FOOD NEWS
The Bubble Wrap Hack That Makes A Superb Chocolate Garnish
By Elaina Friedman
Adding a decorative finishing touch to your dessert can make all the difference, and instead of buying frosting tips or molds, just pull out some discarded bubble wrap.
Bubble wrap can serve as an unlikely chocolate mold that, when chilled, yields thin sheets of dimpled chocolate that are perfect for decorating cakes, cupcakes, or any dessert.
Start by cutting a clean piece of unpopped bubble wrap into a square or rectangle that will fit inside a baking sheet. You can also make fun shapes, such as hearts or stars.
Fasten the wrap to the baking sheet with double-sided tape and set aside, then melt your baking chocolate in a double broiler or a heat-safe bowl over a pot of simmering water.
Let the chocolate cool slightly, pour it over your bubble wrap, use an offset spatula to spread it into an even layer, and let it cool in the fridge until it's hard to the touch.
Finally, carefully flip the sheet upside-down and peel off the bubble wrap. If all goes well, you'll be left with a hardened chocolate that looks like a sheet of honeycomb.
You could experiment using different thicknesses of bubble wrap to make large or small bumps on your chocolate sheet or use multiple chocolates to create stripes or swirls.