You're craving some milk chocolate, but all you have is a bag of semisweet baking chocolate chips in the cupboard. You might wonder how you can turn that semisweet baking chocolate into milk chocolate ingredients. The good news is that, with a little creativity, it can be done, and quite simply.
While your preference might be milk chocolate, semisweet chocolate is a little bit healthier. According to the USDA, 1 tablespoon of each kind provides 70 calories, although semisweet chocolate chips contain 7 grams of sugar whereas milk chocolate chips have 10 grams.
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Step 1: Melt Semisweet Chocolate
Melt an 8-ounce bag of semisweet chocolate chips in the top of an uncovered double boiler on low heat. Chocolate need to melt slowly — trying to speed up the process can burn or ruin the ingredients in your chocolate making recipes.
A double boiler is a special pan that holds water in the bottom and has a second pan that sits on top. The water in the bottom pan should never touch the bottom of the top pan. The chocolate will heat up from the steam created in the bottom pan.
Make sure the top has no water residue in it before placing the chocolate chips — this could ruin the consistency of your chocolate.
Step 2: Stir With a Rubber Spatula
Begin stirring when the edges of the chocolate start to liquefy. Use a clean, odor-free rubber spatula and stir frequently so the chocolate does not burn. Do not use a wooden spoon, as it retains moisture.
Step 3: Add Milk and Butter
Remove the melted chocolate from the stove and add 2 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk and 2 tablespoons of butter. Keep stirring as you add the contents so the chocolate is melted and smooth.
If the chocolate is too thick, splash with whole milk. If the chocolate is not sweet enough, splash with condensed milk.
Step 4: Pour and Cool
Pour mixture into candy molds or other container of your choice and let cool. Do not refrigerate. The chocolate can keep in a cool, dry place for several months.
Follow These Cooking Tips
If you do not have a double boiler, melt the chocolate in the oven at a low temperature — according to What's Cooking America, your oven should be set to a maximum of 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
Or, use your microwave to melt the chocolate, and set it to 50 percent power, as advised by Harvard School of Public Health. Check every 10 seconds. Stir gently with spatula each time you check it.
Another way to melt the chocolate chips is to place them in a tightly sealed plastic bag. Place the bag in a bowlful of hot water until the chocolate is melted.
Do not add water or cold liquids to the chocolate, as doing so can also cause the chocolate to seize, as explained by Princeton University. Either add liquids to the chocolate before melting, or heat them before adding them. Heat your chocolate uncovered — condensation can develop on a lid, causing water to fall into your chocolate.
Things You'll Need
Double boiler
Rubber spatula
1 8-ounce bag semisweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
2 tablespoons butter
Whole milk