HOW TO MAKE CHOCOLATE CURLS TO DECORATE CAKES

today I am making a classic checkerboard cake and I want the outside to look just as pleasing and beautiful as the inside.. so I will decorate with chocolate shavings and curls…

BEFORE

AFTER

To make the curls, use a milk chocolate works best but white and dark chocolate can be used as well.. make sure chocolate is at ROOM TEMPERATURE. Carefully shave thin strips from the narrow side of the bar or wide strips from the bottom with a vegetable peeler or a sharp knife. the chocolate strips will curl as you cut.. the longer the strokes the  larger the curls.

It is important to work fast, have choc at room temp, and have hands and peeler COOL enough so curls wont break or melt under them. A toothpick works great to pick up curls and place where desired.. store all unused curls in a plastic container with lid in fridge.

For a “finished” look to your cake, use one or more of the following garnishes, choosing any design you wish. Another way to be creative.

Animal Crackers

Butterscotch, Peanut Butter, Milk Chocolate, Or Mint Chocolate Pieces

Candied Fruit- Whole or cut up

Chocolate flavored decorations

Coconut- Dyed, Grated, or Shredded

Colored sugars

Flowers around the cakes base or center of cake

Gumdrops, whole or cut up

Jellied Cranberry Sauce cutouts

Lemon or Orange peel cutouts

Mandarin Orange Sections

Marshmallows, whole or cut up

Mint Leaves

Nuts-whole or chopped

Peppermint candies and canes,whole or crushed

Raisins

Semi Sweet Chocolate pieces or white chocolate

Small candies, m&m’s ect….

Strawberries, whole or halved..

Graham Cracker Crumbs, cookies whole or crushed.. ect..

here I used some grated Chocolate