How to Temper Chocolate

(theme music)

[Narrator] Tempering chocolate.

Tempering is responsible for the final gloss

and hardness of chocolate.

You temper when chocolate will be used for candy molds,

dipping and elaborate decorations.

If you don't temper, the chocolate won't harden properly.

This technique can be easy by following

these steps and tips.

The first thing we'll do is create a makeshift

double boiler.

Which is a pot with simmering water,

and a heat proof bowl that sits over the pot

and does not touch the hot water.

We've got our chocolate chips in the bowl

and it'll now start melting.

We'll stir the chocolate as it melts to make sure

it melts evenly.

This is bittersweet chocolate so it needs to reach

a temperature of 118° to 120° Fahrenheit.

If this were milk chocolate, it would need to reach

116° to 118° Fahrenheit.

Keep stirring the chocolate and checking with

a thermometer until it has reached the right temperature.

Just remember that minor alterations can ruin

the final product.

Okay, it's reached the right temperature.

So we'll remove the bowl from the pan and add the remainder

of the chocolate chips to cool the melted chocolate.

We'll stir until smooth and the chocolate temperature

drops to 80° Fahrenheit.

Now we'll bring the water to a boil again.

And now we'll set the bowl on top of the pan

and stir it until the bittersweet chocolate

reaches 88° to 91° Fahrenheit.

Or 85° to 87° Fahrenheit for milk chocolate.

That's the right temperature.

So now we'll test the tempered chocolate by spreading

a small amount on a flat surface covered with

aluminum foil.

The chocolate should be really smooth and shiny.

By the way, if your results are disappointing,

simply re-temper the chocolate.

You can use your chocolate immediately,

or store it at room temperature.

For us, we've ladled a bit into our bowl here

and we'll dip some shortbread cookies in it.

Let the excess drip back into the bowl,

and perfection.

You can dip anything you want into the tempered chocolate.

Cookies, dried fruit, or serve over cake.

(theme music)