Hi,

This is my first post on this board and was wondering if someone can help me.

I made several chocolate transfers and the finish is kind of ashy. It is more noticeable on the Eeyore character that I made. I am not sure if I used a waxy paper and maybe the wax melted thus making the figures ashy. But looking at the pictures from my "whimsical bakehouse" book, the figures sometime look glossy or sparkly. I tried using pearl dust but it just muted the colors. Any suggestions on making them "pop" with a shinier finish or even sparkle effect?

Thanks!
chami

I have done this before but i am not positive about the ashyness you talking about.

If you used wax paper it could leave a waxy look. You could try it with clear acetate sheets or even just parchment paper.

It also could be your chocolate. Chocolate can develop a "bloom" that looks ashy. It means that you didn't melt it to the proper temperature called "tempering".
you could use coating chocolate with better results or try the proper tempering procedures with a really good chocolate.

also store your chocolate at 50 degrees for longer shelf life, I use a wine refrigerator for my chocolates. (bought it at home depot) The regular refrigerator is too cold and my house gets too warm.

hope this helps

Thanks for your reply.

I actually used Wilton chocolate wafers and tainted them with candy color. Unfortunately, I used something called dry wax paper to set the transfers. some of the transfers have a bit of a sheen but many others came out with that "ashy" "waxy" look. I guess in the future I will definitely do them on parchment paper.

Is there a particular brand of chocolate wafers that are recommended for this process?

I do chocolate transfers with Callebaut chocolate but I temper it first. If you don't temper chocolate, it hardens with a dull, sometimes ashy look. If you temper it, it will be shiny and snap when you break it.

Wilton is ok, Merckens is ok too. I think what may have contributed to what happened is when you tinted them with color. If your candy color is old or not specific for candy, it should be oil based it will effect your chocolate. You could try coating chocolate that is pre colored or pick up some fresh candy colors and see if that helps.

If you use the Callebaut chocolate you do need to temper it like mombabytiger said. I will say that tempered chocolate tastes sooo much better then coating chocolate. It is time consuming but worth the effort.