How to fix seized or overheated chocolate — Tum Yum Yum — Tum Yum Yum (2024)

Written By Kelly C

Have you ever been making a chocolate based treat involving melting chocolate and had the horror of it seizing up and becoming a stiff, grainy, lumpy mess? I have! The worst thing is I rarely have chocolate spare to start over and in any case, what a waste it would be to bin it!

Never fear though, there is a way to save it and return it back to a smooth, satiny concoction.

I tend to find this happens when chocolate is heated too aggressively. Apparently chocolate is also prone to seizing when it comes in to contact with some kind of moisture during the melting process. So, what do you do to save it if your chocolate seizes?

Funnily enough, it’s super simple. First boil some water. Second, very slowly, as in 1-2 tsp at a time add in the boiling water and whisk the chocolate vigorously until the mixture is smooth again. The hot water will essentially melt the clumps back to a liquid consistency.

I have pictured the various stages of unseizing here. First you will see the chocolate will start to loosen but it will still be very grainy.

Next it will start to look quite smooth but almost oily. Don’t worry, keep going, adding just a teaspoon of water at a time at this stage.

Finally you will see the chocolate revert to a smooth and runny consistency.

The chocolate will still be perfectly usable for sauces, drizzles or when I last did this I used mine as an awesome topping on a rocky road. It will be diluted though and so I advise caution if planning to use it in baking. I believe there are ways to try and save seized chocolate for baking by adding additional fats but I have not personally tried this.

How to fix seized or overheated chocolate — Tum Yum Yum — Tum Yum Yum (2024)

FAQs

How to fix seized or overheated chocolate — Tum Yum Yum — Tum Yum Yum? ›

First boil some water. Second, very slowly, as in 1-2 tsp at a time add in the boiling water and whisk the chocolate vigorously until the mixture is smooth again. The hot water will essentially melt the clumps back to a liquid consistency.

How to fix melted chocolate that has seized? ›

Quick Fixes

Begin by incorporating a tablespoon of warm water into the mixture, stirring gently to revive the silky consistency. Should the chocolate persist in its seized state, introduce a touch of melted butter or coconut oil – the culinary alchemists' secret weapons.

Can you fix chocolate that has been overheated? ›

Add More Chocolate

As mentioned above, the lumpy mixture is a result of overheating. To fix seized chocolate, you need to quickly cool it down to regain the original consistency. One of the best ways to go about this is by adding more chopped chunks of chocolate to fix the seized chocolate.

How do you fix burnt hot chocolate? ›

One method you can use is mixing teaspoons of boiling water into your seized chocolate over a double boiler. Add the teaspoons one at a time, mixing thoroughly each time, until your chocolate is liquid again.

How do you reset melted chocolate? ›

The way to fix seized chocolate is completely counterintuitive. It's done by actually adding a little bit of melted butter, oil, or water back into the mixture and stirring vigorously.

Can you add milk to seized chocolate? ›

To fix seized chocolate, you can use one of the following methods: Add warm liquid: Gradually add a small amount of warm liquid (e.g., milk, cream, or water) to the seized chocolate while stirring continuously.

Why won't my melted chocolate harden? ›

The chocolate wasn't tempered (or pre-crystallised)

As a result, your chocolate won't harden and will continue to feel wet. Always temper your chocolate properly before working with it.

How do you fix burnt chocolate fondue? ›

Simply add a bit more hot cream, gradually stirring until the chocolate becomes smooth again. Adding water or a little liqueur would be even more effective, since it lacks water and not fat.

Can you still use seized chocolate? ›

Although you can't use the chocolate for its original purpose now, which was coating sweets with pure melted chocolate, you can use the seized chocolate to make brownies, chocolate sauce, mousse, or any dessert that calls for melting chocolate with some butter or a greater quantity of liquid.

What happens to chocolate if it gets too hot? ›

When chocolate is burnt, the smooth, liquid texture becomes thick and lumpy. The particles of the chocolate's ingredients will also separate and the sugar caramelize, making the chocolate grainy and sandy.

Does seized chocolate taste different? ›

Burnt chocolate will have a burnt aroma and taste, as well as a lumpy and grainy texture.

How long does chocolate take to reset? ›

Take a kitchen paper towel and fold it in half. Dip the folded area into the chocolate and allow to set in a cool place for up to five minutes. If properly tempered, the chocolate should set evenly within this time and feel dry to the touch.

Can melted chocolate be melted again? ›

Yes, it's possible to reheat chocolate that's previously been melted. Let the chocolate cool down completely and then store it in an airtight container, either in a cool spot in your kitchen or in the fridge. You can then melt it again later on using the usual steps.

Can melted chocolate go back to solid? ›

When a melted chocolate is kept in a refrigerator it solidifies on cooling. However when it will be kept at room temperature, it will absorb heat and melt again. Hence, it is a reversible process..

Can you add water to melted chocolate? ›

Chocolate and water don't go together. Even a small splash of water in your melting chocolate will cause it to seize, becoming stiff and grainy instead of smooth and silky. And sadly, there's no way to completely undo the damage.

How do you melt chocolate without it seizing up? ›

The double boil is a safe and simple way to keep your melting chocolate from burning and clumping. First, fill a cooking pot with about a quarter full of water. Then, grab a metal or glass mixing bowl that fits on top of the cooking pot and add the chocolate.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Lakeisha Bayer VM

Last Updated:

Views: 5930

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (49 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Lakeisha Bayer VM

Birthday: 1997-10-17

Address: Suite 835 34136 Adrian Mountains, Floydton, UT 81036

Phone: +3571527672278

Job: Manufacturing Agent

Hobby: Skimboarding, Photography, Roller skating, Knife making, Paintball, Embroidery, Gunsmithing

Introduction: My name is Lakeisha Bayer VM, I am a brainy, kind, enchanting, healthy, lovely, clean, witty person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.