Ann Reardon

Chocolate Balloon Dog

chocolate balloon dog ann reardon

This is one of those projects that was much easier in my head than in reality. However, now that I have the technique figured out, you should be able to recreate your own chocolate balloon dog. Just be prepared for some patience as there is a fair bit of repetition involved in making all ten pieces.

 

When I filmed this video we were about to pick up our new puppy. I am happy to say, as I type this, she is sleeping happily on my knee. A super cute ball of fluff called Molly. Before we got our puppy someone told me it’s like having a newborn in the house again. Well it only took her two nights to learn to sleep through the night, so definitely not comparable to the newborn experience. More like having a cheeky toddler that you are trying to toilet train. My boys are absolutely loving having a puppy to play with and cuddle.

To make your own chocolate balloon dog you will need:

A packet of long balloon modelling balloons with a balloon pump.
Gold luster dust (optional)
Chocolate! I used compound chocolate because it would have taken forever to temper and re-temper every time I was ready to fill a balloon. If you happen to own a tempering machine that keeps your chocolate in perfect temper then you can use real chocolate. Otherwise for the rest of us, I’d suggest go with compound chocolate that contains vegetable fat. As to how much you’ll need? I used 3 x 290g (10.23 ounces) bags but I lost quite a bit of chocolate in figuring out how to make it.

In the experiment phase I had quite a few balloons pop, which meant chocolate splattered on me, the floor and the wall. Tip: let it set before cleaning up, it makes it easier.

chocolate balloon dog ann reardon

To avoid balloons popping on you:

1. Make sure your chocolate is not too hot. If you’ve just melted it in the microwave and it feels hot to you, let it cool a bit before using. If you don’t it will pop your balloon.

2. Don’t use single balloons, double them up as shown in the video.

3. Try not to over-handle the balloon once it has chocolate in it. This includes trying to tie knots, see the video for an alternative.

4. As soon as the chocolate is spread put it in the freezer so it sets fast.

5. You should have an 80% success rate if you stick to the above three pointers. That means for whatever reason 20% will still pop. But with a double balloon you’ll hear the internal balloon pop. Then straight away wrap the balloon in paper towel, put it over a bowl and let the melted chocolate out into the bowl. If you didn’t head point number one the outside balloon will be popping very soon, wrapping it in paper towel will stop it from going everywhere. You need to tip the chocolate out because even if the outside balloon doesn’t pop, you can’t use it because it will set with a popped balloon mixed into the chocolate.

balloon dog measurements

Above is the measurements for an ‘ideal’ balloon dog. They can all be a bit different but it is important the the two ears and pairs of legs match. Once you’ve made one ear and it is set, place it next to the second one that you are making and adjust the size and position of clamps so it matches.

chocolate balloon dog ann reardon
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19 Comments View Comments

  1. Rating: 5

    haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

  2. Rating: 4.5

    Know how just go kind to iOS to school among people to be able to be in

  3. Rating: 4.5

    As a balloon worker, I can tell you the easy, almost instantaneous way to put one pencil balloon into another pencil balloon: a long skinny skewer. (Blunt the tip of it if it’s sharp and pointy, which it probably is.) Put the skewer in the balloon that’s going to be the inner balloon, then just slide it into the outer balloon. The talc makes it slide very easily.

    But I should also point out that the talc is considered unhealthy, and balloon workers are always advised to use pumps rather than blowing the balloons up by mouth, so you don’t inhale the talc. I don’t know if eating the talc is as harmful as inhaling it, but it does deserve mention.

  4. Rating: 5

    I will be back next week next year next week next

  5. Rating: 5

    Looks like something I could cook up

  6. Rating: 3.5

    Hi Anne what brand of compound chocolate do you use? Thanks

  7. Rating: 4

    Well, HOW DO YOU MAKE IT??!!

    • Hi Tammy, There is a video showing how to make it above. If it is not showing up for you please make sure you have an up to date browser.

  8. Rating: 5

    hi Ann! what brand of luster dust did you use with this? it coats perfectly!

    • Hi Morti, The one I used says creative cake decorating at the top

  9. Rating: 5

    I’ve tried this 5 times but I’m determined to figure it out. I can’t figure out how you managed to keep the balloon inflated as you pour in the chocolate.

    • Hi Holly, you need to twist the balloon to keep the air in it as you put it tightly over the top of the bottle. Then you can let it untwist, the air now can’t escape because there is no where for it to go. You can then tip the chocolate into the balloon – the air swaps into the bottle.

  10. Rating: 5

    What a fantastic idea, and thanks for saving me from some of the experimental failures, I’ll probably still make a mess the first time. I really love your chocolate vids and recipes I’m personally not interested in baking.

    • Thanks Margort, I’m glad you liked it ?

  11. Rating: 5

    The balloon dog is a fantastic idea. That is why I like watching your videos, because you have amazingly creative ideas. Thank you for sharing them.

    I would also like to see what dog you get.

    • Thanks DaLeana ??

  12. Rating: 5

    Awwww! it so cute!
    I would love to see your puppy what type is it? I will be getting my baby in 3-4 weeks time

    • So exciting, I’ll hopefully get a short video of the puppy edited and up this week, she is sitting on my knee as I type these replies. ??

      • nice

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