Sunday, March 25, 2012

Kitchie Tip: How to Make Chocolate Curls

Before getting to the promised task at hand, I have some majorly big business to address.  First, (I am still in a state of shock and disbelief) thank you so much to everyone that voted me into the FoodBuzz Top 9 on Friday!  The Dark Chocolate Mocha Buttercream Cake I made last weekend was both fun and therapeutic for me, and the fact that it made into the Top 9 was a major win for me.  So, thank you, thank you and thank you!  I actually started crying when I read the first email congratulating me on Top 9.  It means a lot.

Second, I have a winner for the OXO salad spinner giveaway I posted last week.  The winner was lucky number 5, jwfong, which random.org selected for me.  Congratulations!  I'll be in touch shortly. 

Now, onto the star of the show...chocolate curls (like the ones on top of my cake that made the Top 9, surely it was the curls that got it there).

How-to: Chocolate Curls

3 ounces chocolate (I used bittersweet)
1 tablespoon coconut oil (shortening can be substituted)

Melt the chocolate and coconut oil in the microwave in 30 second increments, stirring after each increment, until completely melted and smooth.

Using an offset spatula, spread the chocolate on an overturned rimmed baking sheet, until smooth and evenly distributed.  Put the entire baking sheet into the freezer for 2 minutes. 




Remove from the freezer and, using an overturned metal spatula (turner), lightly push the chocolate away from you to form the curls.  If the chocolate is too hard, it will not curl and will look like this:

If this is the case, allow to sit at room temperature for 30-60 seconds more and then try again.  Repeat until the chocolate is the right temperature and the chocolate curls easily under the spatula, like so:


The chocolate will melt very quickly if touched, so try to to move the chocolate to a ceramic plate or other cool surface using the spatula.  Put them in the refrigerator as soon as possible and keep there until you are ready to use them.

Because the chocolate is spread so thinly, you will likely have to return it to the freezer several times during the curling process because it will begin to melt quickly.

When you are ready to use the curls, remove from the fridge and work quickly to decorate your cake/cupcake/etc. touching the curls as little as possible.  Once you've gussied up your awesome dessert with these curls, go ahead...

Eat it!!

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36 comments:

  1. Balvinder (Neetu)March 25, 2012 at 8:47 PM

    This was an informative tutorial.

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  2. JackieMarch 25, 2012 at 11:33 PM

    I've never made chocolate curls but now I'm gonna try! My daughters 2nd birthday is next weekend, and this would be perfect for her cake! I'll let you know how it goes :)

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  3. AlyssaMarch 26, 2012 at 5:33 AM

    Congrats on top 9! When I recently made it for the first time, I think I walked around in shock all day. That cake was beautiful and totally deserved to be highlighted. Cool way to make chocolate curls. I've never tried before, but I feel like I have to now!

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  4. Liz That Skinny Chick Can BakeMarch 26, 2012 at 5:38 AM

    I was thrilled to see your post made the top 9...it deserved it!!! And thanks for the wonderful step by step technique for making chocolate curls...I'll ddefinitely give it a shot :)

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  5. LeanneMarch 26, 2012 at 6:06 AM

    Awesome! Congrats on the Top 9! These curls are so pretty. I need to try this! Might be nice on top of a cupcake too!

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  6. AbbyMarch 26, 2012 at 7:04 AM

    Great tutorial! You definitely saved me some frustration ; ) Congrats on top 9!!

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  7. The Smart Cookie CookMarch 26, 2012 at 8:27 AM

    Congrats on the Top 9! In the past, I've made chocolate curls by dragging a potato peeler over a bar of chocolate. Totally worked, but they were on the smaller side. This method sounds so much better! Next time I need chocolate curls, I will do this for sure.

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  8. RavieNomNomsMarch 26, 2012 at 11:55 AM

    Congrats on the top 9 and thanks for the how to! Very helpful!

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  9. Kiri W.March 26, 2012 at 12:07 PM

    Oh wow, perfect! I have no idea about these things, great advice :)

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  10. Crunchy Creamy SweetMarch 26, 2012 at 12:16 PM

    I was so happy to see your cake in the Top9, Maggie! This tutorial is so helpful - thank you for posting it! xoxo

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  11. TinaRBKMarch 26, 2012 at 1:26 PM

    I am so glad you did this tutorial because I have something coming up which requires this skill. The recipe does not really get into it very much, but your tutorial here is very informative. Thanks so much! Have a great day!

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  12. Choc Chip UruMarch 26, 2012 at 1:52 PM

    You make it look so simple - I am never able to do it!
    Thanks for the tips and pictorial :)

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru
    Latest: Jaffa Fudge Nutella Cookie + More

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  13. Cucina49March 26, 2012 at 3:54 PM

    I'm so glad you did a tutorial on this--I am pathetic at such things. Congratulations on top 9 for your gorgeous cake!

