Help needed for Chocolate Dipping - I am desperate!

[nola276]

I really think you might have to start a new thread for HELP!  Just for me

I am having terrible trouble dipping RaRa's Cherry Bites into chocolate.  I have so far wasted 500 grams of chocolate over 2 days, and my Cherry Bites look more like disasters - they certainly are not cheery cherry bites.

Yesterday I melted the chocolate in the Thermie.  Put said bites onto small fork.  Warm in kitchen so Bite fell off fork into chocolate.  Chocolate warm so Bite went out of shape even more.  Dug around in Chocolate and lifted blessed Bite into small coloured pattie pan paper.  Fork stuck under darn bite.  Removed fork from rotten Bite, taking half of  *##** bite with it.  Result not pretty.  Went and had a wine.

Tried again this morning. melted chocolate in microwave.  Lowered very firm (fridge overnight) Bite into melted chocolate.  Chocolate firming on darn bite as it is very cold.  Turning wretched Bite around in bowl a few times, trying to get it out.  Tennis ball size *##** bite out of bowl.  Phone rings.  Minor emergency dealt with, back to Hell.  Not enough melted chocolate left in bowl to coat any more Calamity Bites.

I have 6 balls left to do.  The others look like they have lost a fight with a hedgehog.  Will have to turn out the lights when I serve them.  

Please, Please, Please ladies, is there any simple way to coat these things.

[achookwoman]

Nolan I feel for you.  Have done the fork thing,  but difficult.  you need a special round wire dipper especially for dipping balls.in chocolate. You also need a lot more chocolate than you are going to use.  The leftover chocolate can sit in fridge, covered, until you need it again.  I always melt the choc in the microwave.  With this special wire dipper you can drip off excess chocolate.  If it is very cold , then sit the chocolate in a dish of hot water.  DONT get any water in the choco.  Take your time, don't rush. 

[Cuilidh]

Nola, thank you for making me laugh - it sounds like you are having a real battle there and coming through with a smile on your face - you and Leesmac should get together to discuss your writing styles!

There was some discussion on dipping things in chocolate a good few months ago, unfortunately I haven't got time to find it for you now, but what I used for these cherry bites was a small open woven scoop / spoon that I got from one of the Chinese grocers and that worked well.  I'm sure you'll get more ideas flooding in before too long to help you.

Good luck and keep smiling - the bites are worth the pain!

[RosieB]

LOL.  Nola,  I feel your frustration.
I had a very similar dilemma.  I think I will buy one of these little asian dippers.  I have seen them many time but never had a use for them before.
I tried using forks.  No joy.  Just broken balls and messy chocolate.
A few I firmly skewered onto toothpicks and just left the toothpick in place so the looked like lolly pops.
Others I rolled in hundreds and thousands, coconut or drinking chocolate.
The end result was an assortment of Cherry balls.  No need to admit it was not all planned to be that way   

[CreamPuff63]

nola, the art of chocolate dipping was discussed here on would you believe Rara's Cherry Bites  coulda saved yourself some frustration  (made me laugh but!)

[hools003]

I love the way you write Nola, made me laugh yet again.
I have made these heaps. Best way if you don't have a choc dipper is to roll the bites roughly( not too big) and drop them onto a tray covered with glad bake. Chuck in the fridge for about half an hour. Take out and re roll them so they are smooth! Melt choc in microwave but don't overheat and stir stir stir until melted. Use 2 teaspoons and drop 1 bite into bowl, roll it around and pick it up with 1 spoon and transfer to other then onto paper. Does that make sense?
If all else fails, finish off your bottle of wine and start again another day 
they really are easy once you get the hang of it! Good luck

[nola276]

Thank you for all your sympathetic vibes and helpful suggestions girls.  After this morning's disaster, it was too early to have a wine, so I went to the Kitchen Warehouse for some therapy.  One chocolate dipper and several other bits of unnecessary but very healing sundry equipment later, I am well and truly set to make another enormous mess.  Off to read RaRa's post in full.

[cookie1]

Nola did you go to the new one in William St? I went there last Saturday and the poor things were still setting it up.
Thanks for the chuckle about your coating rara's cherry bites.

[maddy]

It can be tricky Nola.

Your best to use a smaller circumference bowl, with tall sides.  It helps stop chasing the ball around in the chocolate 
I can't recommend enough the chocolate fondue pot (K-mart - $12.00), for any dipping.



I heat the choc melts in the microwave, pour it into the fondue pot, add 2 Tbsp. melted copha, and it keeps the chocolate gently warmed and thin enough for dipping and getting a smoother appearance.  Any left over gets poured into silicone cupcake trays, cool and set and kept air tight for next time (as long as there's no stray food bits)

The dipper tool works well, and also two forks.
Chill the bites well before dipping, then submerge the ball gently with the forks, don't roll it around, then lift up and let excess drip off before placing on greaseproof paper.

If your still not happy with the appearance, sprinkle them with coconut 
In the end.....the taste counts 

[nola276]

Oh Maddy, I may have to slip over to K-mart before the day is out.  Handy tip re the Copha too.  By the time I have finished I will have spent close to $60.00 on Rara's Cherry Bites.  Well you can't take it with you!   When I tell Hubby what they cost, he will no doubt finish the wine.

[cookie1]

ROFL.

[maddy]

Oh Maddy, I may have to slip over to K-mart before the day is out.  Handy tip re the Copha too.  By the time I have finished I will have spent close to $60.00 on Rara's Cherry Bites.  Well you can't take it with you!   When I tell Hubby what they cost, he will no doubt finish the wine.

LOL....I am very considerate, and never mention figures for anything Nola......less painful you see 
The picture jogged my memory.....there is fondue sticks in the set, so maybe you try dipping with those as well.

[judydawn]

Nola, thanks for a good laugh today.  I had been out shopping for a few hours and coincidentally had bought 2 of those chocolate fondue sets (one for DD) as I also hate dipping things in chocolates and I remembered maddy mentioning this before.
I hope you now have all the necessary tools to make this job so much easier.  Hang the cost, having the right tools is more important.  After all the hassles you had, I do hope you enjoy those #/!#*?! cherry bites 

[nola276]

Oh JudyDawn, enjoying them won't be the problem.  I know that because a couple of the more damaged offerings fell into my mouth on the way to the fridge.  Anyway, I like eating in the dark .

Cookie, I didn't go to the William street store, I can't remember the last time I went to Perth.  Oh yes, that's right, jury duty!  I went to Midland where I bought my TC.  Usually fairly quick from Forrestfield, but Murphy was doing his thing today, and roadworks meant me sitting in bumper to bumper traffic for 1/2 hour.  (Some people will do anything for a bit of retail therapy )

[cookie1]

I believe that is a lovely store Nola. Actually there is a new one in William St Cannington, right near the railway line where the Good Guys and several other stores are.