Do You Dream In Chocolate? We Do

Remember when you were little, and you always wanted to go to “fancy” restaurants (looking at you, Red Lobster) so you could feel fancy, too? Then, you grew up a little and realized that actual fancy restaurants are way too over the top and definitely don’t fit into your price range (just me?). Now, I just fantasize about extravagant plates of dessert, with under-portioned pieces of cake (they could definitely spare some more, don’t you think?).

Good news for us budget queens — we don’t have to just picture what beautiful desserts would be like, we can make them ourselves! With these surprisingly simple hacks, you can make elegant and super impressive plates to impress your family and friends, or just to treat yourself (and you don’t need to be a world-renowned fine dining chef to pull it off). All you need are some common household items like bubble wrap, ice cubes, and parchment paper to get the job done. Even better news: most of these tricks are made with chocolate, making this a double whammy for chocolate lovers and elegant foodies alike.

What are you waiting for? Get started on your journey to indulgence with these impressive plating hacks. Watch out world, there’s a new chef in town!

Chocolate Spiral

Ingredients:

• Tempered dark chocolate

Tools:

• Piping bag

Chocolate Water Art

Ingredients:

• Tempered dark chocolate

Tools:

• a glass of ice water
• Piping bag

Cocoa Powder Polka Dots

Ingredients:

• Cocoa powder

Tools:

• Polka dot slotted spoon

Seriously amazing. I’ve never wanted a squeeze bottle more than I do right now.

Chocolate Splash

Ingredients:

• Tempered dark chocolate

Tools:

• Cling wrap
• Piping bag
• Small bowl

Chocolate Ice Sculpture

Ingredients:

• Tempered dark chocolate

Tools:

• Ice cubes

Chocolate Coins

Ingredients:

• Tempered dark, milk and white chocolate

Tools:

• Ice cold wax seal stamp
• Piping bag

Honeycomb Chocolate

Ingredients:

• Tempered milk chocolate

Tools:

• Clean bubble wrap
• Offset spatula

Chocolate Feather

Ingredients:

• Tempered milk chocolate

Tools:

• Sharp paring knife
• Clean comb
• Parchment paper
• Large plastic cup

Chocolate Flag

Ingredients:

• Dark, milk and white chocolate shavings

Tools:

• Wax paper
• Hot plate

Chocolate Circles

Ingredients:

• Melted dark chocolate

Tools:

• Piping tip

Chocolate Coral

Ingredients:

• Melted dark and white chocolate

Tools:

• Jar lid
• Piping bag

Can’t get enough of these plating tricks? Not to worry:

Who knew all I needed for this were things I already own? If you need me, I’ll be in the kitchen!