Cake Pops and Candy Melts
With cake pop craze going mad, we have a lot of enquiries regarding how to melt candy melts successfully. Candy melts are similar to compound chocolate in that they MUST NOT BE OVERHEATED. Overheating them will cause the to clug or basically cook into a pulp.
So below we have some tips on Melting your Candy melts succesfully by different methods.
What Are Candy Melts?
Melts are also known as confectionery coating. Their are a few different brands on the market Wilton, Merckens, Alpine and CK products. They are convenient wafers made of sugar, milk solids, vegetable oils, flavorings and colors. The Light Cocoa, Dark Cocoa and Dark Cocoa Mint-flavored Candy Melts also contain cocoa powder. Candy Melts taste delicious, but don’t require the careful melting procedures of chocolate.
Work Dry
Before you begin, make sure all of your utensils are dry. Water causes melted coatings to harden and streak. Melted Candy Melts are ready for molding when the texture resembles cooked pudding. For all methods, do not overheat by melting on too high a setting or for too long. Coating loses its proper consistency if overheated or if liquids are added. If coating becomes too thick, add 2 teaspoons of hydrogenated solid vegetable shortening per 14 oz. of Candy Melts or paramount crystals (same thing!)
Microwave Oven: Bowl
A quick and easy way to melt candy in a microwave-safe bowl, spouted measuring cups, Melting Bottles or Disposable Decorating Bags.
If you’re using a bowl or measuring cup, microwave 1 package Candy Melts at 40% power or defrost setting for 1 minute. Stir thoroughly. Continue to microwave and stir at 30-second intervals until smooth and completely melted. ALWAYS TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE POWER OF YOUR MICROWAVE. THEY ARE ALL DIFFERENT!
Double Boiler:
Fill lower pan with water to below level of top pan. Heat water to a simmer, then remove from heat. Put Candy Melts in the top pan and set in position on lower pan. Stir constantly, without beating, until smooth and completely melted.
Slow Cooker:
Ideal for melting large amounts of candy (1-2kg.).
Note: Do not melt less than 1.5 kgs. Place 1 package of Candy Melts into a slow cooker and set on low. Never use a higher setting. Stir occasionally as it melts. When almost completely melted (about 20 minutes), add another package. Stir occasionally again until almost completely melted, then add another package of Candy Melts. Repeat procedure until you’ve melted as much candy as you need. You can melt up to 2.5kg. of Candy Melts in your slow cooker (total melting time for 2.5kg. is about 45 minutes).
We hope this helps some of you the newbies to candy melt and cake pops!
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