If you are a true “Coffee Connoisseur” then you love coffee prepared in any
way, shape or form. A combination of coffee and chocolate is sure to give you
goose bumps and have your mouth watering just thinking about it. A popular
treat among coffee lovers is chocolate covered coffee beans. You can buy these
tasty treats at almost any coffee shop or specialty store. But wouldn’t it be
wonderful to make your own chocolate covered coffee beans and impress your
spouse, family and friends. If you follow a simple recipe and get the right
ingredients you are sure to make a pleasing chocolate indulgence.
Select Your Coffee Beans and Decide What Kind of Chocolate
First and foremost you need to buy high quality coffee beans. If you
purchase the beans at the grocery store be sure they are fresh and not broken
or damaged. Purchase a brand you are familiar with so you know the taste will
be up to par. You might have better luck if you go to a coffee specialty shop
and buy your beans from them. Next you need to purchase your chocolate.
What
kind of chocolate works best? Dipping chocolate is easier to work with and it
tends to set up nicer. This kind of chocolate may be harder to come by but if
you are looking for quality it is worth the search. Chocolate chips and
chocolate squares will work too. After you have selected the type of chocolate
you are going to use you need to decide on the flavor. Milk chocolate is the
most popular for candy style treats, but some other options are dark,
semi-sweet or white chocolate. Use your own personal preference when selecting
your chocolate flavor.
Melt and Prepare Chocolate for Dipping
If you have not worked with chocolate much then candy making can be a little
tricky. You have to be careful when melting your chocolate because if you get
it too hot it will burn and taste funny.
Some tips for melting your chocolate are:
Make sure you use a low temperature and stir often
For microwave melting cook 1-2 minute per square or ¼ cup and watch
carefully stirring occasionally. (Use caution microwaves can burn the chocolate
easily)
If you use a double broiler, place the chocolate in the top pan with
boiling water underneath.
Be careful not to get moisture in the chocolate because this can cause
unwanted lumps. If lumps form use 1 tablespoon of shortening per square of
chocolate and stir until smooth.
Cool the chocolate to a warm temperature before dipping the beans; this
helps prevent burns on your fingers.