Last Updated on July 10, 2022
Surprise your loved one this Valentine’s day with a beautiful heart-shaped chocolate box! And, you can even fill it with their favorite treats!
This chocolate heart box is the perfect way to surprise your loved one with a snack, dessert, or even a gift! And, you can make it in less than an hour!
What Is A Heart-shaped Chocolate Box?
With Valentine’s day around the corner, it’s time to pull out all the stops! And, what better way to show your love to your partner than by hand-crafting these incredibly romantic heart-shaped chocolate boxes.
These are not only great because they add a touch of elegance to your dinner table, but also because they can be used to hide some other delicious treats inside!
But, unfortunately, this challenge is not for the faint of heart! While these boxes may seem relatively easy to make, they can be quite challenging. There are two methods you can follow.
3D Diamond Heart Shape Silicone Cake Mold
Candy melts method
The first, and easier of the two, is by using candy melts. Candy melts are chocolate-like discs that can be melted and shaped in a very similar way to real chocolate. But, they aren’t made from chocolate ingredients and they also don’t contain any cocoa butter.
Candy melts are made from a combination of sugar and vegetable oil. There are many manufacturers that produce chocolate-flavored candy melts (in white, milk, and dark flavors) like this one.
What makes this method so incredibly easy is that you don’t have to temper chocolate. You can simply combine the ingredients, shape them, set them, and you are done!
Tempered chocolate method
Then, the second method you can use is by tempering chocolate. So, if you have ever attempted this technique you know that it can be very frustrating. And honestly, no one has time for that anymore! But, you can still give it a go if you feel up to the challenge.
Tempered chocolate is chocolate discs (or chopped bars) that have been heated (melted) and then cooled to help stabilize the sugar crystals inside. Once stabilized, it gives the chocolate a hard snap and shiny finish.
The tricky part is the entire process! You have to heat (melt) the chocolate to the correct temperature so that all of the crystals can melt. Then, you need to cool it so that they can all re-crystallize at the same temperature and state.
How to temper chocolate?
Chocolate can be tempered in a few different ways. But, the easiest is to melt 2/3 (two-thirds) of the chocolate over hot water while stirring constantly. Once the chocolate has melted, add the remaining third of the chocolate and stir until melted.
Using a thermometer, heat the chocolate until it reaches 113 °F (45°C). Then, remove it from the heat and, while still stirring, cool it to 80°F (27°C).
Finally, reheat the chocolate to the correct temperature as listed below. Different types of chocolate need to re-form different crystals (which happens at a different temperature).
Dark chocolate – 89°F (32°C)
Milk chocolate – 88°F (31°C)
White chocolate – 86°F (30°F)
How To Make A Heart-shaped Chocolate Box?
The mere thought of making a heart-shaped chocolate box may seem intimidating to even some of the more advanced bakers. But, as long as you have a determined mindset and a little bit of patience, these boxes can be a breeze!
Today, we will discuss exactly how to make this heart-shaped chocolate box from candy melts. If you do choose to make it from tempered chocolate, you can follow the same shaping techniques described below.
What do you need to make a heart-shaped chocolate box?
Ingredients
- 5 ounces corn syrup
- 15 ounces chocolate-flavored candy melts
Equipment
- Acetate sheet
- Heart-shaped cookie cutter
- 2 acetate strips 2 inches wide (the strips should be as long as the outside of half the heart)
Step by step instructions for making a heart-shaped chocolate box with candy melts
Step 1: Make the “chocolate dough”
Melt the candy melts over medium heat. We prefer using a double boiler, but you can also melt it in a microwave. Make sure to stir the candy melts often so that they don’t burn.
Then, warm your corn syrup slightly so that it will be easier to mix with the melted candy melts. Combine the two melted ingredients together and mix well. It will have a similar consistency to soft-serve ice cream.
Finally, wrap the chocolate in plastic and allow it to set in the fridge. It should be firm, but still pliable. Once the chocolate has set, knead it until it is soft and smooth.
Step 2: Shape your chocolate heart base and top
Make sure that your chocolate is always pliable to work with. Roll out the chocolate dough onto the acetate sheet. The chocolate should be thinly rolled, only about 1/8 to 1/4-inch in thickness.
Using your heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut out two hearts and remove the rest of the dough. Allow the hearts to set until hard.
