How to Make Chocolate Hearts?

While searching for chocolate heart recipes, you will find many experts explaining how to make sweet delights with expensive ingredients. However, these professionals don’t consider the need of home chiefs looking to make these chocolates. 

To fill this gap, we will help you make chocolate hearts in 5 simple steps using easy-to-find ingredients. Now, anyone can surprise their loved ones with these sweet delights without having to break the bank. 

Nevertheless, you still have to get the basics right for desired flavor and appearance. So, read the rest of the article to learn how to make chocolate hearts like a pro.

Quick Steps to Make Chocolate Hearts at Home

Part 1. Every Ingredient and Tool You Need to Make Silky Chocolate Hearts

To make the occasions special with homemade chocolate heart candy, gather the following ingredients and tools to get started. 

Essential Ingredients for Silky and Smooth Chocolate Hearts

• Quality Chocolate (Dark, White, or Milky)

As a star of the show, chocolate needs to be the first thing on your recipe checklist. Instead of chocolate chips, utilize couverture chocolate or quality bars. With more cocoa butter, these bars create a smooth finish. 

• Cocoa Butter

In case you want extra silkiness, choose to add a small amount of cocoa butter. This ingredient enhances the texture and helps the heart shaped chocolates set with shine.

• Flavor Extracts

To add a delicious twist to your DIY chocolate hearts, add a small amount of any of the available extract. 

• Sweeteners 

When making your own heart chocolates, natural ingredients like honey syrup can prove to be quite effective.

• Fillings 

For extra indulgence, add the magic of caramel, chopped nuts, and dried fruit. All of these will provide fun texture and flavor contrast to your heart shaped chocolates.

• Decoration Ingredients 

While the taste matters, make your chocolate hearts look as good with these ingredients:

• Edible Glitter or Gold Dust 
• Drizzled Chocolate
• Sprinkles 
• Crushed Nuts 
• Freeze-Dried Fruit

All the Equipment You Need to Have for Perfect Chocolate Hearts

• Heart-Shaped Molds 

These guarantee that every chocolate comes out in a perfect heart shape. Silicone molds work best since they make it easy to pop the chocolates out without breaking them.

• Double Boiler or Microwave-Safe Bowl 

Both these tools serve as the key to melting chocolate bars without burning them. A double boiler is the safest way, but the microwave works, too. 

• Silicone Spatula

This equipment helps you stir your melted chocolate to silky perfection. Plus, spatulas can be used to scrape every last bit from the bowl.

• Piping Bag or Spoon

To make the pouring into molds clean, use a piping bag for better control. For less experienced cooks, spoons work just fine.

• Airtight Container 

Once your DIY chocolate hearts are done, store them in an airtight container to keep them fresh. Such a tool will also prevent them from picking up fridge odors.

Part 2. What Are the Steps to Make Smooth and Silky Chocolate Hearts?

Take guidance from the instructions below to surprise your loved ones with homemade chocolates. 

Step 1. Choose the Perfect Heart-Shaped Mold 

First things first, pick the best possible mold to lay the strong foundation. For this, silicone molds from PJ Bold work best because they can pop out the chocolates without breakage. 

Step 2. Prep Your Premium Chocolate Bars and Melt Them 

Skip the waxy chocolate chips and go for premium chocolate bars. To prepare these bars for melting, chop them into small pieces. Also, utilize the following two methods to make the melting process easier than ever. 

Step 4. Fill the Molds Like a Professional Chocolatier

Move forward to fill those chocolate heart molds. While doing so, pour or pipe the melted chocolate into each heart cavity.

To make filled hearts, add a thin layer of chocolate and then add your filling like nut butter. Afterward, simply seal the filling with another layer of chocolate.

Step 5. Let the Heart Chocolates Set for Desired Outcome 

After filling the molds, you can opt for the following two options. 

• Room Temperature

When dealing with tempered chocolate, allow them to sit in a dry place by themselves for nearly three hours.

