Hollow Chocolate Figures Using Molds

Appears in

Published 2003

About

Chocolate figures are most often made at Christmas and Easter. In some cases the larger sizes are intended only for use as showpieces, in which case there is no reason to use anything other than coating chocolate. Even a smaller figure can be embellished to create a miniature showpiece, as illustrated in Color Photo 96. Only metal or plastic chocolate molds in perfect condition should be used to make hollow figures because the smallest scratch can cause the chocolate to stick.

Using soap and hot water, clean, rinse, and thoroughly dry the molds. Polish the inside of the molds with cotton balls. If using metal molds, dip the cotton balls in a little powdered chalk, then remove any trace of the chalk with a clean cotton ball. The molds as well as the work area must be around 68°F (20°C).
To eliminate small bubbles on the surface, coat the inside of the mold with a thin layer of tempered chocolate before filling, using a good brush .
Immediately clip the two halves of the mold together and fill with chocolate. If the thin layer of chocolate is left to set up completely before filling, it can separate from the rest of the mold later. Lightly tap the side of the mold with a dowel to release bubbles.
Wait a few minutes to be sure a thick enough layer of chocolate has formed that the mold will not break when handled (large molds need thicker layers), then invert the mold over the bowl of chocolate and allow the chocolate to run back out. Tap the mold lightly with a dowel to help remove the chocolate.
Stand the mold upright on a sheet pan lined with baking paper. Once the chocolate starts to set, remove the clips and refrigerate for a few minutes until the chocolate has begun to shrink away from the mold (this is easy to see with a plastic mold; you will just have to take an educated guess with a metal mold). Carefully remove the mold. From this point, to avoid fingerprints, wear food handling gloves whenever you touch the figures.
To enclose the bottom of the figure, spread a thin layer of chocolate on a sheet of baking paper, place the hollow chocolate figure on top, twist it gently, and let it set. Use a thin sharp knife, lightly heated, to cut away excess chocolate around the figure. If a seam protrudes where the two halves of the mold were joined, remove it with the same knife.