How To Dip Candy and Truffles

This Post May Contain Affiliate Links. Please Read Our Disclosure Policy.

A How To Guide That Covers EVERYTHING you want to know on how to make perfect chocolate candies and truffles!

baking 101: how to dip candy and truffles

Hey Everyone! I’m baaaaack…(ok that sounded creepy) but I am back with another Baking 101 post for you. A few weeks ago I decided to start a Baking 101 series where we get all super nerdy and talk about the nitty gritty of baking. I mean love sharing recipes with you, but if we were in the kitchen together I’d probably start going off about yeast, or tempering chocolate, or how to measure your flour, or measure anything really when it comes to baking. Yea, I could seriously talk about baking all day. 

So this time, we are talking chocolate people. Yay! One of my favorite topics! A couple years ago I took a chocolate making class at the Cambridge Culinary School (if you have the privilege of taking a class there do it. They are fabulous) and I had such an appreciation for chocolate making after taking that class. Making chocolate is no joke. There really is a reason why paying $4 or $5 for one single truffle is totally reasonable. The time, effort, precision, and quality that goes into each one is impressive. But today, we are going to talk about how to dip your candy and truffles. 

As the summer heats up I tend to make more and more no bake treats. And one no bake treat I always find myself making is a oreo truffle. Dipping candy and truffles is not always an easy task and you can find yourself super frustrated in no time. This process takes patience and practice! So if you try your hand at making chocolate coated candy or truffles- remember perfection takes time! But here is a comprehensive go to guide to help you make perfect truffles and candy in no time!

baking 101: how to dip candy and truffles

Best Tools For Dipping Candy and Truffles

  1. Cookie Scoop. You need a sturdy cookie scoop to get this job done. You also want to ensure that your candy is all the same size. You could use a tablespoon in a pinch, but investing in a cookie scoop will save time and frustration in the long run. You can get a great cookie scoop here.
  2. Silicon baking mat. I like to freeze my truffles before dipping them, so I like to place them on a silicon baking mat before doing so. Parchment paper works too, but I love that I can wash this mat and use it again and again with no waste! You can get a great set of 2 baking mats here.
  3. Chocolate Melting Pot. I’ll talk more about why this thing is so great. You do have other options when it comes to melting your chocolate, but out of all the options this is by far the best one. Trust me. You do not have to worry about your chocolate burning, and it is the easiest way to melt your chocolate. You can purchase a melting pot here.
  4. Chocolate Dipping Tools. I will talk about another method of dipping your chocolates further in the post, but if you plan to make more candy and truffles in the future, or want to make them look as professional as possible then I highly suggest investing in these dipping tools. The metal ones work the best in my opinion.  You can get a set of dipping tools here.

baking 101: how to dip candy and truffles

A Few Tips

  1. Scoop and Freeze! Dipping your truffle or candy works better when they are colder so they don’t fall apart when you go to dip the candy. I like to use a 1-inch cookie scoop to make even sized truffles then roll them in the palm of my hands. Place them on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet, or use a silicone baking mat. Then freeze for 10-30 minutes. You can also do this a day ahead and then dip the second day if you are short on time.
  2. Take a Few Out at a Time. Trust me you can’t dip 3 dozen truffles in record time, so that by the time you get to the last one it’s still frozen. Trust me. You can’t. So take a few out, dip those, go back to the freeze for more. Otherwise you will have your truffles falling off into the warm chocolate creating one GIANT mess. 
  3. Sprinkles Are Your Best Friend.  Making candy and truffles takes patience and practice. So the first few times you try this out, your truffles make look less than perfect. That’s where sprinkles come in super handy. Sprinkles a few on top after you dip your truffles, before your chocolate sets up to cover up any inperfections. And get creative- you don’t have to use sprinkles! Try mixing it up with graham cracker crumbs, cake crumbs, nuts, or coconut!

