This How to Make Chocolate Curls tutorial is an easy-to-follow guide with each step broken out with instructions and video, as well as what tools you will need.
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How to Make Chocolate Curls Tutorial
Step 1 - Melt the chocolate and vegetable shortening.
In a medium-size glass bowl, add the chocolate and vegetable shortening then microwave in 45-second increments at 50% power until the vegetable shortening is hot and has completely melted. Then using a small spatula, mix together until the chocolate is nice and smooth.
Items needed: 3 ounces of a good quality bar of chocolate, 1 tablespoon of vegetable shortening, a medium glass bowl, and a small spatula
Step 2 - Spread the melted chocolate out onto a cookie sheet or jelly roll pan.
Using an offset spatula, immediately spread the melted chocolate out onto the underside of a cookie sheet or jelly roll pan. Continue to spread the chocolate out until it's a thin layer.
Items needed: small offset spatula, small cookie sheet or jelly roll pan
Step 3 - Freeze the Thin Layer of Chocolate.
Carefully move the cookie sheet or jelly roll pan into the freezer, and leave it there for approximately 4 minutes. You want the chocolate to be in the sweet spot where it's not too soft and it's not rock hard where it will break the minute you try to create the curls. A good indication that it is ready is it will no longer be shiny in appearance and the tip of your finger, when gently touching the chocolate, will leave a subtle fingerprint and not a dent.
Items needed: just your freezer and a timer!
Step 4 - Carve out the curls.
Here comes the fun part, but first take a deep breath! You can do this!
Hold the putty knife or bench scraper in your dominant hand at about a 45-degree angle starting at the bottom of the pan. Then with your other hand, brace the back of the cookie sheet or jelly roll pan.
Gently push forward to get the curl going and stop when you're satisfied with how the curl looks. You can push the whole way across the pan for a larger curl or you can stop every so many inches. It's up to you! Carefully transfer the curl to a plate using either your fingers or tweezers.
Repeat until you have all your chocolate curls transferred over to a place, then place them in the freezer for 15-20 minutes to harden. You can also place them in the refrigerator as well, but it may take a smidge longer.
Items needed: putty knife or a bench scraper, a plate or small pan to hold the chocolate curls, tweezers, knife to cut longer curls
Additional Tips Before Making Homemade Chocolate Curls
- Before starting, make sure you have the freezer space to hold a sheet pan or cookie sheet. Because my freezer space is limited, I used a quarter-size jelly roll pan.
- You will also want to make sure the underside of your cookie sheet or jelly roll pan is smooth. I have some cookie sheets that have a ripple type of top and bottom to them, so they would not work well for something like this.
- If you'd rather use both hands to guide the putty knife or bench scraper, I suggest placing your cookie sheet or jelly roll pan up against a wall to brace it. I've made these chocolate curls as you see in the video and also have my kitchen counter wall as a brace. Both methods get the job done, just go with what feels more comfortable to you!
- I don't recommend doubling this unless you have the freezer space and a larger cookie sheet or pan.
- If you know you like to top your desserts off with some chocolate curls, you can make a bunch of them in advance, then store them in the freezer inside a tightly sealed storage container for several months.
FAQs
I used 3 ounces of a Lindt 70% Cocoa Excellence Bar. You don't have to use dark chocolate or even this brand, but I do recommend getting a good bar of chocolate for these!
The putty knife I used here in this video was 1.5 inches wide, and I bought it solely for the purpose of making chocolate curls. You can get a wider putty knife or you can use a bench scraper (used for cutting pie and bread dough), then cut them to your desired width with a good sharp knife.
If your chocolate begins to get too soft as you curl it, just pop it back into the freezer for 1-2 minutes.
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📖 Recipe
How to Make Chocolate Curls
Author:Equipment
- Small baking sheet or jelly roll pan
- Medium-size mixing bowl
- Spatula
- Offset spatula
- Putty knife or bench scraper
Ingredients
- 3 oz Chocolate (use a good quality bar of chocolate)
- 1 tablespoon Vegetable Shortening
Instructions
- In a medium-size glass bowl, melt the chocolate and vegetable shortening together in 30-45 second increments until just the vegetable shortening has melted completely and is hot. Stir together until the chocolate is melted and smooth. If needed, microwave again for only 15 seconds.3 oz Chocolate, 1 tablespoon Vegetable Shortening
- Pour the melted chocolate over the underside of a cookie sheet or jelly roll pan. Then spread out into a thin layer using an offset spatula.
- Carefully place the cookie sheet or pan into the freezer for approximately 4 minutes. You want the chocolate to be in the sweet spot where it's not too soft and it's not rock hard where it will break the minute you try to create the curls. A good indication that it is ready is it will no longer be shiny in appearance and the tip of your finger—when gently touching the chocolate—will leave a subtle print and not a dent.
- Hold the putty knife or bench scraper in your dominant hand at about a 45 degree angle starting at the bottom of the pan. Then with your other hand, brace the back of the cookie sheet or jelly roll pan. Gently push forward to get the curl going and stop when you're satisfied with how the curl looks. You can push the whole way across the pan for a larger curl or you can stop every so many inches. Carefully transfer the curl to a plate using either your fingers or tweezers.
- Repeat until you have all your chocolate curls transferred over to a place, then place them in the freezer for 15-20 minutes to harden. You can also place them in the refrigerator as well, but it may take a smidge longer.
Video
Nutritonal information provided above is an estimate only and will vary based on specific ingredients used.
camila says
I've made this today! And it was a HUGE success!
I've struggled with chocolate curls for years!!! Literally years! I have been trying to make them, I've watched youtube videos, tried tempering my chocolate, and had failed curls after failed curls!
Who would have thought that the easiest way would be the most successful and beautiful curls I would ever make!!!
Totally amazing. I completely recommend this chocolate curl recipe for anyone!!! You will see how super easy this is!!!
I'd give it 10 stars if I could!