You’ll need the best melting chocolate possible to make fabulous desserts, whether the main ingredient or just for the garnishing. However, finding one suitable for your preferences and diets can be more challenging than you thought.
Among thousands of chocolate brands on the market, which one should you buy? Of course, you don’t want to end up with some lumpy chocolate full of artificial additives.
Well, just relax! Since I’ve prepared for you a list with all top-rated melting chocolates as well as their pros and cons. After reading this, you can make your own decision with ease.
How To Melt Your Chocolate Perfectly?
No one wants burned melting chocolate. But to make a perfect batch for dipping, coating, or drizzling, there are a few rules you need to follow closely, so your chocolate won’t go bad. Keep reading to find out what these rules are.
Choose The Most Suitable Chocolate For Melting
Don’t think all melting chocolate is the same. Sometimes, you melt your chocolate to coat your fruits. At other times, you may need melted chocolate for garnishing. Thus, make sure you pick the appropriate chocolate for each intention.
For example, when you make some chocolate coatings, you’ll want them to stay glossy and shiny after hardening, which means higher cocoa butter content.
Keep Your Chocolate In Small Sizes
While people often think of chocolate chips when talking about melting chocolate for their ideal sizes, you can use chocolate bars as well. However, remember to chop them down evenly, so they can melt better.
Don’t Overcook Your Chocolate
The first rule in melting chocolate: Overcooking your chocolate will burn it. Thus, only heat it until most of the chocolate melts. Also, make sure you stir it so that the heat will distribute evenly.
Re-melting Is Better Than Overheating
Don’t leave your chocolate on the stovetop for too long. When it has mostly melted, remove it from the heat immediately since overheating can destroy the texture and flavor of your chocolate. You can always rewarm it later if necessary.
Avoid Adding Too Much Moisture
When melting chocolate, you may want to thin it out. That’s reasonable, but be careful with what you use as liquid can cause your chocolate to seize. Thus, you should opt for oil or fat.
The best option is cocoa butter since it can enhance your chocolate’s flavor. Other butter or oil can still work, but you’d better choose one with a neutral taste so that it won’t affect your chocolate.
Some people may tell you to use milk, but I suggest not to since milk is both a fat and a liquid. It requires advanced skills and meticulousness not to ruin the chocolate.
Also, this rule applies to your cooking tools as well. Make sure you wipe them all clean and dry before using them, as the moisture in them can make your chocolate clumpy. And avoid wooden tools and use plastic ones instead since moisture can retain in the wood.
This is the secret to beautifully melting chocolate! Watch this video:
What Are The Best Melting Chocolate To Buy In 2021?
Choosing the best melting chocolate among tons of brands on the market is not easy, especially since every single one of them claims it’s the best.
Considering all the vital aspects, Callebaut chocolate stands out the most as its flavor, chocolate quality, and texture are all exceptional. Aside from it, you can opt for ChocoMaker chocolate since it’s more budget-friendly.
- Best Overall: Callebaut Belgian Dark Melting Chocolate
“Dark chocolate from whole roasted beans; high cacao butter ratio; rich, creamy taste with a hint of fruit; easily melting” - Best Budget: ChocoMaker Milk Melting Chocolate
“Milk chocolate, high oil content, gluten-free, suitable to eat with other foods, easily melting, budget-friendly” - Best for Coating: HERSHEY’S Milk Melting Chocolate
“Milk chocolate from organic ingredients; gluten-free; no preservatives, artificial colors, and flavors; smooth melting texture” - Best for Dipping: Wilton Chocolate Pro Wafers Melting Chocolate
“Chocolate wafers, easily melting, smooth taste, affordable price” - Best for Making Candies: Merckens Milk Wafers Melting Chocolate
“Milk chocolate with rich, creamy taste; not requiring further tempering; melting quickly” - Best for Drizzling: Nestle Toll House Milk Melting Chocolate
“Milk chocolate; gluten-free; no artificial color or preservatives; evenly melting” - Best White Chocolate: Ghirardelli White Melting Chocolate
“White chocolate with real vanilla, rich taste, creamy when melting” - Best Healthy and Keto-Friendly Chocolate: Lily’s Dark Melting Chocolate
“Dark chocolate with stevia as sweetener, high in antioxidants, low in calories, gluten-free, Keto-friendly and diabetic-friendly product” - Best With Convenient Package: Dolci Frutta Hard Melting Chocolate
“Microwave-safe container; not containing nuts, eggs, and wheat; gluten-free”
Best Melting Chocolate Comparison Chart
You want a brief sum-up about my top 10 best melting chocolate before getting into details, right? Well, here is a table with all their vital features for you to compare themselves to each other.
