MELTING MILK CHOCOLATE CHIPS FOR DIPPING RECIPES

Steps:

• Line baking sheet with waxed paper; set aside.
• Remove candy to be dipped from refrigerator about 10 minutes before dipping. Dipping cold centers can result in cracked coating or bloom (white crystals) on coating.
• Place chocolate chips and shortening into 2-cup glass measuring cup. Place measuring cup into bowl which contains very warm (100°F to 110°F) water reaching halfway up measuring cup. (Don't let even one drop of water mix with chocolate.) Stir mixture constantly with rubber spatula 18-22 minutes or until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. (Do not rush melting process.) Replace water with more very warm water, if necessary. Remove measuring cup from bowl; continue stirring 2-3 minutes or until chocolate is cooled slightly.
• Set one candy center onto tines of fondue fork or 2 pronged fork. Completely dip center into melted chocolate. Gently tap fork against side of measuring cup to remove excess melted chocolate. Invert candy onto prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining centers. Place measuring cup into bowl of very warm water, if melted chocolate becomes too thick for dipping; stir until desired consistency.

Steps:

• Remove the chilled candy from the refrigerator about 10 minutes before coating (dipping cold centers can result in cracked coating).
• Place the chocolate chips and shortening in a 2-cup measuring bowl.
• Place the bowl into a larger bowl which contains very warm water (about100-110F) the water should reach only halfway up the 2-cup bowl with the chocolate (DO NOT LET EVEN 1 DROP WATER MIX WITH CHOCOLATE!).
• Stir mixture constantly with a small spatula until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth (this should take about 16-18 minutes, do not rush the melted process).
• If necessary replace the water with more very warm water.
• remove the 2-cup bowl with melted chocolate from the water and continue to stir until all the chocolate is cooled slightly (about 2-3 minutes).
• Set one candy onto a two-pronged fork, then completely dip candy into melted chocolate.
• Gently tap the fork against side of the bowl to remove any excess melted chocolate.
• Place onto baking sheet lined with waxed paper.
• Repeat with remaining candy.
• If the chocolate becomes too thick for dipping, place the bowl containing the chocolate into the bowl with warm water until desired consistancy.
• TIPS ON HOW TO WORK WITH DIPPING CHOCOLATE.
• Avoid all types of moisture when melting the chocolate, any steam or drops of moisture can cause the mixture to :seize" or become very firm, crumbly and grainy, if this occurs it can be corrected by stirring in 1 teaspoon shortening for each 2 ounces of melted chocolate.
• Chocolate can also be melted over low heat in a double boiler.
• Store the chocolate tightly wrapped in a cool dry place, do not refrigerate.