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  14. Vicki BensingerMarch 26, 2012 at 8:58 PM

    Great tutorial. Your chocolate curls look perfect.

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  15. Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love.March 26, 2012 at 9:04 PM

    Aww, congrats on Top 9! You totally deserved it!

    And what a helpful tutorial!

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  16. Baking SerendipityMarch 26, 2012 at 9:40 PM

    Congrats on Top 9! You've made these curls look so simple...and they are the perfect touch to a dessert! Thanks for the inspiration :)

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  17. jwfongMarch 27, 2012 at 12:05 AM

    Ahhh! I won!! Also, I never knew how to make these chocolate curls :)

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  18. Anita at Hungry CoupleMarch 27, 2012 at 4:42 AM

    Congratulations on the Top 9. If chocolate curls don't get you an honor like that than something is wrong! :) Great tutorial because I wouldn't know to put the oil in there. Our favorite bakery cake has lots of chocolate curls on top and they always mysteriously disappear long before the cake is eaten :)

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  19. MonetMarch 27, 2012 at 8:16 AM

    Smile. You deserve to be in the Top 9! I'm so glad you were honored (and I know it will happen, again and again. Thank you for sharing this tutorial. I am making a chocolate tart this weekend, and some white chocolate curls will be perfect!

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  20. Valerie's KitchenMarch 27, 2012 at 10:18 AM

    Chocolate curls just really take a dessert over the top...and the cake is to die for Maggie!

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  21. Crunchy Creamy SweetMarch 27, 2012 at 11:32 AM

    It's me again, just popping by - wanted to let you know I awarded you the Versatile Blogger Award and the Happy Blogger Award :) xoxo

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  22. Jennifer KendallMarch 27, 2012 at 1:30 PM

    Congrats on the top 9, that cake was seriously awesome! and thanks for explaining how to do those beautiful chocolate curls!

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  23. Katherine MartinelliMarch 27, 2012 at 1:40 PM

    This is so simple but yields such gorgeous results! Thanks for the great tip :-)

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  24. DanielleMarch 27, 2012 at 2:57 PM

    Thanks for sharing! I always feel like pfft yeah I know I can make chocolate curls..then time comes..and i have chocolate sprinkles..I have admitted it at least and that's half the battle isn't it?

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  25. RachelMarch 28, 2012 at 11:20 AM

    These look beautiful but I can anticipate the frustration I would feel with them as they fail...I don't know if I am ready for that :)

    You cake still is just absolutely gorgeous and congrats again on the Top 9 honor...completely deserved.

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  26. kaleMarch 28, 2012 at 11:43 AM

    Congrats on the top 9! I love this post; it's such a good idea to show how to make chocolate curls, and I like that you showed how it could be a bit off and how to fix it. Thank you!

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  27. Nicole, RDMarch 28, 2012 at 12:32 PM

    Maggie, thanks for your sweet comment on my blog! I'm so glad it lead me back to yours :) Your baking...um, wow! Serious skill! When it comes to baking, I usually expect the worst - it's definitely not my forte, but my goodness, desserts make me weak in the knees! :) Looking forward to reading (and drooling!) more!

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  28. Angie's RecipesMarch 28, 2012 at 12:43 PM

    Love basics...this is very practical and helpful.

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  29. Aylin @ Glow KitchenMarch 28, 2012 at 1:05 PM

    Oo I never knew how to do this! Thank you for showing. That can only mean one thing -- i have to have ice cream in order to test those chocolate curls out

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  30. Cassie | Bake Your DayMarch 28, 2012 at 2:28 PM

    This is a great tip, thanks for sharing. And that cake, oh goodness, it's beautiful!

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  31. shannonMarch 28, 2012 at 2:47 PM

    maggie, you're awesome for this! great tutorial, and it will certainly come in handy at my house. :) thanks!

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  32. Dionne BaldwinMarch 28, 2012 at 3:33 PM

    Oooo I always wanted to know how to make these! I can make chocolate shavings with a peeler and a bar of chocolate but the curls have always been a bit of a challenge. I was doing it wrong. Thanks for this!!

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  33. KarenMarch 28, 2012 at 4:27 PM

    They sure look pretty, but it might be a little too fussy and patience testing for me :) Nice tutorial!

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  34. Baker StreetMarch 29, 2012 at 2:16 AM

    Great tutorial! Its so essential to let the chocolate temper and come down to the right temperature.

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  35. BethMarch 29, 2012 at 6:26 PM

    Your cake looked gorgeous, and I'm so happy for you that it made the top 9! Congratulations! The chocolate curls were just one part of that awesome photo.

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  36. KaterinaMarch 30, 2012 at 2:59 AM

    The chocolate curls are gorgeous and add so much to the cake! Congratulations on entering the top 9!

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