Top 10 Best Melting Chocolate Reviews 2021
This best melting chocolate review will provide all the signature characteristics, strong points, and drawbacks in each chocolate. With this, you can make perfectly melting chocolate to your heart’s content.
Callebaut Belgian Dark Melting Chocolate
(Best Overall)
Containing more than 50% cacao, this Callebaut product definitely belongs to the dark chocolate group. However, it’s not as bitter as you imagined about dark chocolate, but relatively smooth with a hint of fruit.
Callebaut makes this chocolate from whole roasted beans, providing an organic flavor. Also, compared to other brands, it has a higher cocoa butter ratio, leading to a creamier texture when melting.
Key Features
- Dark chocolate
- Smooth flavor with fruit hint
- Made from whole roasted beans
- Creamy texture when melting
Pros
- Full of organic cocoa flavor
- Not so bitter for dark chocolate
- Smooth, creamy taste and consistency
Cons
- A bit expensive since it’s an imported product
Product Specifications
| Brand | Callebaut |
| Weight | 5,5 lbs |
| Dimension | 10 x 5 x 10 inches |
| Chocolate type | Dark chocolate |
| Calories per serving | 550 |
| Safety Information | Containing milk and soy; Celery-free |
Let’s see how to temper Callebaut dark chocolate with your microwave!
ChocoMaker Milk Melting Chocolate
(Best Budget)
If you want a more economical choice for your melting chocolate, this product from ChocoMaker will do just fine.
This chocolate will melt nicely and quickly without you adding any more oil as it already contains oil. Thanks to this, it also stays liquid for a long time, so you can take your time to enjoy your fondue.
Aside from fondue, you can use this product for other purposes, such as candy making or decorating. Also, ChocoMaker chocolate doesn’t contain gluten, so you still eat this product even if you can’t tolerate it.
Key Features
- Milk chocolate
- High oil content
- Reasonable price
Pros
- Melting easily
- Can stay liquid for a long time
- Flavor suitable for different foods
- 100% gluten-free
- Economical cost
Cons
- Oil ratio may affect its flavor
Product Specifications
| Brand | ChocoMaker |
| Weight | 2 lbs |
| Dimension | 9.2 x 5.4 x 1.9 inches |
| Chocolate type | Milk chocolate |
| Calories per serving | 160 |
| Safety Information | Containing milk, soy, and nuts; Gluten-free |
HERSHEY’S Milk Melting Chocolate
(Best for Coating)
Many people know about HERSHEY’S chocolate bars. But do you know about their melting chocolate? If not, you should try it now as this one won’t let you down about its taste.
When melting, this chocolate goes perfectly with almost anything, making it the best choice if you want to make some chocolate coating.
Also, this one is 100% gluten-free with no preservatives or artificial colors and flavors. So, you can eat it freely without worrying about your well-being.