• Refrigerator

While working on a tough deadline, chill the heart shaped chocolates in the fridge for approximately half an hour.

Decoration and Flavor Variations to Make Your Chocolate Heart Candies Unique

Upon mastering the basics, take help from these decoration ideas and flavor variations.

• Heart Candy Mold - Half Sheet 

Thanks to its deeper cavity, it allows for more indulgent chocolate pieces with room for additional fillings.

• Polycarbonate Heart Mold 

Containing around 21 cavities, these flexible chocolate heart molds can manage around 10 millimeters of melt. 

• Heart Wax Melt Mold

This PJ Bold mold contains multiple cavities of around 0.5 ml in size, which makes it perfect for crafting tiny DIY chocolate hearts in bulk.

Apart from these pre-built molds, PJ Bold also gives its users the capability to order custom molds in any shape and size. Through this, businesses can optimize their branding by crafting chocolates in the shape of their mascots.  

Part 4. Common Problems You Can Face When Making Heart Chocolates

For those looking to perfect the art of heart shaped chocolate-making, we will present some best practices they need to follow. 

1. Chocolates Won’t Release from the Mold

Sometimes, your DIY chocolate hearts can get stuck and refuse to pop out cleanly. Due to this annoying issue, you're left with broken or misshapen hearts.

Best Tips for Effective Release

• To avoid this problem, make use of quality silicone or polycarbonate molds like those from PJ Bold. 
• Refrigerate the chocolates for five extra minutes to make the release easier.

2. Air Bubbles in the Chocolate

Upon accumulating tiny air pockets, your chocolate heart candy can get disoriented. With such a problem, the overall look of your sweet delights will be ruined. 

Best Tips to Avoid Bubbles 

• Always remember to tap the mold gently on the counter after pouring the chocolate.

• Use a piping bag or spoon instead of pouring directly from the bowl.

1. Chocolates Melt Too Quickly in Your Hands

When you fail to refrigerate the heart shaped chocolates properly, the candies may soften as soon as you touch them. 

Best Tips to Prevent Quick Melting

• Prefer to utilize properly tempered chocolate, which has a higher melting resistance.

• Avoid using very soft fillings that might affect the chocolate’s structure.

2. Chocolate Has a Sugar Bloom on Its Surface 

Your chocolates may develop a white or grayish coating on their surface over time. Due to this sugar bloom, your DIY chocolate hearts will look dull and unappealing.

Best Tips to Tackle Sugar Bloom

• Store heart chocolates in a dry place, away from moisture and direct sunlight.
• Look to avoid refrigeration, as condensation can make the situation worse.

Conclusion

And just like that, you’ve unlocked the secret to making irresistible heart shaped chocolates. No matter if you have kids or lovers to impress, these DIY treats will surely do their magic. Just don’t forget to add lots of love as a secret ingredient to these chocolates to make the special occasions even more memorable. 

While learning how to make chocolate hearts, never forget to pick the right equipment. As the first thing on the checklist, make sure to buy PJ Bold silicone chocolate molds. Thanks to these molds, users get to make the perfect treats for their loved ones.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my melted chocolate turning grainy or lumpy?

This common mishap happens due to overheating or contact with water. To avoid this issue, melt chocolate gently using a double boiler and keep all tools dry.

How do I add fillings like caramel or nuts to chocolate hearts?

Start by pouring a thin layer of melted chocolate into the mold. Afterward, seal the caramel and nuts with another layer of chocolate before letting them set.

Can I make heart chocolates without a mold?

Yes, you can directly make DIY chocolate hearts using this much messier way. Just pour melted chocolate onto parchment paper and use a heart-shaped cookie cutter for shaping.

Why do my chocolate hearts have a dull or cloudy appearance?

When your chocolates are giving a cloudy look, it’s probably due to improper tempering. So, make sure to temper the chocolate properly and store your finished treats in a dry place.

How long does it take for chocolate hearts to set?

When talking about room temperature, it takes about less than three hours. While using the fridge, your chocolates will only need around half an hour to be ready.