Melting chocolate can be intimidating. It seems like an art that only the most skilled chefs can master. Often, you end up with unevenly melted chocolate or, even worse, burnt chocolate.
And to be honest, not everyone has the time to attend culinary school or spend hours on YouTube learning how to do it right.
If you fall into that category, don’t worry—you aren’t alone.
Luckily for you, there is a foolproof way to melt Hershey’s chocolate in a microwave.
Here’s how to melt Hersheys chocolate in microwave.
Pour your diced Hershey’s chocolate or chocolate chips into a microwave-safe bowl. Place it uncovered in your microwave and set it on 50% power for 30 seconds. After the 30 seconds, remove your bowl from the microwave, stir, then return it and continue nuking in 30-second increments. Stir after each increment until all of the chocolate has melted.
In today’s post, we’ll delve deeper into each of these steps. We’ll also cover some tips and tricks for quickly melting Hershey’s chocolate. Lastly, we’ll address some common questions when melting chocolate in a microwave.
Let’s get started.
How Long Does It Take To Melt A Hershey Kiss In The Microwave?
It will take a few minutes for your Hershey Kiss chocolate to melt in a microwave. However, the exact time will depend on your microwave wattage and how much chocolate you are melting.
The higher your wattage, or if you attempt to melt a large amount of Kiss chocolate at once, expect it to take longer than usual.
Hershey Kisses have a low melting point of about 108 degrees Fahrenheit, making them prone to burning. As a result, it’s recommended that you microwave them in 30-second increments to avoid overheating and ruining your chocolate.
Tips for Melting a Hershey’s Chocolate in Microwave
Due to the high cocoa butter content, melting Hershey’s chocolate in the microwave can be quite tricky. However, this does not mean it is impossible; you just need to know how to do it right.
Here are some tips that will have your chocolate melted and ready to use in no time.
- Microwaves will penetrate small surfaces more quickly than large ones. So, break it into smaller pieces for your chocolate to melt faster and more evenly. It will also expose more of its surface area to microwave energy, expediting the melting process.
- Make sure the Hershey’s chocolate is bone dry, as well as the bowl you’ll be melting it in. Water can cause your chocolate to seize, generating hard-to-melt clumps. So make sure none of these surfaces has any moisture on them.
- Do not cover your microwave-safe bowl at any time during melting. Covering it will trap steam, resulting in condensation and water droplets dripping into your chocolate. This will cause your chocolate to seize and clump and melt unevenly.
- The bowl you choose for melting your chocolate should be microwave-safe and heatproof. Glass bowls are ideal as they can withstand high temperatures without melting or cracking. They are also transparent, allowing you to monitor progress easily.
Also, make sure it is large enough to hold all of your chocolate pieces. If not, melt them in multiple batches instead of trying to fit too much into one bowl at once.
- As previously stated, Hershey’s chocolate contains a high concentration of cocoa butter, which means it will easily burn if overheated. As a result, melt your chocolate on low power and keep an eye on it. You can then adjust its power level as needed.
How to Store Your Melted Hershey’s Chocolate
If you want your chocolate to last up to two weeks, make it into a sauce first. Simply add a heavy cream and corn syrup mixture to your melted chocolate, then store it in an airtight container and refrigerate.
This is because Hershey’s chocolate can only stay melted for a short period before it hardens again. Although you can keep your chocolate molten by placing it over another bowl of warm water, this only works for a short period.
The best way to ensure that your chocolate stays liquid is to turn it into a sauce. Learn how to melt chocolate wafers in the microwave as well.
How to Melt Hershey’s Chocolate in the Microwave: Step by Step
Here are five steps for melting Hershey’s chocolate using your microwave. It’s quick, easy, and doesn’t require any extra dishes.
Step 1: Remove the Wrapper off The Chocolate Bars and Dice Them
First, remove any wrappers from your chocolate bars. Then, chop each bar into small pieces until you have the desired amount. However, skip this step if you already have chocolate chips or chunks ready to go.