Key Features
- Melting chocolate with milk
- Kosher certified
- No preservatives, artificial colors, and flavors
Pros
- Smooth texture when melting
- 100% natural ingredients
- No gluten
- Matching well with other ingredients
Cons
- It tastes slightly different from regular HERSHEY’S chocolate candies
Product Specifications
| Brand | HERSHEY’S |
| Weight | 11.5 oz |
| Dimension | 11.6 x 8.2 x 6.6 inches |
| Chocolate type | Milk chocolate |
| Calories per serving | 70 |
| Safety Information | Containing milk and soy; Gluten-free |
Wilton Chocolate Pro Wafers Melting Chocolate
(Best for Dipping)
You can’t find any chocolate suitable for dipping like this one from Wilton. As the company explicitly produces this product for fondue, it melts beautifully without added oil or crystals. The result is a silky chocolate liquid full of flavor.
Also, don’t think it’ll take a long time for your fondue to appear. These chocolate wafers are super thin, so they’ll melt quickly in just several seconds. And for such high-quality chocolate, this product doesn’t cost too much.
Key Features
- Chocolate wafers
- Suitable for dipping fondue
- Affordable price
Pros
- Smooth texture when melting
- Flavorful chocolate
- Melt quickly
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- It might not be suitable for drizzling
Product Specifications
| Brand | Wilton |
| Weight | 2 lbs/32 oz |
| Dimension | 2.7 x 6.2 x 11.1 inches |
| Chocolate type | Chocolate wafers |
| Calories per serving | 210 |
| Safety Information | Containing wheat, soy, peanuts, and tree nuts |
Merckens Milk Wafers Melting Chocolate
(Best for Making Candies)
This Merckens chocolate represents lower-grade brands. However, that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth your trying. Made with lots of cocoa butter, this product still brings you a rich, smooth flavor that you’d want for your melting chocolate.
Additionally, Merckens chocolate is an ideal choice for making candies since you don’t need to temper it for a perfect texture. Not to mention, this one melts quickly, so you don’t have to wait too long.
Key Features
- Milk chocolate
- Rich taste
- Not requiring temper
- Suitable for melting into molds
Pros
- Quickly melt
- Perfect texture without any further tempering
- Sweet, creamy flavor
Cons
- It may feel a bit lacking when compared with premium chocolate brands
Product Specifications
| Brand | Merckens |
| Weight | 5 lbs |
| Dimension | 11.7 x 8 x 4.4 inches |
| Chocolate type | Milk chocolate wafers |
| Calories per serving | 160 |
| Safety Information | Containing milk, soy, nuts, and peanuts |
Nestle Toll House Milk Melting Chocolate
(Best for Drizzling)
If you’re looking for some chocolate to make a drizzle, Nestle Toll House chocolate should be your first choice. It melts quickly, even at low temperatures. And compared to other brands, this one melts more evenly and stays liquid for a longer time.
Additionally, this product doesn’t include any artificial color or preservatives, so it means you’ll get a full flavor of chocolate with it. Also, since it’s gluten-free, people with low gluten tolerance can enjoy it at ease.
Key Features:
- Milk chocolate
- Suitable for drizzling
- Gluten-free
- No artificial color or preservatives
Pros
- Melt easily and evenly
- Stay melting for a long time
- Suitable for people with low gluten tolerance
- Full of natural chocolate flavor
Cons
- This chocolate might melt in transit
Product Specifications
| Brand | Nestle Toll House |
| Weight | 3 lbs |
| Dimension | 11.7 x 7.8 x 2.3 inches |
| Chocolate type | Milk chocolate |
| Calories per serving | 70 |
| Safety Information | Containing milk and soy |
Ghirardelli White Melting Chocolate
(Best White Chocolate)
Though many people argue desserts using white chocolate don’t belong to the real chocolate treats category, if you are a fan of it, you can’t skip this Ghirardelli white chocolate for your melting.
Ghirardelli is one of the most well-known chocolate brands in America. So there’s no doubt about their quality. This white chocolate uses natural vanilla instead of vanilla flavorings, so it can’t be any more flavorful.
Also, as for the melting aspect, this product melts quickly with a smooth, creamy consistency that you’ll love right on the first try.
