Mastering chocolate in baking
What’s the difference between baking chocolate and normal chocolate?
Baking chocolate is the behind-the-scenes hero of those incredible fresh cookies, chocolate pastries, or indulgent muffins. It’s made to melt smoothly and evenly, packs a serious cocoa punch, and handles heat like a pro. Usually unsweetened or semi-sweet, it plays well with recipes where you call the sweet shots.
Regular chocolate (like a block of milk or dark chocolate) is sweeter, softer, and often contains stabilisers to help it hold its shape. It’s great for snacking, but not so good when you need it to behave in a brownie batter.
Can you use normal chocolate for baking?
Yes, you can use regular chocolate, but there are a few strings attached. Normal chocolate will do in a pinch, especially for shaved toppings, chunks or sneaky fillings. Just know it may not melt as cleanly or mix as well into your batters. If you do need to use regular chocolate, make sure to dial down the extra sugar in your recipe to keep things balanced.
Always check the ingredients and choose a chocolate with a high amount of cocoa solids for best results.
Tips for using chocolate in your cooking creations
Here are a few tried and true tips for making your chocolate creations shine every time. Whether you’re melting, mixing, or pairing it with bold flavours, a little know-how can turn your dishes into chocolate masterpieces.
What is the trick to melting chocolate?
There are a few foolproof methods to melting chocolate, so here’s how to nail it:
- Double boiler: Place a bowl over simmering water, add your chocolate chunks and stir gently until it’s silky smooth.
- Microwave: For a faster melt than the double boiler method, use short bursts at low heat, stirring in between (don’t rush this!).
Do:
- Chop chocolate evenly
- Use dry tools and utensils (water is chocolate’s worst enemy)
- Use good quality chocolate for a smoother melt and richer flavour
- Stir it consistently so it doesn’t scorch
Don’t:
- Add cold ingredients to melted chocolate as it can make it seize
- Overheat your chocolate as it’ll burn, resulting in bitterness
What fruit goes well with chocolate?
Fruit and chocolate are a match made in dessert heaven, as it’s a great way to balance the richness of your chocolate dishes. Some of the best pairings include:
- Banana: Chocolate’s BFF. It’s great on dessert pizzas, but also tastes amazing in chocolate ice cream dishes or hiding inside a toasty jaffle
- Berries (think strawberries, raspberries, blueberries): Perfect for dipping, decorating, and adding colour to your chocolate desserts
- Figs: Great with dark chocolate, these add a natural honey-like sweetness that balances out the intensity of the chocolate. Dip them, stuff them or use them in a decadent tart