Chocolate Casting

This procedure builds on the piping technique described for making individual decorations such as Chocolate Figurines and the butterfly ornaments to create stunning showpieces with chocolate. The only prerequisites are a steady hand and a good eye for composing the shades of chocolate in the design.

1. Use a copy machine, draw, or trace your picture on a sheet of paper. If you are new to this technique, use an uncomplicated design with clean lines; the photo features an advanced chocolate painting requiring a bit of experience. Attach the paper to a solid base, such as an inverted even sheet pan or a sheet of corrugated cardboard. Remember the design will be reversed (mirror image) in the finished piece. If that matters — for example, with lettering — follow the directions in the Chef’s Tip with Method II for Tracing onto Marzipan to reverse the image.
2. Fasten a piece of Plexiglas or a sheet of acetate or polyurethane (a thicker grade than for lining cake rings) on top of the drawing. As a last resort, stretch a sheet of plastic wrap around it tightly and hold in a hot oven for a few seconds to shrink the plastic. The plastic must be absolutely wrinkle-free because any imperfection will show in the finished piece.
3. Using Piping Chocolate in a piping bag with a small opening (see Chef’s Tip), trace the drawing. Fill in the interior areas with different shades made by blending dark, light, and white coating chocolate, as desired (because the finished piece is not meant to be eaten, there is no reason to use real chocolate). You can color white coating chocolate with fat-soluble coloring. Think of the plastic or Plexiglas as your canvas, the chocolate as your paint, the piping bag as your brush, and yourself as the artist.
4. When you have finished your artwork, move the painting to a corner or other safe place with the proper temperature, where it can remain for at least a few hours once the background chocolate is poured.
5. Place metal bars around the edges, or use any other straight object that will keep the poured chocolate from leaking out. Corrugated cardboard, cut into strips, will work if oiled on the side that will be next to the chocolate. Seal the base of the frame all around the outside with masking tape. Apply the background by pouring coating chocolate of the desired shade over the design within the frame. Make absolutely sure the temperature of the chocolate you pour is not above 105°F (40°C), or it can partially melt and destroy your piping underneath. On the other hand, if it is too cold (and therefore too thick), it will not flow out and cover the piped lines properly, leaving an uneven and rough finish. To avoid bubbles, pour the chocolate very close to the painting. Gauge the thickness of the background in proportion to the size of the painting. For example, if the painting is 12 × 16 inches (30 × 40 cm), the background should be ½ inch (1.2 cm) thick for the proper strength. Leave your artwork to set for at least several hours.
6. In the meantime, make a base and stand. For the size painting above, pour coating chocolate into a circle about 10 inches (25 cm) in diameter and ½ inch (1.2 cm) thick. For the rear support, pour a triangular piece with 1 long side at a right angle to the short side, about 8 inches (20 cm) across the bottom, 14 inches (35 cm) tall, and the same thickness as the base.
7. Place the painting in the refrigerator for 10 minutes to ensure a glossy finish. Carefully remove the metal bars or cardboard frame from around the painting; cut them free with a thin knife if they do not separate easily. Place an inverted sheet pan or sheet of heavy cardboard on top, hold on securely with both hands, and turn the painting right-side up. Remove the other sheet pan or cardboard, as well as the plastic or Plexiglas, to reveal the painting. You may wish to add a border of piped chocolate or molded marzipan before placing it on the stand.
8. Chill the base of the stand and the rear support (see Note). Dip the bottom of the support in coating chocolate and quickly fasten it to the base. Hold it straight until it has set. Pipe chocolate down the front of the support and carefully attach the painting. Hold until set. Pipe additional chocolate at the bottom behind the painting.