Or if you aren’t really fond of white chocolate, Ghirardelli also prepares two other versions for you: Ghirardelli milk chocolate baking chips and Ghirardelli semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Key Features:
- White chocolate
- Using real vanilla
- Smooth, creamy melting result
Pros
- Using natural ingredients
- Not containing artificial vanilla
- Quickly melting with a smooth texture
- Rich flavor
Cons
- White chocolate may taste a bit different from regular chocolate
Product Specifications
| Brand | Ghirardelli |
| Weight | 11 oz |
| Dimension | 12.2 x 9.9 x 3.3 inches |
| Chocolate type | White chocolate |
| Calories per serving | 80 |
| Safety Information | Containing milk and soy |
Ghirardelli Dark Wafers Melting Chocolate
Here is another chocolate product from Ghirardelli. But this time, it’s dark chocolate. And just like its relative, this one is high-quality. You’ll get rich melting chocolate with this brand.
Ghirardelli makes this chocolate with oil, so you don’t need to temper it when melting. Also, this one can stay liquid for a long time, making it suitable for covering other foods like strawberries, cake pops, etc.
Key Features
- Dark chocolate wafers
- Contain oil
- Suitable for dipping and coating
Pros
- Not requiring further tempering
- Rich chocolate favor
- Quickly melt
- Stay melting for a long time
Cons
- Oil in ingredients may affect the taste
Product Specifications
| Brand | Ghirardelli |
| Weight | 10 oz |
| Dimension | 7.7 x 7.2 x 2.2 inches |
| Chocolate type | Dark chocolate |
| Calories per serving | 160 |
| Safety Information | Containing milk and soy |
Lily’s Dark Melting Chocolate
(Best Healthy And Keto-Friendly Chocolate)
This chocolate is one of the healthiest options on this list. For sweetness, Lily’s replaces regular sugar with stevia. Thanks to that, this product remains as sweet as other brands but with a lower calories content.
Moreover, it’s packed with antioxidants, making it even healthier. And it’s also certified gluten-free and non-GMO, so you can use it to make melting chocolate for people on Keto diets or with diabetes.
Key Features
- Dark chocolate
- Sweetened by stevia
- High antioxidant content
Pros
- Sweet with the low calories content
- Healthy option
- Suitable for people on Keto diets, suffering from diabetes, or with low gluten tolerance
Cons
- If you aren’t familiar with stevia, you can find its aftertaste a bit bitter
Product Specifications
| Brand | Lily’s Sweets |
| Weight | 9 oz |
| Dimension | 8.6 x 4.5 x 1.2 inches |
| Chocolate type | Dark chocolate |
| Calories per serving | 50 |
| Safety Information | Containing milk, soy, tree nuts, and peanuts; Gluten-free, Keto-friendly |
If you’re looking for a thorough review of Lily’s dark chocolate chips, here is your answer!
Dolci Frutta Hard Melting Chocolate
(Best With Convenient Package)
Melting chocolate seems easy, but it tends to result in a mess of cooking tools for you to clean up afterward.
But that won’t happen if you choose Dolci Frutta chocolate as it comes in a microwave-safe package. So, you can just place the container in the microwave for several seconds until it melts completely.
Also, since it dries up quickly, you can use it for coating or drizzling your desserts or fruits. And if you are allergic to nuts, eggs, or wheat, this one is for you since it doesn’t contain any of them.
Key Features
- Microwave-proof container
- Suitable for people allergic to nuts, eggs, wheat
- Suitable for gluten-free diets
- Ideal for coating or drizzling
Pros
- Can be melted in the microwave
- Ideal products for kids to help you
- Versatile uses
- Easier cleaning
Cons
- Instruction on the package may not apply to all microwaves
Product Specifications
| Brand | Dolci Frutta |
| Weight | 8 oz, pack of 2 |
| Dimension | 7.1 x 6.9 x 4.7 inches |
| Chocolate type | Hard chocolate |
| Calories per serving | 80 |
| Allergen Information | Nut-free, gluten-free, no eggs and wheat |
Coat your strawberries with this Dolci Frutta melting chocolate! Watch this video:
How Can You Buy The Best Chocolate For Melting?
