Chocolate wafers are great substitute piece to replace chocolate chips, so how do you melt the chocolate wafers in the microwave? All chocolate is not heated the same way, the ultimate guide to melt chocolate in the microwave will help you make everything from gouache to brownies in no time at all.
If you are making a chocolate dipping sauce, the great news is that chocolate wafers actually melt better compared to chips. It completely looses its shape when heated because the pieces are flat with the same thickness.
Best method to melt chocolate wafers is by using microwave. It is fast and easy without making a huge mess resulting in more bowls to clean up afterwards.
Place the amount of chocolate wafers you need in a microwave-safe bowl, set on medium power and nuke for 15 second increments. Give a stir and return to the microwave to watch the edges start melting, continue microwaving for 10 to 15 second intervals until it reaches a silky smooth texture.
If the amount of is small enough, then it may not require additional microwaving to melt the chocolate wafers. So, what are chocolate wafers made out of?
What are chocolate baking wafers?
There are so many choices when it comes to melting chocolate. And not all types of chocolate function in the same way, especially when it comes to wafers, chips, and bars.
Chocolate baking wafers have a higher percentage of cocoa butter, which means they melt down into a chocolatey sauce when exposed to heat.
The wafers make perfect melting chocolate unlike chocolate chips. They do not hold the share and melt smoothly and set up firmly when used properly.
Can I use melting wafers instead of chocolate chips?
If you are making classic chocolate chip cookies with chips instead of wafers, you are missing out!
You can use melting wafers instead of chocolate chips in almost any recipe. When baked, wafers actually melt but chips are engineered to hold their shape. So, thin sheets of chocolate layer throughout the dough of a baked good.
Both chocolate chips and wafers melt in the microwave with the proper treatment. For baked recipes, choose wisely based on your preference and the recipe method.
How do you melt chocolate wafers in the microwave?
Compared to chocolate chip, melting chocolate wafers is super easy. In order to successfully melt wafers, keep these few tips in mind:
- Use medium microwave power level.
- Place wafers in a heat proof bowl.
- Nuke in short intervals to prevent burning and overcooking.
- Stir when you take out of the microwave.
- Avoid overheating the melting chocolate. Having a few clumps is a good sign to stop microwaving and continue stirring to fully melt.
Using microwave to melt chocolate wafers is convenient and fast method. Place the wafers in a microwave-safe dish. Set the microwave to 50% power and zap for 15 second increments. Remove the dish and stir thoroughly, if necessary keep microwaving for 10 to 15 second intervals to melt completely.
Due to microwave wattage, amount of wafers and cook time, you may overcook the chocolate. If this happen to you, avoid adding more butter or water, instead add a teaspoon of vegetable oil, shortening or butter.
Things to know before melting chocolate wafers in the microwave
From semi-sweet to white chocolate, there are many types of chocolate wafers to choose between.
Regardless of the temperature and melting point, use these tips to prepare for the best result before melting chocolate wafers in the microwave:
- White chocolate wafers do contain more sugar and milk than dark chocolate wafers, which means they do melt faster. So be cautious when using the microwave to melt white chocolate wafers.
- Microwave-safe glass bowl heats up faster than plastic dishes. So, if you plan to use a plastic bowl to melt chocolate, you may need a bit of extra time.
- Use heat-proof rubber spatula to stir the chocolate wafers between each interval.
- Adjust the microwave between low and medium heat setting. White, milk, and dark chocolate wafers each have a slightly different melting point.
- After stirring, manually rotate the bowl after each 15 second intervals.
The chocolate wafers are great form to take cookies or cake to the next level. Simply place the wafers in a microwave-safe bowl, set to medium power and zap for 15 seconds or so. Stir and repeat to completely melt the chocolate wafers into the smooth texture you are looking for.