White chocolate is the best canvas in decorating. It is pale, it is glossy, and it takes pigment beautifully, pastels, brights and deep jewel tones all work. It is also the easiest thing in your kitchen to ruin.
Melt it gently
White chocolate contains more sugar and milk solids than dark, so it scorches at a lower temperature. Once it goes chalky and thick from heat, color will not save it.
- Microwave in short bursts at reduced power, stirring between each
- Or use a bain-marie with the bowl clear of the water
- Stop while a few small lumps remain and stir them out with residual heat
Color it with oil-based only
This is non-negotiable. Water-based gel will seize white chocolate instantly. Oil-based color blends into the cocoa butter and keeps it fluid and pourable.
- Add a small amount of color
- Stir thoroughly and evenly
- Assess, then build up gradually
Because the base is nearly white, you need far less color than you would in buttercream. Start light. It is easy to go darker and impossible to go back.
Getting true pastels
Pastels are where white chocolate shines. A single drop in a decent quantity of chocolate gives you the soft, chalky, on-trend shades that are difficult to achieve elsewhere. For a muted, sophisticated finish, mix a whisper of a complementary color rather than simply using less of one.
Candy melts and coatings
Compound coatings behave similarly but are more forgiving on temperature since they use vegetable fat rather than cocoa butter. The same water rule applies. If your coating is too thick for dipping, thin it with a little neutral oil or coconut oil, never water or milk.
Practical uses
- Dipped strawberries and pretzels
- Cake pops and truffle shells
- Colored drips
- Marbled bark and shards
- Painted chocolate decorations
Storage
Keep finished pieces cool and dry, away from direct light, which fades color over time. Avoid the fridge where possible, condensation on the surface causes sugar bloom and dulls your shine.
Color With Confidence
Yeast Bakers is an Authorized Dealer for Colour Mill, so every bottle you buy from us is genuine stock. Shop the full Colour Mill oil blend range, free shipping on orders over $25.