Try This Foolproof Method For Melting Chocolate

Using the stove to melt chocolate is as easy as using the microwave, and we promise it'll give you much smoother results. Why? Because low, gentle heat is the key to getting your bar to transform into a glossy, creamy consistency. Excessive heat can easily burn chocolate or make it grainy. We also recommend using your favorite chocolate bar over chips, because chocolate chips are meant to hold their shape in the face of heat.

This video demonstrates the simplest four-step method for melting chocolate the right way. We recommend watching it before you embark on your next baking project, because perfectly melted chocolate can take a simple dessert (barks! brownies! strawberries! an empty spoon!) from delicious to divine.

What You Need

• Bar of chocolate
• Cutting board
• Serrated knife
• Large saucepan
• Heat-proof bowl (large enough to cradle in top of saucepan)
• Rubber spatula

Follow These Steps

1. Chop the chocolate. Roughly chop your bar of chocolate into small pieces, about the size of sugar cubes (a serrated knife works well for this).
2. Place chocolate in a heat-proof bowl. Set the chocolate pieces in the bottom of your metal or glass bowl, making sure it's heat-proof.
3. Place the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water. Bring 1-inch of water to a simmer in your saucepan. Set the heatproof bowl in the mouth of the pot, making sure the water doesn't touch the bottom of the bowl.
4. Stir the chocolate. Stir chocolate occasionally as it softens. When you have just a few small unmelted chunks, remove the bowl from heat (residual heat will melt the rest).