bulk buying chocolate

georgieb_2

Hi there,
No, its not coz I have a bad chocolate addiction but I have decided to make chocolates for xmas presents with my new silicon moulds (lakeland !)
Where would the best place be for buying good quality chocolate in bulk at a good price? I wondered about aldi or lidl but not sure.
Also any good receipes for chocolates other than just chocolate!
I know someone on this great forum would be able to help me!
Thanks in advance
Georgie x

pretz_2

not sure where to bulk buy the chocolate from but if you go over to the special occassions board they have a thread about chocolate slabs which is what people have made also its all different flavours etc

buxtonrabbitgreen

Buying chocolate. Sainsburys basic slabs of choc are ok and about 23p.
never made chocolates but maybe you could coat fudge or pepermint creams with melted chocolate.

greenbee

You need to make sure you get really good quality chocolate, so do your research. If I'm making small quantities I use Green & Black's cooking choc, but most serious chocolate makers use Valrhona (available from the Chocolate Society http://www.chocolate.co.uk/eMerchantPro/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=53)

There are lots of ideas available on the web. The easiest way of doing filled chocolates is to use a base of ganache (chocolate & cream) in milk, white and dark, with different flavours e.g. liqueurs, nuts, dried fruit, orange/lemon zest etc. Cherries in kirsch are good but messy. Think of the flavours you like and go from there.

Truffles can be made from ganache (flavoured if you prefer) rolled in nuts, coconut, cocoa powder or icing sugar - also look for edible glitter and gold & silver leaf in specialist shops. A combination of filled and rolled chocs looks great together.

Do you have instructions with your moulds? Remember, you need to create the shell using thin layers of chocolate rather than one thick one, and make sure it is completely set before adding the filling. Chill after filling, then add chocolate to make the lid (bottom of chocolate).

Have fun!

Jem8472

Dont forget to temper the chocolate so its not all melty when you handle them.

georgieb_2

hey hey hang on! this all sounded so easy and suddenly its sounding really complicated!
great advice so far thanks, but temper whats that??
crikey i am getting nervous now!!

Jem8472

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chocolate#Tempering

Hope that helps. I did not find tempering too hard. But there is a big thread about making chocolate. I am sure that will be of great help.

kentmama

I have recipe that is easy peasy I used to make with the kids, no tempering involve not even bad tempering when they used to eat more than they made:rotfl:
Melt 3 oz chocolate and use to line 14 little tin foil sweet cases (best coz they keep their shape)
Then melt 2 oz of butter and 2 level tblsp of golden syrup in a saucepan
Add 2 level tblsp of Marvel or similar low fat instant milk granules
Boil till deep golden brown
Cool slightly then spoon into chocolate cases (they will met slightly this is why foil cases are best but don't touch them an they will harden up on cooling)
When nearly set push a chocolate button into the top of each one at a jaunty angle
Done:A
They are really moreish yum yum
I ued to make double the number each time

nesssie1702

I've used the Lidl chocolate before when I'm making things as it's got a high % of cocoa bean and the plain chocolate is really good quality.

Depending on the quantities that you're talking about you might be better (and cheaper) going to the likes of the commercial suppliers like Callebaut