Halloween Chocolate Jack - O - Lantern
Cookie Jar Project

By Bob Sherman

This great Halloween project shows how to make an edible cookie jar out of chocolate. Fill with cookies, candy, chocolates, or chocolate covered pretzels for a great gift or centerpiece and when it's empty you can eat it. This project combines mold painting with open top molding to produce a large hollow Jack - O - Lantern.

Note that this is an advanced project which requires some difficult mold cutting.

Many 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.

Painting Chocolate
Many chocolate coatings will not flow smoothly when painting if used at full strength. For most colors you will need to melt some paramount crystals with the wafers to make them flow better.

Melting Chocolate
For the small amounts of dark, yellow, and green either melting method may be used, but I prefer the double boiler for the orange and milk chocolate because of the amount needed.

Double Boiler - See Double Boiler Usage Instructions.

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

1. Place the chocolate in a microwave safe bowl.
2. Heat for 30 seconds (small amounts such as those used here will require less - start with 10 seconds).
3. Remove and stir.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until the chocolate is creamy.
5. Optimum pouring temperature is about 90 degrees F. Note: Pouring chocolate molds hotter than 160 degrees F. will destroy the mold. 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.

• Jack - O Lantern Cookie Jar Mold
• Chocolate Coating - Orange, Yellow, Dark Green, Dark, and Milk chocolate were used here
• Paramount Crystals - Makes the colored chocolate flow smoother for painting, not normally needed for milk or dark chocolate
• Pastry Brush
• Paintbrush - 3 needed
• Double Boiler
• Thermometer

Step By Step Instructions

Step 1
Use a serrated knife and a sawing motion to separate the lid portion from both mold halves. Work slowly to avoid cracking the mold or cutting yourself. It is a good idea to do this atop a cutting board in case the knife slips to prevent damage to your work surface.

Step 2
Assemble the lid and clamp.

Melt some green chocolate. Use a brush to paint the stem area.

Step 3
Always check for air bubbles when painting.

Step 4
Prop the mold level and fill the stem area with green chocolate.

Step 5
Paint the yellow into the eyes. Allow it to harden before continuing.

Step 6
Paint the dark chocolate on the eyes, nose, and mouth areas.

Note: Use a dabbing motion near the yellow to avoid smearing it.

Step 7
Use a pastry brush to apply the orange chocolate. A dabbing motion is used when painting over previous colors. Allow to harden.

Continued On Page 2

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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 - October 2008. 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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Home > Chocolate Making Supplies > Chocolate Making Projects > Halloween Chocolate Projects > Jack - O - Lantern Cookie Jar Chocolate Making Project

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