Step 2: Place the Chopped Chocolate into a Microwavable Bowl and Don’t Cover
Choose a heat-resistant bowl large enough to hold all of your chocolate. Do not cover your bowl to prevent condensation from dripping down onto your chocolate and causing it to seize.
Step 3: Set Your Microwave to Medium Power and Nuke for 30 Seconds
Place your bowl of Hershey’s chocolate into your microwave and nuke it on 50% power for about 30 seconds.
Step 4: Stir Your Chocolate and Continue Nuking
After 30 seconds, remove your bowl from the microwave and extensively stir your chocolate with a silicone or rubber spatula. Then, put it back into your microwave and continue nuking in 30-second bursts until you have achieved a smooth consistency.
Step 5: Remove Your Bowl from the Microwave and Enjoy
Once you’ve achieved a smooth consistency, remove your bowl from the microwave and let the residue heat complete the melting process. Then, use your molten Hershey’s chocolate as desired.
Faqs On How to Melt Hersheys Chocolate in Microwave
1. Can you use Hershey’s chocolate to make chocolate-covered strawberries?
Yes, you can use Hershey’s chocolate to make chocolate-covered strawberries. The first step is to melt your chocolate, which you can do in various ways. You can use a double boiler or a microwave. Once your chocolate has melted, let it cool for a few minutes before dipping your strawberries.
2. Can I use Hershey bars instead of chocolate chips?
Yes, you can substitute the chocolate chips with Hershey bars. If you’re going to melt them, chop them first, so they’re easier to melt and incorporate into your recipe.
3. Why do you add oil to melted chocolate?
If your chocolate is too thick, it won’t pour or spread easily. Adding oil will thin out your melted chocolate and make it easier to work with. Alternatively, you can add shortening to achieve a similar effect. However, only use a small amount of oil or shortening; too much will cause your chocolate to become greasy.
4. Why is my chocolate not melting?
If your chocolate isn’t melting, it’s either overheated or seized. The leading cause of seizing is contact with water, which causes your chocolate particles to stick together and form one solid mass. To fix, add a small amount of fat or shortening and stir until smooth again.
Other causes include heating at too high a temperature, heating for too long, or not stirring enough while heating.
5. Can you use Hershey’s chocolate for chocolate chip cookies?
Yes, you can easily use Hershey’s chocolate for chocolate chip cookies. This type of chocolate is perfect for melting and baking into your favourite cookie recipe. To melt it down, simply use a microwave or double boiler.
The microwave is fast and easy, while using a double boiler will give you more control over the process.
6. Can I use a Hershey chocolate bar for baking?
A Hershey’s chocolate bar is one of many types of chocolate that you can use for baking.
It melts easily and gives your baked goods a rich, sweet flavour. However, it would help if you exercise caution when melting it because excessive heat may cause it to burn.
7. Can you melt Hershey’s chocolate candy bar to use in a candy mold?
You can melt Hershey’s chocolate candy bar to use in a candy mold. The easiest way is to microwave it. If you don’t have access to one, use a double boiler or heat it over low heat on your stovetop.
8. Can you reheat Hershey’s chocolate?
Yes, you can reheat a hardened Hershey’s chocolate in a microwave, double boiler or stovetop. The trick is to heat at low to medium power to avoid overheating. However, reheating will result in some flavour and texture loss.
Final Thoughts
Melting your Hershey’s Chocolate doesn’t have to be difficult at all. With the advent of appliances such as microwaves, melting has become an even easier task. However, you must exercise extreme caution as you can burn your chocolate.
Hershey’s chocolate has high cocoa butter and sugar content, making it extremely heat sensitive. Luckily, the solution is to nuke it at low power in 30-second increments. This way, you’ll have complete control over the process and can halt it whenever necessary.
Importantly, never allow your chocolate to come into contact with water or moisture, as this may cause it to seize and become unusable. Nevertheless, microwaving is an excellent method for melting your Hershey’s chocolate if done correctly.
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