DIY Chocolate Baskets

By Prev Info - January 08, 2023

I set out to make baskets or nets made out of lacy chocolate, based on a few DIY projects from around the Internet.

It was touch-and-go for a while, but in the end I succeeded. Pro tip: Don't skimp on the chocolate. If the lines are too weak, the basket won't hold up to the pressure of the balloon when it deflates.

Instructions

I started by melting bittersweet chocolate over the stove, double boiler-style. You can do it in the microwave too, but there's a better chance of scorching it.
Basically you just keep stirring the chocolate in a bowl (or double boiler) over simmering water until the chocolate melts. Takes about 5 minutes. Nothing to it!
When it was completely melted, I ladled the chocolate into a plastic squeeze bottle (you can get them at any restaurant supply store).

I started by melting bittersweet chocolate over the stove, double boiler-style. You can do it in the microwave too, but there's a better chance of scorching it.

Basically you just keep stirring the chocolate in a bowl (or double boiler) over simmering water until the chocolate melts. Takes about 5 minutes. Nothing to it!

When it was completely melted, I ladled the chocolate into a plastic squeeze bottle (you can get them at any restaurant supply store).

And blew up some small balloons. I couldn't find any water balloons, so I had to make do with some heavier-duty balloons from a helicopter toy (you gotta make do with what you can find at the grocery store, sometimes).

Then I lined a baking sheet with parchment and spooned a puddle of chocolate on the bottom to use as a base.

Then I placed the finished balloon on the chocolate base.

Now came the fun part: squirting melted chocolate all over the balloons in a random lacy pattern to form the nest.

I repeated the process with more balloons and set them aside to dry for a few hours, until the chocolate was no longer glossy. (You could probably get away with 30 minutes, but I didn't want to take any chances.)

At long last, it was time for the moment of truth. I cut the balloons open at the knot. The balloon is supposed pull away from the chocolate as it deflates...