacky. 

Spinach and Artichoke Quiche

A properly made quiche is sure to impress at a summer brunch. Making a quiche is another basic from scratch recipe that doesn’t require yeast. Making the bottom crust just requires flour and the filling is made with creamy parmesan, artichoke hearts, 6 large eggs and tons of seasoning. 

Butter Biscuits

A popular comfort food and simple baking recipe. Biscuits are more known for being dense, but they can still be tender and fluffy and have those biscuit characteristics. Getting golden tops on your biscuits comes from brushing the tops with either an egg wash or butter. 

When mixing your dough, the key to fluffy biscuits is to use chilled butter. This will help it not to melt as quickly into the dough and keep the biscuits from being greasy. Higher temperatures for your oven will also help the dough to rise evenly. 

9 From Scratch Recipes For You To Tackle

Pita Bread

If you have some extra time to prepare, this bread recipe can be great for you. Pita bread dough can be made ahead of time and even left in the freezer. Made from scratch pita bread is way better than store bought and can be made fairly easily. You can cook pita bread in the oven or in a skillet on your stove top. 

Pita can be made with other flavorings and oils that can make it more interesting. The flat bread is usually dipped in something, but adding garlic or Italian seasoning can be delicious. 

Upside Down Cake

Pineapple upside down cake is a great summer treat and uses cake flour instead of regular flour. Before you try to flip your cake, you will need to let it cool for at least 20 minutes before you invert it. If your cake comes out dense, don’t worry! These cakes will be more dense because of the fruit and weight of the topping. 

Keep in mind that you need to remove the cake before the fruit totally hardens and sticks to the pan. 

Scratch Baking With Kitchen Kneads

We want all people to experience the joy of baking. Scratch baking may seem intimidating but we are here to give you all the tools you need to make it work for you. With any new hobby comes some stumbling blocks and a learning curve. Kitchen Kneads offers cooking classes to help bakers of all skill levels to learn a new recipe. 

scratch baking for beginners


Kitchen Kneads works hard to listen to our customers and continue to offer quality ingredients nationwide. Our goal is to help people across the nation enjoy cooking and bring quality dishes to their families. We continually improve our standards and share our love for our products and store with you. Contact us today or check out what cooking classes we are offering here.

Filed Under: Kitchen Supply Store, Recipe

July 14, 2022 by kitchen kneads admin Leave a Comment

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Kitchen Kneads is your one-stop shop for quality grains, flour, kitchen appliances, and other ingredients.

We are Utah’s premier baking and cooking resource!

Questions?

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[email protected]

 

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Kitchen Kneads Ogden, UT Kitchen Supply Store
Kitchen Kneads is your one stop shop for quality grains, flour, kitchen appliances and other ingredients. We are Utah’s premiere baking and cooking resource! Questions? 888-881-9957 [email protected]
Kitchen Kneads Ogden, UT Kitchen Supply Store

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