Ann Reardon

Chocolate decorations for desserts

Chocolate is so versatile it makes a great decoration for most plated desserts.  Here are just a few examples of what you can do.

Firstly make sure you are using tempered chocolate or your decorations will not set firm.
 
VIDEO PART 1

 
 
VIDEO PART 2


 

Chocolate Curls (pictured below on Banoffee Tart)

chocolate decorations fun with chocolate

Spread some chocolate onto overhead projector sheet, then roll the sheet and place in a glass or round object to hold the shape until set.
 
 

Chocolate Shards (pictured below on top of choc pavlova)

 
how to make chocolate shards decorations for desserts recipe

This one is the easiest of decorations and adds impressive height to desserts and cakes.  Place a sheet of alfoil over a chopping board or back of cooking tray.  Spread the melted choc over the alfoil then place in the freezer until set hard then snap into shards.
 

Chocolate Swirlies (on top of Carrot Cake with cream cheese frosting)

how to make chocolate decorations

Three dimensional swirls of chocolate can be made by piping melted chocolate into a glass of alcohol that had been sitting in the freezer for at least an hour.  I like to use marsala for making swirlies.  They look great on top of frosting on cupcakes.
 

Chocolate lolly Pops

how to make chocolate decorations for dessertsPlace lolly pop sticks on a tray lined with baking paper or tin foil.  Pipe circle swirls of chocolate over one end and sprinkle with hundreds and thousands.
 

Chocolate Sticks

"howSpread some chocolate at one end of baking paper then run through it with an icing comb.  For twisted sticks like these ones use overhead projector paper, roll and put in glass as for chocolate curls.

Below is a template for piped chocolate decorations. click on it to open in new window then select ‘file’ ‘save as’ to save it to your computer.
"template

This is the book that I used for the ‘texture mats’ from: Rubbings, the mats are at the back of the book.

You may also be interested in
* how to temper and chocolate and what chocolate to use for decorations
* How to make chocolate bowls
* How to make a box out of chocolate

My Cookbook

ann reardon crazy sweet creations cookbook
Stores that sell my book listed by country: http://bit.ly/ARcookbook
All recipe quantities in the book are in grams, ounces and cups.

87 Comments View Comments

  1. What a plreusae to find someone who thinks through the issues

    • Glad that you find the tutorials useful Pink.

  2. Hi Ann! We watch your YouTube videos almost every night before going to sleep, and we are always so inspired! We made a chocolate cake and made top decorations from tempered chocolate like you describe, and it worked! We are so proud!

    • Hi Malte & Theresa, Great work! So glad you are enjoying the tutorials and finding them helpful!

  3. What beautiful chocolate decorations these are!
    I’m not good at English. But i know that you cook very well^^

  4. Hi Ann,
    Just wanted to say I love your website and all of your videos. But I was having difficulty finding the chocolate garnish you used on your strawberry friasier. Could you please send me the link to the video. Thank you so much

  5. Hi can you please give an alternative for the wine used for chocolate swirls ?

  6. Just want to say THANK YOU for all of your wonderful videos and sharing your tips and tricks. You are an amazing teacher! I made tempered chocolate by following your video and doing the table-agitating method last night, and was very happy and surprised that it worked! So grateful for your willingness to share!

    • That is great to hear Meredith.

  7. I want to make the chocolate garnishes for my daughter’s party. How many days before the party can I make them? What is shelf life, how do I store them, should I refrigerate them?

    Thanks

    • YOU CAN MAKE THEM ANY DAY BUT YOU MUST STORE THEM IN REFRIGERATE

    • Hi Birthdaygirl, Ann recommends making them a few days prior, storing them in an airtight container and keeping them cool. Tempered chocolate doesn’t have to be refridgerated.

  8. Hi, first of all, i really like your site!.
    I have a question, is it possible to make the chocolate decorations a few days before you need them?

    • Hi Martin, you can make them a few days before without a problem.

  9. I have been looking in stores and online for texture mats like you used for your chocolate decorations with stars and swirls on it. I can’t find them anywhere. Can you tell me where you got yours from? Great tutorials!

  10. I can’t find the chocolate pattern template. There is a partial drawing on this page, but when I click on it, the cup with chocolate sticks pops up. Can you tell me how to download this template? Is this something that I need to purchase?
    Thanks! I really LOVE your work and the way you give so generously to good causes and to all of us. Thanks so much! -Marnie

  11. Hi Ann,
    First off, thank you for making your videos! It’s great to see processes I would normally shy off laid out so simply, I cannot wait to try them!
    Secondly, with the chocolate swirls, is any of the alcohol left on the swirls? I would love to make these for my toddler son and obviously don’t want him consuming any alcohol?
    Thanks 🙂

  12. Love u……fan of u

    • 😀

  13. I just watched your tempered chocolate decorations/garnishes video…AWESOME! I would like to attempt some of your techniques to do cupcake garnishes. I am hoping you will tell me that I can make them in advance as I will have my hands full making the 12 dozen cupcakes that said decore will be placed upon. If so, can you please advise how far in advance I can make the tempered chocolates and how to store them until they are used? Many thanks!

    • Hi Lori, yes you can make them ahead of time and store between sheets of non-stick baking paper either in the fridge or at room temp.

  14. Hi Ann,
    Great work you are sharing with us.
    Where did you buy the chock pattern (the stars f.e.). I can’t find any shop 🙁
    Thanks!

    • Hi Ela, Cake decorating stores, amazon and ebay all have it, search for chocolate transfer sheet

      • Hi again 🙂
        Thanks for the hint. Was a good idea, but I’m not searching for the transfer sheets (they already have at least one color). I’m searching for a blank one like you used in your chocolate decoration video (the one with the stars and circles).

        Best,
        Ela

      • Hi again,
        in case my first reply got lost, I’ll write it again. Sorry for that.

        Thanks for the hint Ann. I found a lot, but I did not search for the transfer sheets which already have at least one color. I’m searching for the blank one where I can add the colors I like and which you used in your chocolate decoration video (the one with the stars f.e.).

        Best,
        Ela

  15. Hello Ann! I just watched your butterfly video! AMAZING! But I can’t find the video with the list of the fake chocolat, and I’d like to know more about the oil fruit base, to put color in the white chocolate please 🙂

    excuse my english, I’m pretty bad hahahha!

  16. Hi Ann Readon I like your videos will you do a zebra cake please and thank you

  17. can you make curls so I can do it for my sisters cake please

    • chocolate curls? There’s a video on my YouTube channel that will show you how 🙂

  18. Thanks for finally writing about > Chocolate decorations for
    desserts | HowToCookThat : Cakes, Dessert
    & ChocolateHowToCookThat : Cakes, Dessert & Chocolate < Loved it!

  19. Hi,

    How will it work out if I melt ferrero rocher or Godiva chocolates to make such patterns of chocolate?

    Thank you

    • Hi Anjali, as long as it is plain chocolate (without other fillings in it) it should be fine, but if it has cocoa butter in the ingredients you will need to temper it. If contains vegetable oil you can just melt it. See the post on tempering

      • I’m shkecod that I found this info so easily.

  20. Hi Anne, I love your work. Could you please post a video on how to make the chocolate harbour bridge. Thanks

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