Faberge Eggs
- Modeling chocolate (see previous recipe)
- Bittersweet chocolate, tempered, 4 ounces, 112 grams
- White chocolate, tempered, 16 ounces, 450 grams
- Powdered food color
- I always find the molds I use in stores that sell a lot of plastic things.
- You can mold chocolate in almost anything but not all molds are filled the same way.
- For the techniques demonstrated in this recipe, I used plastic eggs of various sizes.
- You can buy the ones filled with Easter candy and, if necessary, cut them in half.
- Keep in mind that the temperature in your kitchen will affect the speed at which the chocolate sets.
- Also, if you want to use a silk screen, you'll need to have it made at a local art store before you begin the process.
- You can use store-bought candies to decorate your eggs.
- The children will have fun with that!
- To make the medallion, I started with a little of the same chocolate plastic that we used to make the flowers in the previous recipe.
- Use a rolling pin to roll out one color of chocolate plastic using cornstarch to "flour" the work surface.
- The rolled chocolate should be about 1/8-inch thick.
- When using a silk screen, it will be easier if you cut the medallion after you have transferred the design to it.
- Melt the dark chocolate over a double boiler.
- Hold the silk screen over the rolled out chocolate.
- Use a plastic scraper with a straight edge.
- Apply about a teaspoon of chocolate to the scraper and gently pull the chocolate across the design.
- Carefully lift off the silkscreen.
- It will dry almost immediately.
- Use a paring knife Before you begin the next step, you have to decide if you would like to color the chocolate for the egg.
- If you do, be sure to use powdered food coloring or the chocolate will seize.
- Add the color slowly and sparingly until you have the desired color.
- Don't forget to save some melted chocolate uncolored so you can use it to finish the decoration.
- Place the medallion design side down inside one of the egg halves.
- Use a very clean and dry pastry brush to coat the inside of a mold with chocolate.
- The pastry brush must be clean and dry.
- Dip the brush in the chocolate so it permeates the bristles and brings them to the temperature of the chocolate.
- This tempers the brush so the chocolate will not set on the bristles while you are coating the mold.
- Apply a total of 3 layers of chocolate, allowing each to set almost completely before applying the next layer.
- These layers will make the molded chocolate thick enough to handle without breaking easily.
- When each layer is almost set, use a paring knife to scrape the edge of the mold clean.
- This will make it easier to unmold the egg.
- Placing the coated mold in the refrigerator will help the chocolate to harden.
- If the chocolate is properly tempered, you should be able to lift it from the egg mold.
- Use some melted chocolate to "glue" the 2 halves together.
- If you place the pieces in the refrigerator first, the egg will set faster, as the cold chocolate will cause the chocolate "glue" to harden and set quickly.
- Make a cornet and fill it with tempered white chocolate.
- Use it to draw decorations on the outside of the egg.
- I added decorating cake gems that resembled pearls to finish my Faberge egg.
- Tip: It is easier to work with more chocolate than you need.
- A larger amount will hold its temper longer.
- You can allow any leftover chocolate to harden.
- Wrap it well and store at room temperature.
- You can melt it again for your next project.
- Work in glass bowls.
- Then, if needed, you can use the microwave to melt the chocolate.
- Variation: When I have a really large mold, I like to create the illusion of texture to lighten the overall effect.
- Marbleizing chocolate is a simple way to do this.
- Start by drizzling both white and dark chocolate in the bottom of the mold.
- Dip your clean, dry fingers in the bowl of tempered dark chocolate and use them to spread the chocolate over the drizzles to create a marbled effect.
- Dipping your fingers in chocolate coats them and adds a thin layer of chocolate to the mold, which makes it easier to create the marble pattern.
- When the mold is marbleized, use a ladle to add just enough dark chocolate to coat the sides completely.
- Empty any excess into the bowl of chocolate and invert the mold over the wire rack to drain further.
- Once the chocolate starts to harden, about 5 minutes, scrape the edge of the mold clean with a paring knife.
- When the chocolate is completely set, you should be able to gently slide the shell out of the mold by pushing on one side.
- The mold can be placed in the refrigerator to help the chocolate to harden.
- If you are using a clear plastic mold, you will be able to see the chocolate is ready to be unmolded when it automatically pulls away from the sides of the mold.
- Sources: Team Torres LLC www.mrchocolate.com PO Box 303 New York, NY 10101-0303 212/489-4847 212/489-0142 (fax) Plastic scraper, silkscreen
- Beryl's Cake Decorating & Pastry Supplies www.beryls.com PO Box 1584 North Springfield, VA 22151 800/488-2749 703/750-3779 (fax) Cocoa butter; white and dark chocolate; decorative cake gems, edible paints; various egg molds
- Sur La Table Catalog Division www.surlatable.com 800/243-0852 Sinsation Chocolate Tempering Machine
modeling chocolate, bittersweet chocolate, white chocolate, color
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/faberge-eggs-recipe.html (may not work)