Best 8 Chocolate Leaves For Garnish Recipes

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Chocolate leaves are an elegant and sophisticated addition to any dessert plate, adding a touch of sweetness and complexity to the overall flavor profile. With their delicate texture and rich chocolate flavor, these leaves can instantly elevate the appearance and taste of any culinary creation. Crafting chocolate leaves at home is a relatively simple process that requires only a few basic ingredients and some patience. In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide to creating beautiful and delicious chocolate leaves that will impress your guests and add a touch of refinement to your desserts.

Let's cook with our recipes!

CHOCOLATE LEAVES



Chocolate Leaves image

Chocolate leaves are decorations that look just like delicate leaves. Learn how to make chocolate leaves and use them to top cakes, cupcakes, and more.

Provided by Elizabeth LaBau

Categories     Candy

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 3

24 fresh leaves (washed and dried)
8 ounces chocolate candy coating
Optional: luster dust (to decorate)

Steps:

  • Gather the ingredients.
  • Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with waxed paper or parchment paper..
  • Place the candy coating in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave it until melted, stirring after every 30 seconds to prevent overheating.
  • Dip the paintbrush in the melted candy coating and brush a thick layer of chocolate on the underside of the leaf. The underside typically has more pronounced veins, and will give you a better pattern on your leaves. Make sure that you're generous with the layer of candy coating-if it's too thin, the chocolate leaf will crack when you to remove it.
  • Set the leaf, chocolate side up, on the waxed paper, and repeat with the remaining leaves. You can use different colors of candy coating to make a variety of leaves, if you'd like.
  • Once all of the leaves are covered with chocolate, refrigerate the tray to set the coating, for about 20 minutes.
  • When the chocolate is fully set, remove the tray from the refrigerator. Carefully peel the leaves back from the chocolate, trying not to handle the leaves too much to prevent your body heat from melting the chocolate.
  • If you'd like to give your leaves a metallic shine, use luster dust to decorate them when they're finished. Dip a clean, dry paintbrush in luster dust, and brush a thin layer of dust along the edges. For a more dramatic look, brush a layer of dust over the entire leaf.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 53 kcal, Carbohydrate 6 g, Cholesterol 2 mg, Fiber 1 g, Protein 1 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, Sodium 9 mg, Sugar 5 g, Fat 3 g, ServingSize 24 leaves (24 servings), UnsaturatedFat 0 g

CHOCOLATE LEAVES



Chocolate Leaves image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     dessert

Time 45m

Yield Approximately 2 dozen leaves

Number Of Ingredients 1

16 ounces bittersweet chocolate, tempered

Steps:

  • Place the metal leaf template onto parchment paper. Using a small offset spatula, spread bittersweet chocolate over the template. Remove the stencil and allow to harden. If you don't have a stencil, use a paintbrush to spread bittersweet chocolate over a real leaf on the shiny side, keeping the thickness to about 1/8-inch. Allow the chocolate to set completely then gently peel back the leaf from the chocolate.
  • How to Temper Chocolate(From Dessert Circus, Extraordinary Desserts You Can Make At Home by Jacques Torres):
  • Chocolate is tempered so that after it has been melted, it retains its gloss and hardens again without becoming chalky and white (that happens when the molecules of fat separate and form on top of the chocolate). There are a variety of ways to temper.
  • One of the easiest ways to temper chocolate is to chop it into small pieces and then place it in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time on high power until most of the chocolate is melted. Be very careful not to overheat it. (The temperature of dark chocolate should be between 88 and 90 degrees F, slightly warmer than your bottom lip. It will retain its shape even when mostly melted. White and milk chocolates melt at a temperature approximately 2 degrees F less because of the amount of lactose they contain.) Any remaining lumps will melt in the chocolate's residual heat. Use an immersion blender or whisk to break up the lumps. Usually, chocolate begins to set, or crystallize, along the side of the bowl. As it sets, mix those crystals into the melted chocolate to temper it. A glass bowl retains heat well and keeps the chocolate tempered longer.
  • Another way to temper chocolate is called seeding. In this method, add small pieces of unmelted chocolate to melted chocolate. The amount of unmelted chocolate to be added depends on the temperature of the melted chocolate, but is usually 1/4 of the total amount. It is easiest to use an immersion blender for this, or a whisk.
  • The classic way to temper chocolate is called tabliering. Two thirds of the melted chocolate is poured onto a marble or another cold work surface. The chocolate is spread out and worked with a spatula until its temperature is approximately 81 degrees F. At this stage, it is thick and begins to set. This tempered chocolate is then added to the remaining non-tempered chocolate and mixed thoroughly until the mass has a completely uniform temperature. If the temperature is still too high, part of the chocolate is worked further on the cold surface until the correct temperature is reached. This is a lot of work, requires a lot of room, and makes a big mess.
  • A simple method of checking tempering, is to apply a small quantity of chocolate to a piece of paper or to the point of a knife. If the chocolate has been correctly tempered, it will harden evenly and show a good gloss within a few minutes.

LAUREN AMSTERDAM'S CHOCOLATE LEAVES



Lauren Amsterdam's Chocolate Leaves image

This recipe for delicious chocolate leaves is from Stone Barns pie-baking contest winner Lauren Amsterdam and her son Ty. Try these leaves atop Ty Amsterdam's Mud Pie.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Fall Recipes

Yield Use to make as many leaves as desired

Number Of Ingredients 1

3 bars (3 1/2 ounces each) best-quality dark or milk chocolate

Steps:

  • Wash and dry freshly picked leaves of your choice; set aside. In a heatproof bowl set over (but not touching) simmering water, melt chocolate. Immediately transfer chocolate to a squeeze bottle.
  • Place leaves on a parchment-lined baking sheet, bottom side up. Outline each leaf with chocolate, then fill in centers. Transfer leaves to freezer until chocolate has set.
  • Peel leaves from chocolate and use chocolate leaves for garnish.

WHITE-CHOCOLATE-MINT MOUSSE



White-Chocolate-Mint Mousse image

A very simple, very delicious mousse. I serve it in individual goblets, garnished with fresh mint, or, if there's time, mint leaves brushed with egg white and coated with confectioner's sugar and frozen. Or, even fancier, paint mint leaves with melted dark chocolate, chill, then peel off the mint leaves--you have delicate dark chocolate leaves for garnish.

Provided by Chef Kate

Categories     Dessert

Time 55m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 1/2 cups cold heavy cream (divided use, NOT ultra pasteurized)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
10 ounces white chocolate, chopped I use Lindt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoon mint extract (the organic kind)
white chocolate, shavings for topping
fresh mint leaves (to garnish)

Steps:

  • Have ready a serving bowl with at least a 6-cup capacity.
  • In a medium saucepan over low heat, place 1/2 cup of the cream and the butter and heat until the mixture is hot and the butter melts. Do not let the mixture boil. Remove the pan from the heat.
  • Add the white chocolate and let it soften in the hot cream mixture for about 30 seconds. Stir the mixture until it is smooth and all of the white chocolate melts.
  • Transfer the mixture to a bowl and refrigerate until cool to the touch but still pourable, about 30 minutes.
  • In the large bowl of an electric mixer, mix the remaining 2 cups of cold cream, vanilla, mint extract and the cooled white-chocolate mixture on low speed to blend the ingredients.
  • Increase the speed to medium high and beat until firm peaks form, about 1 minute.
  • Transfer the mousse to a serving bowl, cover and refrigerate up to 1 day. When ready to serve, either leave in the serving bowl or spoon into individual serving bowls/goblets, garnish with the white-chocolate shavings and mint leaves and serve cold.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 475.6, Fat 41.8, SaturatedFat 25.8, Cholesterol 114.5, Sodium 60.6, Carbohydrate 23.2, Sugar 21.1, Protein 3.6

CHOCOLATE LEAVES



Chocolate Leaves image

Categories     Chocolate     Condiment     Winter     Bon Appétit

Yield Makes about 40

Number Of Ingredients 3

8 ounces bittersweet (not unsweetened) or semisweet chocolate, chopped
40 assorted sizes of camellia leaves or lemon leaves, wiped clean
Gold dust* (optional)

Steps:

  • Line large baking sheet with foil. Melt chocolate in top of double boiler over simmering water, stirring until smooth and instant-read thermometer inserted into chocolate registers 115°F. Brush chocolate over veined side (underside) of 1 leaf, coating thickly and completely. Arrange chocolate side up on prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining leaves and chocolate, rewarming chocolate if necessary to maintain 115°F temperature. Chill leaves until firm, about 45 minutes. Starting at stem end, carefully pull back green leaf, releasing chocolate leaf; return leaves to same baking sheet. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and keep chilled.) Using small artist brush, carefully brush some leaves with gold dust, if desired.
  • *Available at cake and candy supply stores, or by mail from Jane's Cakes and Chocolates at 800-262-7630.

CHOCOLATE-MINT LEAVES



Chocolate-Mint Leaves image

Chocolate molded into the shape of mint leaves makes a heavenly garnish for our Chocolate-Mint Cupcakes and Chocolate-Mint Torte.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 5

Fresh mint leaves
Bittersweet chocolate, melted and cooled slightly
Small paintbrush
Skewers
Kitchen tweezers

Steps:

  • Using paintbrush, coat underside of 1 leaf with a thick layer of chocolate. Drape leaf, chocolate side up, over a skewer set on a parchment-lined baking sheet, top. Repeat. Refrigerate until set, about 10 minutes.
  • Gently grasp each leaf with tweezers, and peel from chocolate. Use chocolate leaves to decorate as desired, or store, refrigerated, in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

WHITE CHOCOLATE LEAVES



White Chocolate Leaves image

Categories     Chocolate     Dessert     Quick & Easy     Gourmet

Number Of Ingredients 0

Steps:

  • In a metal bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water melt 2 ounces white chocolate. Pat dry 20 pesticide-free non-toxic leaves (such as rose or lemon) and with a pastry brush coat backs of leaves about 1/8 inch thick with chocolate. Chill leaves, chocolate sides up, 30 minutes, or until very firm. Carefully peel off real leaves. Chocolate leaves keep, layered between sheets of wax paper and chilled, 1 week. Recommended for garnish on cakes, berry desserts, and chocolate mousses.

CHOCOLATE LEAVES-FOR GARNISH



Chocolate Leaves-for garnish image

Easy, pretty and so yummy. These edible leaves are so beautiful on any dessert.

Provided by Bea L. @BeachChic

Categories     Candies

Number Of Ingredients 2

20 - assorted sizes of maple leaves
1/2 - bag cocoa candy melts

Steps:

  • Carefully wash leaves really well and carefully pat dry with a paper towel.
  • Place leaves on cookie sheet lined with waxed paper.
  • Melt candy melts then carefully brush on tops of leaves.
  • Refrigerate long enough for candy to harden (maybe 5 minutes, give or take) and carefully pull leaves away from candy.
  • I have used maple & dogwood leaves.

Tips for Making Chocolate Leaves for Garnish:

- Choose high-quality chocolate: The quality of the chocolate you use will greatly impact the final product. Opt for a chocolate with a cocoa content of at least 60%. Dark chocolate works best, as it has a lower sugar content and a more intense flavor. - Use fresh leaves: For the best results, use fresh, clean leaves. Avoid leaves that are wilted or have holes. - Wash the leaves thoroughly: Gently rinse the leaves under cold water to remove any dirt or debris. Pat them dry with a paper towel. - Remove the stems: Carefully remove the stems from the leaves. You can use a paring knife or a pair of scissors to do this. - Temper the chocolate: Tempering the chocolate will help it set properly and give it a glossy finish. To temper chocolate, melt it in a double boiler or in the microwave in short bursts, stirring constantly. - Work quickly: Chocolate sets quickly, so it's important to work quickly when you're making chocolate leaves. - Be patient: It takes a little practice to get the hang of making chocolate leaves. Don't be discouraged if your first few attempts don't turn out perfectly. Just keep practicing and you'll eventually get the hang of it.

Conclusion:

Chocolate leaves are a beautiful and elegant way to garnish cakes, cupcakes, and other desserts. They're also a great way to add a touch of sophistication to a simple dessert. With a little practice, you can easily make your own chocolate leaves at home. So next time you're looking for a way to dress up your desserts, give chocolate leaves a try!

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