How To Make Chocolate Curls - Confessions Of A Baking Queen

Chocolate curls are an elegant finishing touch that makes any dessert look and feel special. With just chocolate and a bit of fat, you can melt, spread, chill, and scrape them into beautifully shaped curls. They're surprisingly easy to make at home and instantly elevate cakes, pies, and even ice cream.

chocolate curls in a wax lined glass container sitting on a light pink surface

I wanted to share a quick tutorial for making chocolate curls, they are so beautiful. I know the first time I made them years ago I was so intimidated at the thought that it actually took me years to make them. When I finally did I laughed at myself for being so scared for all those years prior!! I had the same experience with creme brulee too, now also a favorite!!

Trust me, don't wait, make these chocolate curls now and pat yourself on the back!! They are perfect atop so many desserts or even a just a bowl of ice cream looks fancy with chocolate curls!

chocolate curls on top of a tiramisu cake on a light pink surface

Chocolate + a Little Fat = Perfect Shine & Shape

You only need two simple ingredients to make chocolate curls.

  • Good-Quality Chocolate The smoother and higher quality the chocolate, the more elegant and defined your curls will be.
  • Butter or Coconut OilAdding a small amount of fat helps the curls hold their shape and keeps them shiny as they cool.

If you want to make just chocolate shavings you can take a vegetable peeler and peel a chocolate bar. This method will create very small chocolate shavings that do the trick, but don't look as pretty as these curls. Be careful of your fingers!

Melt, Chill & Swipe for Beauty

butter and chocolate in a glass bowl on a light pink surface
Melt chocolate and butter together.
melted chocolate in a glass bowl on a light pink surface
Mix until smooth and completely melted.
melted chocolate poured onto the back of a baking sheet sitting on a light pink surface
Once completely melted pour the melted chocolate on the back of a clean metal baking sheet/ cookie sheet.
hand holding an angled spatula spreading melted chocolate on top of a baking sheet on a light pink surface
Use an angled spatula to spread the chocolate into a thin layer, but not paper-thin.
melted chocolate spread in a thin layer on top of a metal baking sheet on a light pink surface
Place the pan in the fridge to harden.
hand holding a metal spatula making a chocolate curl on the back of a metal baking sheet on a light pink surface
Then take the pan out and use the back of a metal spatula to gently push the chocolate and roll it into a curl
chocolate curls on a chocolate lined baking sheet with a metal spatula sitting on a light pink surface
Keep pushing to get the chocolate curls.

If the chocolate is too soft it will smudge together if it is too cold it won't roll into a chocolate curl it will shave off. So it's best to just test a piece or two. Depending on how cold/ and how full your fridge is your chocolate may take longer or shorter to firm up properly.

chocolate that is too soft and won't turn into chocoalte curls on a metal baking sheet on a light pink surface
Chocolate that is too warm will not curl.
chocolate curls in a wax lined glass container on a light pink surface
Place the chocolate curls in a wax-lined container and stick in the fridge or freezer immediately to prevent the curls from sticking together and melting down. 

Recipes to use these in

  • Chocolate curls make just about anything feel more fancy some of my favorite ways to use them are:
  • My chocolate Guinness cake recipe is delicious and chocolate curls would be a fabulous addition!
  • Adding a curl on top of this chocolate cheesecake would make it even more gorgeous!

★★★★★ Please let me know if you make this recipe by leaving a star rating and comment below!

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x
  • 4oz Good Quality Chocolate, finely chopped
  • 2 Teaspoons Butter or Coconut Oil
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Instructions

  1. In a heat-proof bowl add the chopped chocolate and butter. You can either microwave it on 50% power in 15-second increments, mixing in between, when you think it has one more increment it is actually probably done and you just need to mix it for a minute or two and let the residual heat completely melt it. Chocolate burns easily so don't overheat it! OR make a bain-marie- place a pot filled with a little water over low-medium heat with a larger heatproof bowl on top (the bowl should not be touching the water). Add chocolate and butter, stirring occasionally. You are letting the steam from the water melt the chocolate slowly to prevent burning. 
  2. Once completely melted pour the chocolate on the back of a clean metal baking sheet. Use an angled spatula to spread the chocolate into a thin layer, but not paper-thin. Place the pan in the fridge for 10 minutes or so. Then take the pan out and use the back of a metal spatula to gently push the chocolate and roll it into a curl. If the chocolate is too soft it will smudge together if it is too cold it won't roll into a chocolate curl it will shave off. So it's best to just test a piece or two, depending on how cold/ and how full your fridge is your chocolate may take longer or shorter to firm up properly. 
  3. Place chocolate curls in a wax-lined container and stick in the fridge or freezer immediately to prevent the curls from sticking together and melting down. 
  4. Store in the fridge for up to one week.

Equipment

angled spatula

Angled Spatula

Buy Now → dark chocolate callets

Callebaut Chocolate Callets

Buy Now → half sheet pans

Half Sheet Pan

Buy Now →

Notes

  • You can definitely store these in the freezer or refrigerator a few days before using. I place them in a wax lined sealed container to keep fresh.
  • Author: Elizabeth Waterson
  • Prep Time: 5
  • Cook Time: 5
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Cook
  • Cuisine: American
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