Even with these recommendations above, there are still a few elements you need to think through carefully, so you can buy the perfect chocolate for melting.
Chocolate Types
At this point, you must know that chocolate has three types: dark, milk, and white chocolate. Based on the type you choose, your melted chocolate will have a different flavor.
White chocolate stands apart the most, as it doesn’t contain any cacao solids like the other two. This type only has cacao butter for the chocolate flavor, thus making it the one holding its form for the longest time.
Dark and milk chocolate melts faster, and dark type melts the quickest since it doesn’t contain milk.
Texture
Chocolate is all about the texture. And by consistency, I mean both when melting and when re-solidifying. Some chocolate looks good in liquid form, but when hardened, they become dry and chalky.
Best chocolate will liquefy nice, and when solidifying, it can remain smooth and glossy. And when you break it, it will snap beautifully.
Melting Temperatures
Do you know that chocolate melted at low temperatures will turn smoother? That’s why most high-quality chocolate has a low melting point, so it will liquefy quickly.
Of course, if you mess up, your chocolate can still become a lumpy mess. But at least, with premium ones, you can melt them with more ease.
The Amount Of Cocoa Butter
To melt quickly, your chocolate should have a high-fat content. However, that alone isn’t enough. High-quality chocolate often uses cocoa butter to increase its fat ratio without lowering its taste. In contrast, more common brands use vegetable oils instead.
So, next time when you choose your melting chocolate, you should look at the amount of cocoa butter on its package.
Ingredient List
Chocolate is the favorite sweet treat of many people. However, this dessert might contain various allergens like milk, soy, nuts, etc.
Thus, you’d better look through the ingredient list on your chocolate’s package to see whether there is anything you are allergic to. Or, you can go for other options besides chocolate, such as carob, candy melts,…
Fantastic Dessert To Make With Your Melting Chocolate
Melted chocolate is not only for drizzling, dipping, or coating. You can make tons of these delicious desserts with your melting chocolate!
Chocolate Truffles
When it comes to melted chocolate, the first thing popping up in my mind is chocolate truffles. Made of melted chocolate and cream, these lovely confections have made hundreds of people head over heels with their flavor.
You can use the leftover melted chocolate for their coating.
Chocolate Lava Cake
For a fancy date dinner, you should not skip this chocolate lava cake for dessert. Served right when warm, this dessert will melt in your mouth with a rich chocolate taste. You can eat it with a scoop of ice cream or some fruits for more flavors and textures.
Chocolate Brownies
Chocolate brownies make great company when working or relaxing. An afternoon will pass in a blink with a plate of brownies and a cup of milk or tea. The best thing is, it doesn’t take too long to make, and your kitchen will get filled with butter and chocolate’s aroma.
Chocolate Barks
Not only do they look appealing, but these chocolate barks are also easy to make. You just need to melt your chocolate.
Then, sprinkle any ingredients you want on it, such as nuts, dried fruits, and edible flower petals, and refrigerate the mixture for several minutes. Your beautiful sweet treat is ready to enjoy!
FAQs
Don’t worry if you’re still a bit bewildered after all the buying guides above. In this part, you’ll find some of the most frequent troubles when buying melting chocolate and my answers to them.
My Top Pick
Of all these ten products, the one that has caught my eyes is Callebaut Belgian Dark Melting Chocolate, as I love its rich flavor, and its texture is perfect for my chocolate desserts.
And if you want some melting chocolate at a reasonable price, ChocoMaker Milk Melting Chocolate should be your top pick.
So, are you satisfied with this list? Do you have any questions left unanswered? Or have you tried any of those above? Please share your thoughts with me in the comment section below.