baking 101: how to dip candy and truffles

How To Melt Your Chocolate

Ok so this isn’t the first time I’ve made chocolate covered anything on this blog. I’ve tackled this process a few different way on melting the chocolate. Here are few different suggestions-

  1. Microwave– I have definitely used my microwave countless times to melt the chocolate. Like these 3-ingredient turtles. And these Football Oreo Truffles perfect for game day. The microwave can be your friend or your foe. How to make sure to not burn your chocolate- Microwave in 30 second intervals. Stir. Repeat. Just be sure to stir in between interval so as to ensure you don’t burn the chocolate! With this process though you might run into your chocolate hardening again on your before you have used it up. My suggestion: Only melt a little chocolate- a cup or so-at a time. Click here for a full tutorial on how to melt your chocolate in the microwave. 
  2. Double Boiler– Another great method. One I probably use the least. A double boiler is simple a heat resistant bowl set over a pot of barely simmering water. You don’t want the water to touch the bottom of the bowl, and you want to keep an eye on the water so it doesn’t just burn up and disappear on you. The good thing on this method is it keeps the chocolate melted for you.
  3. Chocolate Melting Pot– Ok this might be my favorite method of all time. This chocolate melting pot by Wilton  is by far the easiest method to melt your chocolate I think. All you need to do is throw your chocolate in, turn it on, and let it melt. Also, it keeps it warm and melted for you as you dip all those truffles. So easy to use. And this melting pot also comes with some dipping tools as well. 

How To Dip Them

  1. Fork and Toothpick Method. Ok sounds fancy right? Ok you’re right, it doesn’t. But it gets the job done. This method I’ve relied on until I invested in fancy dipping tools. You simply place your truffle on your fork, dip and roll it around in your chocolate. And then with the truffle on the fork after it’s all covered, be sure to let the excess drip off. Tap your hand, not the fork because it’s less impact on the truffle to get the excess chocolate off. Then place your truffle back on your cookie sheet and use the toothpick to help slide the truffle off carefully. It’s not fancy, but it gets the job done!
  2. Dipping tools– Ok, so when you’re ready to upgrade you can purchase these candy dipping tools. They work the same way as the fork and toothpick method, but the tongs are skinnier than a fork, so less chocolate is wasted. They have nice long handles too. If you buy the chocolate melting pot by Wilton, it does come with a set, but they are plastic. I find the metal ones work better because they are little thinner and not as clunky to use. 

baking 101: how to dip candy and truffles

What Chocolate To Use
Again you have a few options here. 

  1. Chocolate Chips. Not my favorite because they don’t always melt well, due to the additives in the chips. I’ve used them in a pinch, and they can work. These are definitely my least favorite, but if it’s all you got then go for it. Keep in mind, the chip are more difficult to melt, keep smooth, and not end up ceasing up on you in the end into one big chunky mess.
  2. Candiquick. You usually can buy this in most grocery stores. It’s usually found where you would find the rest of your chocolate and baking items. This option melts easily and comes in its own microwaveable tray too!
  3.  Candy Melts- I love candy melts and have used them a bunch of times. They come in a variety of colors so you can stick to traditional white, or have fun and pick colors that match your holiday theme. Fourth of July? Make them red, white, and blue. Halloween- make them orange and black (yes they even have black!).  You can get them off of Amazon, but I prefer to buy them at Michaels (or a similar craft store). I can usually get a coupon online and get a great deal on them!

A Few Recipes To Try

Now that you have the skills and tips- go out and make some yourself! Here are a few recipes to get you started!



 

2 Comments

  1. Love your tips. Hope you can help me. I have to make 200 dipped truffles for my granddaughters wedding and wondering if I can make them ahead and freeze. Not sure if the candy melts will “bloom” when I take them out of the freezer. Thanks so much!

    1. Hi Val! I would freeze the truffles undipped. They will freeze well for 6 weeks. Then allow them to thaw in the refrigerator before coating! Good luck and congrats to your granddaughter!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More You'll Love!