Chocolate decorations for all occasions

But that doesn''t mean they can''t be used on other occasions. Read which ones.

For special occasions or just because

Chocolate decorations are most often found on cakes, but they are also suitable for decorating other treats. Surprise your friend by making him/her a cup of delicious coffee or hot chocolate with whipped cream and spruce it up with cute decorations. Whether you''re a beginner or more skilled in the kitchen, this gesture is sure to brighten up the day of the person you choose.

But their versatility doesn''t stop there - during the festive season, you can spice up your Christmas tree with chocolate ornaments instead of the usual decorations. Bake Christmas cookies and draw designs of your choice on them, then hang them on the branches of your Christmas tree. And at the end of the festive season, when you''re tidying up, you and your family can gather together and enjoy sweet treats that are sure to brighten up your tidy-up.

What do you need to create chocolate decorations?

For beginners and those who already know how to make ornaments, we recommend using a decorating bag, waxed paper, a palette knife or parchment paper to practise shaping and, of course, chocolate! Whether you use chocolate drops to make the chocolate or simply break the chocolate, make sure you use good quality chocolate. This is the only way to make your decorations not only look perfect, but also taste delicious.

How to make chocolate decorations?

Chocolate decorations make a lovely addition to many a confectionery and taste absolutely divine. At first glance, it may seem almost impossible to create such beautiful decorations at home, like the ones you find in the shops, but take heart - if you follow the tips below, even those less experienced in the kitchen can make beautiful creations.

Storing chocolate

Before we start making the ornaments themselves, we need to melt the chocolate first. At first glance, this is the easiest step in making decorations, but creamy, smooth chocolate isn''t always the easiest to get to. Moisture can cause chocolate to become hard and rough, so make sure you store it in a suitable place and at a suitable temperature before making it.

Chocolate decorations are an indispensable addition that add a nice touch to cakes and other assorted confectionery.

Chocolate is quite delicate and absorbs odours and moisture quickly, which can be avoided if it is stored in a cool, dry and dark place. Large changes in temperature are also less than beneficial for chocolate, as the cocoa butter can separate from the chocolate itself and cause ''chocolate greying''.

Creating different designs

Before you start melting the chocolate, make sure that all the containers and utensils used in your creation are completely dry. Otherwise, you can melt the chocolate on the stove or in the microwave.

As mentioned, you can use parchment paper to create the decorations, on which you can spread the melted chocolate and start creating. Alternatively, you can use a decorating bag or a plastic bag that you cut the top off and fill with chocolate. On waxed paper, you can apply chocolate in the shape of hearts, geometric elements, numbers, circles, initials or whatever your heart desires!

Practice makes perfect

As with any creative endeavour, practice is key when it comes to designing chocolate ornaments. So don''t be intimidated if you don''t have a very dexterous hand and you don''t get it right the first time. The more you try, the better you''ll get. You can start with simple designs, ones that you think won''t be too much trouble. Otherwise, chocolate is extremely rewarding when it comes to creativity. For example, if you don''t get the decoration right the first time, you can melt the chocolate again before it hardens and start from scratch.