Making small baskets out of chocolate to act as bowls can enhance the presentation of your desserts. Chocolate baskets also give your guests the chance to have a little fun by eating the dish their dessert is served in. Mousse, pudding, custard or berries are all examples of desserts you can serve in a chocolate basket. You must go through a few steps to successfully make a basket out of chocolate, but the process is not overly complex or time-consuming.
Preparation
Step 1
Set up a double boiler on your stovetop by placing a glass or metal bowl on top of a pot filled with about 1 inch of water inside. Bring the water to a boil.
Step 2
Cut the bars of chocolate into pieces and add them to the bowl. Use bittersweet, semi-sweet or milk chocolate according to your preference. As an alternative, you can use one 12 oz. package of chocolate chips.
Step 3
Allow the chocolate to melt, stirring it occasionally with a wooden spoon.
Parchment Paper and Cup Method
Step 1
Spoon melted chocolate onto the parchment paper and swirl it into a circle that is roughly 6 inches in diameter.
Step 2
Cut the paper into a smaller square around the circle, and lay the paper on top of a cup or bowl with the chocolate facing up. Choose a bowl or cup whose bottom is wide enough to prevent the chocolate from running down its sides. However, chocolate running a little as it sets helps form the basket.
Step 3
Place the cups into the fridge to set for 20 to 30 minutes.
Step 4
Remove the paper and turn the baskets right-side-up once they are fully hardened.
Plastic Wrap and Muffin Tin Method
Step 1
Line muffin tins or ramekins with plastic wrap so that the wrap hangs over the tin's edges.
Step 2
Press the plastic all the way into the hollows of the molds, and pour in chocolate about one-third of the way up. The plastic doesn't need to be greased or treated in any way.
Step 3
Swirl the container around so that the chocolate coats the entire bottoms and sides of the hollows, and then refrigerate the mold until the chocolate sets.
Step 4
Pull up on the sides of the plastic wrap gently to remove the hardened chocolates from the mold.
Step 5
Peel away the plastic and fill the baskets with your choice of dessert.
Things You'll Need
- Double boiler
- Knife
- 1 to 2 large chocolate bars
- Wooden spoon
- Parchment paper
- Bowl or cup
- Plastic wrap
- Muffin tin or ramekin
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