There are so many ways to enjoy chocolate. Whether you’re using cocoa powder in a cake, HERSHEY’S Chocolate Syrup in your milk or simply savoring a HERSHEY’S KISSES Candy, you know the joy it can bring to moments. Learning how to melt chocolate chips opens up a whole new set of possibilities, from coating fresh fruits to drizzling on top of a homemade pie. So, let’s explore some of the techniques and uses for perfectly melted chocolate chips.
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When you were a kid, what was your favorite kind of cookie? If you answered “chocolate chip” you’re not alone. In fact, many surveys confirmed that a classic chocolate chip cookie remains a fan favorite. Why? The chocolate chips, of course! And all the fond memories that come along with them.
But there’s more to baking with chocolate chips than nostalgic cookie recipes. And once you learn how to melt chocolate chips, you’ll be able to unlock a whole new category of recipes and techniques.
Best Ways to Melt Chocolate Chips
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Chocolate chips are ideal for melting because they’re already in small, uniform pieces. When you melt chocolate bars, you need to break or cut them up first, but you can skip that step for chocolate chips.
There are a few methods for melting chocolate, but they all share the same basic rules:
- Heat gradually – If chocolate chips heat up too fast, they might burn. Keep in mind, too, that melting time will vary depending on the kind of chocolate you use, so keep a close eye on them.
- Keep them dry – If water gets into your chocolate while it’s melting, it could become lumpy and separated. The only real thing to do when chocolate splits is to start over, so be careful around water or steam!
- Have a plan – Whether you’re dipping fruits or making a cake, know how you want to use your chocolate and set things up before you begin. That way, you’ll be able to work fast while your chocolate is still liquid and smooth.
Now that you have those rules in mind, you can start pulling out your supplies to get started.
Adding Vegetable Shortening to Melted Chocolate
There are plenty of recipes that call for pure melted chocolate, but you may want to add a little something extra. When melted chocolate hardens again, it can take on a matte or clouded finish. Adding vegetable shortening will give your melted chocolate a shiny luster and more workable texture once it cools. One tablespoon of shortening for every cup of chocolate should do the trick.
Now that you know about this useful add-in, we can go over the melting methods! The two most popular ways to melt chocolate are in the microwave or in a double boiler. They’ll both give you the gradual heat you need to warm your chocolate evenly and keep it silky.
How to Melt Chocolate Chips in the Microwave
Using the microwave to melt chocolate chips is a quick and convenient choice. You’ll have perfectly melted chocolate in a matter of minutes with hardly any cleanup afterward!
Supplies You’ll Need to Melt Chocolate Chips in the Microwave
It only takes a couple standard kitchen supplies to make perfectly melted chocolate in the microwave. Get the following out on your counter:
- A microwave-safe bowl that’s large enough to hold all your chocolate, plus extra room for stirring.
- A spoon or spatula to mix the melted chocolate between heating.
Instructions and Melting Times
The best way to melt chocolate chips in the microwave is to reduce the power to 50% and heat in 10- or 15-second intervals. Mix your chocolate thoroughly before starting the next wave to make sure it melts evenly. Remember, slow and steady does it.
Pro Tip: Don’t cover your bowl while it heats because condensation could build up and introduce water to the mix, which is bad for melted chocolate.
Melting Times
The total amount of time you spend melting chocolate will depend on how much you stir between heating and the strength of your microwave, but here are some ballpark cook times:
- Milk Chocolate Chips – about 2 minutes
- Dark Chocolate Chips – about 2 minutes
- White Creme Chips – about 1 minute
How to Melt Chocolate Chips in a Double Boiler on the Stove
The next most common way to melt chocolate chips is in a double boiler. This sounds fancier than it is, so don’t be intimidated! You likely already have everything you need in your cabinet now.
Supplies You’ll Need to Melt Chocolate Chips in a Double Boiler
To set up your own double boiler, you’ll just need to place a heat-safe bowl on top of a pot of hot water. This technique uses indirect heat to melt your chocolate gently and gradually. Many bakers have learned the hard way that heating chocolate chips directly in a pan will heat them too fast and cause them to burn or stick.
Here are the things you’ll need for your very own double boiler at home:
- A small saucepan
- A heat-safe bowl that fits in your saucepan without touching the bottom (a stainless-steel mixing bowl is usually a good choice)
Instructions and Melting Times
One of the advantages of using a double boiler is that it’s easier to introduce other ingredients (like vegetable shortening) while your chocolate is slowly melting. But you’ll need to be extra careful not to let any water get into the mix.
Instructions
- Pour about ½ inch to 1 inch of water into your saucepan and heat on high until it boils.
- Once your water is boiling, reduce to a simmer and place your bowl on top — be careful not to let the bottom of the bowl touch the water and make sure there are no gaps around the rim. The inside of your bowl should stay completely dry.
- Pour your chocolate chips into the bowl and stir as they start melting.
- When your melted chocolate becomes smooth and consistent, you can take your bowl off the heat and turn off the stove.
- Use your melted chocolate for any number of recipes or as a dipping sauce.
Melting Times
Different kinds of chocolate chips may take longer or shorter amounts of time, but here are the general timing guidelines to give you an idea of how long it should take to melt ½ cup of each:
- Milk Chocolate Chips – about 4 minutes
- Dark Chocolate Chips – about 4 minutes
- White Creme Chips – about 3 minutes
Melting Chocolate Chips FAQs
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The best add-in for melting chocolate is actually vegetable shortening. It has a neutral taste that won’t change the flavor of your chocolate, and the texture of shortening will make your chocolate easier to work with once it melts.
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You can expect your chocolate chips to melt down to about half of your starting volume. If you're melting 1 cup of chocolate chips, you'll get 1/2 cup of melted chocolate. Any additions you make, like vegetable shortening, will increase your volume slightly.
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Yes! In most cases, it will be important to add some extra fat to the mix if you’re “reactivating” chocolate that has already been melted and hardened. Repeating the process might make your chocolate chips less flavorful and they probably won’t harden again, but there are still plenty of uses for soft remelted chocolate chips.
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If your chocolate becomes lumpy from heating too quickly or coming into contact with water, that’s called seizing. Seized chocolate can be difficult to recover from, but one trick you can try is slowly adding fat (like vegetable shortening) to increase the fat content and improve the texture of your chocolate.
Melted Chocolate Chip Recipes
Now that you know all the secrets of melting chocolate chips, you can apply your skills to so many great HERSHEY’S recipes! Here are some of our most popular desserts to try:
