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Homemade Dark Chocolate Coins (and how to quick temper chocolate in the microwave)

Homemade Dark Chocolate Coins (and how to quick temper chocolate in the microwave)

These homemade dark chocolate coins are one of the simplest holiday treats to make.  They are great as homemade Hanukkah gelt or as a healthy option for your holiday dessert table.  Simple dark chocolate with optional dried fruit or nuts make for a delicious and festive treat that is not overly sweet.

homemade dark chocolate coins with dried strawberries and toasted almonds are a delicious paleo holiday dessert

Easy and delicious dark chocolate coins

These easy to make dark chocolate coins can be made in less than 30 minutes.  I use a microwave to melt the chocolate instead of the traditional double boiler method.  The chocolate is then quickly tempered by adding small pieces of already tempered chocolate to ensure the coins have that delicious snap like store bought chocolate.

What is tempered chocolate?

Have you ever made a dessert with melted chocolate only to have it turn dullish gray?  That waxy white coating on top is cocoa butter.  To prevent separation and obtain chocolate with the characteristic snap in commercial chocolate, chocolate needs to be tempered.

How to quick temper chocolate in the microwave

Chocolate tempering ensures that the proper crystalline structure of chocolate is retained.  In the case of these dark chocolate coins, I use a “seeding” method to introduce already tempered chocolate once most of the dark chocolate is melted and cooled.

These simple steps are all that you need to quick temper chocolate in the microwave:

  1. Chop your chocolate bar
  2. Place large chocolate chunks in a microwave safe bowl
  3. Melt chocolate in the microwave on high, stirring every 20 seconds
slightly melt chocolate to quick temper chocolate in the microwave
Melt chocolate in the microwave, stirring every 20 seconds
how to easily quick temper chocolate in the microwave
Almost there… just 20 seconds more

Once chocolate is finally melted, let it cool until it is warm to the touch

fully melted chocolate ready to quick temper
Fully melted chocolate, ready to quick temper

Add the fine chocolate bits (from chopping) and stir until fully incorporated.  You want a few small pieces of chocolate to remain unmelted.  If all of the chocolate melts, you will need to add small amounts of additional chocolate bits and incorporated by stirring

add chocolate shavings to quick temper chocolate
6. Add fine chocolate bits to fully melted, but not hot, chocolate to finish the quick tempering process

Quickly shape your chocolate as desired.  In this case, pour on prepared parchment paper and smooth into a uniform sheet.

smoothing out chocolate after quick tempering it in the microwave
Smoothing out chocolate to make dark chocolate coins

Homemade Chocolate Coins Recipe

paleo dark chocolate coins for Hanukkah

Dark Chocolate Coins

Yield: 60 coins
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Quick temper chocolate to make delicious homemade chocolate coins

Ingredients

  • 250 grams Dark Chocolate, I prefer 72% dark chocolate
  • Dried Strawberries, optional
  • Toasted Almonds, optional

Instructions

  1. Chop dark chocolate into small chunks
  2. Transfer all but the smallest pieces to a medium size glass bowl
  3. Melt chocolate in microwave, stirring every 20 seconds, until chocolate is mostly melted
  4. Continue to stir chocolate until completely melted
  5. Add half of the chocolate crumbs to melted chocolate, stir to incorporate
  6. If chocolate crumbs completely melted upon addition to melted chocolate, add remainder of chocolate crumbs and stir to incorporate fully
  7. Pour melted chocolate onto parchment paper
  8. Smooth into a uniform layer with either a rubber spatula or metal scraper. Chocolate layer should be approximately 1/2 cm or 1/4 inch thick
  9. Let chocolate layer solidify (chocolate will go from shiny to dull)
  10. Using a 1 inch circle cookie cutter, cut disks from chocolate once chocolate sheet is firm but not brittle

To add toppings (optional)

  1. Melt some of the remaining chocolate scraps in the microwave (you don't need to worry about tempering it as the chocolate will act as "glue")
  2. Using a tooth pick, "paint" some of the melted chocolate onto the back of the fruit or toasted nuts you want to add to the chocolate coins
  3. Store at room temperature in an air-tight container until ready to serve
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 60
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 97

Nutrition information (per 4 coins, 16 grams each serving):

  • 97 calories
  • 4 g added sugar
  • 2 g fiber
  • 1 g protein
  • 0 mg sodium
  • 6 g fat

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how to quick temper chocolate in the microwave

Catherine Baez Sholl

Monday 17th of December 2018

These are so easy to make. I want to make these with my nieces, they would love to cut them out and add the nuts and fruits.

Meredith

Tuesday 18th of December 2018

Catherine - making these chocolate coins is a favorite holiday activity for my boys. I do the chocolate work and they cut out the coins and add their favorite toppings. I hope your nieces enjoy making them with you!

Anne Lawton

Sunday 16th of December 2018

These are so festive. And thank you for sharing your tips on tempering chocolate. I'm going to try it the next time I melt chocolate.

Annemarie

Saturday 15th of December 2018

Great idea for an easy holiday treat! These are so much better than store-bought.

ChihYu

Friday 14th of December 2018

I love this recipe! The photos are gorgeous and what a delicious treat!

Jean

Wednesday 12th of December 2018

So simple but so fun and delicious! I can never say no to chocolate and this one sounds like a keeper.

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