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Creative Packaging For Chocolates Project

By Bob Sherman

When making chocolates for a gift or to sell, success often depends on nice appearance. For many chocolates this does not pose a problem as appropriately sized bags or boxes are available. Suitable packaging is not always available and requires you to get creative.

Although this project illustrates baseball bat packaging with chocolate baseballs, the same concept may be applied to most subjects by cutting out an appropriate shape. I used a very simple shape cut from a cake board for this and since baseball bats are commonly wood I used the brown side which looks very much like wood grain.

Variants
The following variations may be used to make these as elaborate and decorative as desired:

Decorate the board with non toxic markers.
Personalize it with a name, title, or message using non toxic markers. For example: Dad, Coach, Happy Birthday, etc...
Cover the board with colored foil or cellophane.
Decorate the board with icing.
Use your computer to enlarge and print clip art in a suitable design. This is then glued to the board and cut out. NOTE: Printer inks are generally not healthy for food contact so cover with clear plastic or stretch wrap before adhering chocolates.

Packaging Ideas
The following suggestions are just a small sample of what may be done with this method:

Ball sports - round board colored / patterned to that particular sport.
Golf Club.
Fishing - fish shaped board
Occupations - Cut board to shape of hat, badge, vehicle, or other item related to that occupation.
Music - Cut board to instrument shape.
Bridal - Wedding Bells shape.
Baby Shower - Baby Buggy, Wishing Well, or Umbrella shape.
Mother's / Father's Day - Board that says MOM or DAD, board in their hobby / occupation shape.
Easter - Egg shape board.
Christmas - Stocking or tree shape.
Saint Patrick's Day - Shamrock shape.
Valentine's Day - Heart shape.
Halloween - Pumpkin / Jack-o-Lantern shape.
New Year's Eve - Champagne Bottle Shape.
Birthday - Balloon shape, cake shape, or theme to their interests / hobbies.

Most of the items you may need can be ordered directly from this page for your convenience.

PLEASE NOTE!! - Although chocolate making is relatively safe for the entire family to participate, adult supervision is required.

Chocolate
I prefer to use chocolate wafers designed for home molding chocolate. My preferred brand is Merckens which works well with all chocolate molding projects, is available in a wide selection of colors, and tastes great.

Melting Chocolate
Either melting method may be used, but I find the double boiler more convenient.

Double Boiler - See Double Boiler Usage Instructions.

A microwave may also be used but care must be taken not to overheat the chocolate.

Place the chocolate in a microwave safe bowl.
Heat for 30 seconds.
Remove and stir.
Repeat steps 2 and 3 until the chocolate is creamy.
Optimum pouring temperature is about 90 degrees F. Do not place the thermometer in the microwave!

Chocolate Making Supplies And Materials

The following chocolate making supplies and other materials were used to make this project. Clicking on the item name will bring you to that item's page with a full description and ordering information.

Item	Amount Used
Chocolate Coating	Milk chocolate was used here.
Chocolate Mold	In a design suitable to your subject.
Cake Board	One.
Thermometer	One.
Double Boiler	For melting chocolate.
Cello Wrap or Clear Plastic	To cover finished board
Tape	Clear tape to fasten covering to back of the board.

Step By Step Instructions


1. The baseball mold was used without modification.	2. Standard chocolate making techniques were used - melt, pour, harden, then demold.

3. A bat was drawn on the back of the board (this prevents ink from any contact with chocolate.	4. A sharp razor knife was used to cut out the design - NOTE: Protect your work surface.

5. Melt a small amount of chocolate.	6. Place a dab of chocolate on the back of each ball.

7. Position the balls on the bat and allow the chocolate to harden.	8. The finished project waiting to be wrapped in plastic or cello.

Support Free Projects
You can help ensure the continued availabilty and production of free chocolate projects by telling your friends about them. The more popular they are the more we can produce so tell your friends, mention them on message boards, link to them from your web site, etc... More information is available here.

Disclaimer: The information presented here is accurate to the best of my knowledge and common chocolate making practices as of the time of this writing - June 2007. The author and the publisher accept no liability for the use or misuse of any of the information presented in this article. This article is presented for informational purposes and is used at your own risk.

Author: Bob Sherman

Publisher: Bobby's Craft Boutique Inc.

This article is provided free of charge for use. Products may be made and sold using this idea royalty free.

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