Using Collectible Chocolate Molds for Christmas
Making Chocolate Tastes Best, Decorative Uses are Great Too!
Nov 13, 2009
Tin coated chocolate molds were produced starting about 1830. They were mass produced by as many as 24 companies. Some of the companies converted to plastic or other types of molds and are still making molds. Tin molds are prized for their fine detail. Brown Bag cookie molds were produced beginning in 1983. These highly collectible ceramic molds are no longer produced, except for one mold a year, the proceeds being donated to charity. House on the Hill makes highly detailed resin and wood composite replicas of antique molds.
Molding Decorative Chocolate
Ornate tin molds were mainly used to produce chocolates. Other molds can be used as well. Chocolate needs to be tempered, an easy process. Tempering gives the finished product a shiny finish and crisp texture. Any chocolate can be used, and there are chocolates specifically sold for use with molds.
Rather than pouring the chocolate into the open end of the mold, pour the chocolate into each half. Fill the lowest places first. Chocolate doesn't naturally settle into the voids. Use a combination of pushing and tapping to completely fill the halves. Clip the halves together, filling any holes and refrigerate until completely cold before removing the chocolate. The heat from your hands can warm the tin quickly, it may be necessary to return it to the refrigerator before removing the other half of the mold.
Modern plastic molds are one sided and have fewer details. Again, any chocolate will work as long as it is properly tempered and the filling instructions above are followed. They do have an advantage in that it's easier to see if the mold is full. Brown bag cookie molds can also be used for chocolate because they are non-porous, and won't absorb the chocolate.
Molding Delicious Cookies
The Dutch mold speculaas, German molded cookies are springerle, and, of course, there's Scottish shortbread. Marzipan, more a candy than a cookie, can also be used in molds. What they all have in common is they are all a smooth, delicious, easily formed dough with the consistancy of play dough and recipes for all can be easily found on-line. Call the kids and enjoy the creative fun.
Decorative Molding
If the chocolate and cookies get eaten up, more permanent decorations can be molded with paper, wax, or polymer clay. Paper isn't recommended for tin molds, the moisture can cause them to rust. Reuse old burned down candles, paraffin, or beeswax to make wax ornaments, with a loop of ribbon or candlewick for hanging. A baked polymer clay impression can be used to create a flexible rubber or silicone mold for wax or paper.
Whether making edible or non-edible decorative Christmas ornaments, molds are a fun, easy way to create Christmas cheer. No time to fill molds? Hang them as an ornament. Invite friends and family to join the fun and make warm Christmas memories.
HOL101
 |
 |
 |
 |
