Dark chocolate

Chocolate with a higher cocoa percentage and less sugar than milk chocolate — the higher the percentage, the more bitter and intense. Melts and snaps differently than chocolate chips, which are formulated to hold their shape when baked.

Dark chocolate

Used for

  • baking
  • ganache
  • dipping
  • melting

In the kitchen

  • chop before melting for even heat
  • melt in a double boiler or short microwave bursts, stirring often
  • temper for a glossy snap if using for coating

Picking it at the store

  • Check the cocoa percentage on the label — 70% is a common baking default, but recipes vary; higher percentages are more bitter and less sweet
  • Bar chocolate melts smoother than chips for ganache and dipping since chips are formulated to resist melting and hold their shape

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