Learn how to easily melt chocolate on the stovetop or in the microwave! Follow this simple step by step guide to avoid seized or burnt chocolate.
Melting chocolate can seem straightforward at first but you’d be surprised at what can go wrong! I’ve had chocolate burn and seize so learn from my mistakes so you can flawlessly melt chocolate at home!
What Chocolate To Buy for Melting
Couverture Chocolate
Couverture chocolate is one of the best chocolates to use for melting as they are specifically designed to use as a coating. Couverture chocolate contains a minimum of 35% cocoa solids and 31% cocoa butter which makes it melt and pour more smoothly. When dried, couverture chocolate has a beautiful shiny sheen to it as well as a firmer "snap" when broken.
Chocolate Wafers Melts
These wafers are specially formulated using cocoa powder and vegetable oil instead of chocolate liquor and cocoa butter, which allows them to melt easily. It comes in many colors and flavors.
Chocolate Chips
While ideally, couverture chocolate is best for melting, it isn’t the most budget friendly and accessible option. If you’re in a pinch or if you’re making a recipe with your kids, chocolate chips would be a more affordable option.
What You’ll Need to Melt Chocolate
On the Stove Top
A Double Broiler
A double boiler is essentially two pots stacked on top of each other so you can fill the bottom with water to create steam so the chocolate in the top pot can melt.
A Saucepan + A Heat Resistant Bowl
If you don’t have a double broiler, you can make your own by placing a heat resistant bowl on top of a saucepan filled with water.
A Spatula
You’ll need a spatula to stir the chocolate
In the Microwave
A Microwave Safe Bowl
You’ll need a bowl that can fit into the microwave and is also heat resistant.
A Spatula
You’ll need a spatula to stir the chocolate
How to Melt Chocolate
On the Stove Top
- Cut the chocolate into uniform pieces.
- In a medium saucepan or bottom of the double broiler, bring 1 cup of water to simmer over low heat. Place a heat resistant bowl on top of the pot, making sure it’s not touching the water if not using a double broiler.
- Place your chocolate in the bowl/top of the double broiler and allow the steam from the simmering water to heat the bowl and melt the chocolate. Stir occasionally until the chocolate has melted.
- Once melted, remove from the heat and use immediately.
In the Microwave
- Cut the chocolate into uniform pieces.
- Place chocolate in a microwave safe bowl, making sure not to overfill. Do two batches if your bowl isn’t large enough.
- Place the bowl in the microwave and heat for 1 minute at 50% power level.
- Stir the chocolate and heat again at 50% power level for 20 second. Stir. And repeat until the chocolate has almost fully melted.
- Near the end when there are just a few lumps left in the chocolate, instead of microwaving again, just stir until the chocolate has smoothed out and fully melted.
- Once melted, remove from the heat and use immediately.
What If My Chocolate Hardens Before I Use It All?
If your melted chocolate hardens before you can use it all up, place it back on top of your simmer water or microwave until it has melted again.
How to Prevent Chocolate from Seizing Up?
Like making nut butter, you do not want water touching what you’re melting! Make sure your bowl where your chocolates go in is wiped 100% dry. Avoid using wooden utensils to stir as there may be moisture in that. That is why I recommend a spatula!
Also, avoid using a lid when melting chocolate as it increases the chances of condensation collecting and dripping into your chocolate.
How to Save Seized Chocolate
While it is easier to start over, if you want to try to save your seized chocolate, add fat in the form of cocoa butter. Mix gently until the chocolate has loosen and melted back to a smooth state.
Extra Tips
- Keep stirring as you melt the chocolate to avoid it getting burnt.
- Make sure that the microwave is on low heat and the water is simmer. Too high heat will cause the chocolate to dry out and become lumpy or grainy.
- If the chocolate has started drying out from overheating, add more chocolate to it to even it out.
What To Use Melted Chocolate For
- Chocolate Covered Strawberries
- Chocolate truffles
- Chocolate covered pretzels
- Chocolate bark
- Drizzled over baked goods
- Drizzled over ice cream
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How to Melt Chocolate
Ingredients
- 2 cups chocolate 12 ounces/240 grams
Instructions
How to Melt Chocolate on the Stove Top:
- Cut the chocolate into uniform pieces or use chocolate chips.
- In a medium saucepan or bottom of the double broiler, bring 1 cup of water to simmer over low heat. Place a heat resistant bowl on top of the pot, making sure it’s not touching the water if not using a double broiler.
- Place your chocolate in the bowl/top of the double broiler and allow the steam from the simmering water to heat the bowl and melt the chocolate. Stir occasionally until the chocolate has melted.
- Once melted, remove from the heat and use immediately.
How to Melt Chocolate In the Microwave
- Cut the chocolate into uniform pieces.
- Place chocolate in a microwave safe bowl, making sure not to overfill. Do two batches if your bowl isn’t large enough.
- Place the bowl in the microwave and heat for 1 minute at 50% power level.
- Stir the chocolate and heat again at 50% power level for 20 second. Stir. And repeat until the chocolate has almost fully melted.
- Near the end when there are just a few lumps left in the chocolate, instead of microwaving again, just stir until the chocolate has smoothed out and fully melted.
- Once melted, remove from the heat and use immediately.
Notes
- Use good quality chocolate for melting always.
- Do not add water into the chocolate. If you need to thin in out, add coconut oil or butter.
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