Alices Fondant Filling For Chocolates Food

FONDANT FILLED CHOCOLATES

Steps:

• Place about half of your chocolate into a small pan over a very low heat (or bain marie if you prefer) and heat the chocolate until it reaches a temperature of 48ºC - Don't worry if not all of the chocolate has melted, it will continue to melt after it's removed from the heat.
• Decant the melted chocolate into a bowl and add a piece of the unmelted chocolate you set aside before. Stir the chocolate in until it has melted.
• Keep adding pieces of the unmelted chocolate until the temperature of the chocolate has been reduced to 32ºC. At this point it's ready to use.
• Remove any lumps of chocolate and set aside to use later - I like to put in onto greaseproof paper as then it's easy to peel off and use again (it can be difficult to remove hardened chocolate from a bowl).
• Pour the melted chocolate into the mould (or pipe if you prefer). Fill each of the squares you're using to the top. Once filled, tip the mould upside down over the bowl you stirred the chocolate in and tip out any excess - you're trying to create a hollow shell.
• Once the excess has tipped out have a quick check for any holes in the shells. If there are any holes then add in a little extra chocolate and tip again to remove any excess.
• Once you're happy with the shells, use a sharp knife to scrape any excess chocolate from the top of the mould.
• Put the mould into the fridge for at least half an hour to set.
• Scrape any leftover chocolate from the bowl back into the pan you used to melt the chocolate originally (this can then be used to make the base of the chocolates).
• Place the marshmallows (4 large marshmallows) and water (1 tsp) into a microwave dish and microwave on full power for 30 seconds to melt the marshmallows. After 30 seconds give them a stir, if there are any unmelted lumps microwave for a further 10 seconds.
• Sift in 50g of the icing sugar and mix with a spoon to combine. You'll find that you cannot combine all of the sugar by mixing. Once you've reached this stage then knead the fondant by hand to combine the remaining sugar (don't try and knead by hand before mixing, as it will be too sticky to handle).
• Spread the remaining icing sugar (25g) onto your work surface (the fondant will become sticky as you work with it. If it does, roll it in the icing sugar).
• Add about 5 drops of flavour to the fondant and knead to ensure it is evenly spread.
• Add a small amount of food colouring (if using) and knead until evenly spread.
• Fill the shells
• Remove your mould from the fridge.
• Gently push a small ball of fondant into each shell. It's very important that you check that none of the fondant is protruding above the top of the mould, as if it does it'll stick out of the bottom of the chocolate!
• Put to one side while you temper the chocolate for the base.
• Add about half of any unused chocolate you have in the packet to the chocolate you put back into the pan earlier and repeat steps 1-4 (above) to temper the chocolate. You can use the same bowl you used earlier even if it has some hardened chocolate in the bottom as it will melt in and help the tempering process.
• Once the chocolate has tempered, spoon or pipe it carefully over the top of the fondant - you want the chocolate to come above the top edge of the mould.
• Once all of the chocolates are covered, use a sharp knife to scrape off any excess chocolate.
• Put the chocolates into the fridge for at least half an hour to set.
• Once the chocolate has completely set, turn the mould over on a work surface. If you're using the silicon mould then carefully push each chocolate out of the mould. If any are being stubborn then pop the mould back into the fridge for a while longer to give them a bit more time to set.

FONDANT

Steps:

• Sprinkle the gelatin over cold water in a small bowl; Let it rest for two minutes to soften.
• Place the bowl in a microwave for 30 seconds on High, until the gelatin dissolves (*I suggest doing this in 10 second increments as the first time I did this it boiled over in the microwave).
• Add the flavoring.
• Add the corn syrup and the glycerin and stir until the mixture is smooth and clear (if the mixture is not turning smooth and clear, microwave it for an additional 15 to 20 seconds on high and stir again)
• Sift 1 1/2 pounds of the sugar into a large bowl (*I did not sift and it was not lumpy!).
• Make a hole in the sugar and pour the liquid mixture to it.
• Stir with a wooden spoon until the mixture becomes sticky.
• Sift some of the remaining 1/2 pound of sugar onto a smooth work surface and add as much of the remaining sugar as the mixture will take.
• Knead the fondant, adding a little more sugar if necessary, to form a smooth, pliable mass.
• Rub the vegetable shortening on your thumbs and knead it into the fondant.
• Wrap the fondant in plastic wrap and place it in a tightly sealed container to prevent it from drying out.
• If the icing dries out and harden it can often be revived by popping it into a microwave oven for a few seconds and then kneading it back to life.

FONDANT-FILLED CANDIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine milk and corn syrup. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar (mixture will be stiff). Divide into two portions. , For peppermint patties, add the peppermint oil to one portion. Shape 1/2 teaspoonfuls into balls and flatten. In a microwave, melt 1 pound of candy coating, stir until smooth. With a slotted spoon, dip peppermint disks in coating; allow excess to drip off. Place on waxed paper to harden. Refrigerate in an airtight container., For chocolate-covered cherries, drain cherries, reserving 3 tablespoons of juice; set cherries aside. Combine juice with remaining fondant. Add additional confectioners' sugar if necessary to form a stiff mixture. , Roll into 1-in. balls; flatten to 2-in. circles. Wrap each circle around a cherry and carefully shape into a ball. Place on waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Cover loosely. Melt remaining candy coating; dip cherries in coating; allow excess to drip off. Place on waxed paper to harden. Refrigerate in an airtight container for 1-2 weeks for candy to ripen and center to soften.

UNCOOKED FONDANT

Steps:

• Blend butter, syrup, vanilla, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
• Add confectioners sugar all at once.
• Mix together, first with a spoon, then with hands, kneading well.
• Turn out onto a board and continue kneading until mixture is well blended and smooth.
• Store wrapped in a tight container in a cool place.
• Makes about 25 centers.

ALICE'S FONDANT FILLING FOR CHOCOLATES

Steps:

• Combine ingredients in heavy saucepan. Boil until it reaches a soft ball stage. Pour into buttered dish to cool.
• After mixture is cooled, pour on clean surface and beat with wooden paddles until light and airy. Just as mixture "turns" mix in flavoring until thoroughly blended inches.
• Refrigerate to cool completely. Form into balls. Dip in desired chocolate.
• Variations:.
• Peppermint (peppermint extract to taste).
• Maple Walnut (maple flavoring to taste and finely chopped walnuts).
• Orange (orange extract to taste--a few drops to 1/2 teaspoon).
• Cherry (Maraschino cherries drained and quartered--pat dry).
• Cherry-almond (as above but add almond extract to taste).
• Almond (almond extract with a sliced almond on top of finished chocolate).
• Coconut (fine coconut plus vanilla).
• Rum (rum extract plus 1-2 teaspoons butter).