How to Melt Chocolate Chips
Here, three different ways to melt chocolate chips: on the stove, in the microwave and in a water bath.
Renee Comet
How to Melt Chocolate Chips
According to Nestlé's website, a lady named Ruth Wakefield invented the chocolate chip cookie in 1939 in her restaurant, the Toll House. She broke up a bar of Nestlé Semi-Sweet Chocolate and mixed it into cookie batter. A Boston newspaper published her recipe, and ultimately, Nestle started selling chocolate chips.
The chips, or morsels, were created to hold their shape when baked. That makes them a bit trickier to melt than plain chocolate, and easier to burn. Therefore, it's important to melt them very gently in a double boiler on the stove or in very short bursts of heat in the microwave. Read on to learn exactly how to melt chocolate chips three ways.
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Method #1: How to Melt Chocolate Chips on the Stove
This method takes slightly longer than the microwave technique. However, it's the most surefire way to avoid burning chocolate chips.
Step 1: Set Up a Double Boiler
Fill a pot with 2 inches of water and set a bowl over the pot to create a double boiler. Make sure the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water.
Step 2: Heat the Chocolate Chips Over Medium
Add the chocolate chips to the bowl and turn the heat to medium. Heat the chocolate, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until smooth.
Step 3: Keep the Chocolate Warm with This Trick
If you need to keep the chocolate warm and melted for dipping, leave the bowl over the double boiler.
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Method #2: How to Melt Chocolate Chips In the Microwave
As with melting other types of chocolate in the microwave, the keys here are short bursts of heat and lots of stirring.
Step 1: Break Out the Microwave-Safe Bowl
Put up to 2 cups of chocolate chips in a dry glass or microwave-safe bowl.
Step 2: Microwave and Stir
Microwave at 50% power for 30 seconds, then take the bowl from the microwave and stir with a silicone spatula.
Step 3: Microwave and Stir Again
Microwave at 50% power for 20 seconds more, then stir again.
Step 4: Repeat Steps 2 and 3 Until Chocolate Chips Are Melted
Repeat until chips are almost entirely melted, then stir with a rubber spatula until smooth. This helps avoid burning the chocolate chips.
How Long Does It Take to Melt Chocolate Chips In the Microwave?
If you’re melting 2 cups of regular or jumbo-sized chocolate chips, plan to microwave them for 2 minutes at 50% power in 20-second intervals, stirring between each interval.
If you're melting 2 cups of mini chocolate chips, plan for 1 1/2 minutes at 50% power in 20-second intervals, stirring between each interval.
Method #3: How to Melt Chocolate Chips In a Water Bath
This method takes longer than the microwave or the stovetop, but is mostly hands-off. It's useful for when you want to pipe with chocolate. After the chocolate melts in the bag, you can dry off the bag, snip off the corner and start decorating.
Step 1: Add Chocolate Chips to a Zip-Top Bag
Place up to 1 cup of chocolate chips in a freezer-weight zip-top bag and seal it completely. If any water gets into the bag, it'll break the chocolate, making it grainy.
Step 2: Put the Bag In a Bowl of Warm Water
Make sure the water is not boiling, or else it'll melt the plastic bag.
Step 3: Occasionally Massage the Bag
Take out the bag a few times and massage it to melt all the chips evenly.
How Do You Melt White Chocolate Chips?
Melt white chocolate chips in a dry glass bowl in the microwave at 50% power in 20 second bursts, stirring between each burst. Stop when the white chocolate is 80% melted and stir by hand until it finishes melting.
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