Step 3: Shape the sides of your box
Once your base and top have set, roll the chocolate onto the acetate sheets and cut off the excess.
Then, place both of the chocolate-covered acetate strips inside of the heart-shaped cookie cutter (on each side). Make sure to seal the edges by gently overlapping the two sides.
Allow the chocolate to set and then remove the acetate gently.
Step 4: Assemble the heart-shaped chocolate box
Melt a little extra chocolate (without corn syrup). Use the extra melted chocolate to glue the two heart lids onto the heart-shaped sides. Remember to fill your box before gluing the lid on!
Decorate the lid and sides with piped chocolate or other candy toppings!
What Can I Put In A Heart-shaped Box?
So, now that you have a hand-made chocolate box, what do you actually put inside? Well, the options are endless really. You can make a smaller box and add a delicious ganache-based filling or even a type of custard.
Or, you can naturally make a larger box and fill it with other delicious treats. Personally, we love filling this romantic box with more delicious heart-shaped chocolates, but you can also fill it with marshmallows, hard candies, mints, or flowers!
But, the safest option would always be to fill it with your partners’ favorite candy or snack – no matter what that may be!
Final Thoughts
And there you have it! Spoil your loved one with a handmade heart-shaped chocolate box this Valentine’s day, or any other special day really! If you like this article, be sure to check out our page for more useful tips and recipes on chocolate!
Read more about Silicone Molds For Chocolate – The Ultimate Beginners Guide
FAQs
How to make a heart shaped box out of chocolate?
First, you need to combine melted tempered chocolate or candy melts with corn syrup to form a chocolate dough. Using this dough, you can shape two heart-shaped bases and two 2-inch strips. The strips can be set inside the mold. Then, you can use some extra melted chocolate to attach the sides to the base and top.
Which chocolatier first packages chocolate in a heart shaped box?
Richard Cadbury (yes, from the famous Cadbury chocolate brand) was the first chocolatier in the industry to make heart shaped chocolate boxes for Valentine's day.
What can I put in a heart shaped box?
You can add a wide range of snacks inside of your heart shaped chocolate box including nuts, candy, marshmallows, and pretzels. But, you can also add a delicious filling to smaller boxes like custard or ganache.
Heart Shaped Chocolate Box
Equipment
- 1 Acetate sheet
- 1 Heart-shaped cookie cutter
- 2 2 acetate strips 2 inches wide (the strips should be as long as the outside of half the heart)
Ingredients
- 5 oz corn syrup
- 15 oz chocolate-flavored candy melts
Instructions
- Melt the candy melts over medium heat. We prefer using a double boiler, but you can also melt it in a microwave. Make sure to stir the candy melts often so that they don't burn. Then, warm your corn syrup slightly so that it will be easier to mix with the melted candy melts. Combine the two melted ingredients together and mix well. It will have a similar consistency to soft-serve ice cream. Finally, wrap the chocolate in plastic and allow it to set in the fridge. It should be firm, but still pliable. Once the chocolate has set, knead it until it is soft and smooth.
- Make sure that your chocolate is always pliable to work with. Roll out the chocolate dough onto the acetate sheet. The chocolate should be thinly rolled, only about 1/8 to 1/4-inch in thickness. Using your heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut out two hearts and remove the rest of the dough. Allow the hearts to set until hard.
- Once your base and top have set, roll the chocolate onto the acetate sheets and cut off the excess. Then, place both of the chocolate-covered acetate strips inside of the heart-shaped cookie cutter (on each side). Make sure to seal the edges by gently overlapping the two sides. Allow the chocolate to set and then remove the acetate gently.
- Melt a little extra chocolate (without corn syrup). Use the extra melted chocolate to glue the two heart lids onto the heart-shaped sides. Remember to fill your box before gluing the lid on! Decorate the lid and sides with piped chocolate or other candy toppings!
Lindy Van Schalkwyk is a culinary specialist with a background in Advanced Cooking, Advanced Pâtisserie, Media Communications and Nutrition. She has gained invaluable experience in the culinary industry having worked in some of the top restaurants in Africa in 2016 and 2017. Her expertise in nutrition has enabled her to develop recipes for special dietary needs. In 2018, Lindy began working in the Food Media industry, focusing on recipe development, recipe writing, food writing and food styling.