Chocolate Model

Directions

1. 1
   ["There are a few things to keep in mind when you start a project like this one.", "First, have fun.", "Second, the bigger the mold, the thicker the layer of chocolate.", "For the Base: There are a few options for making a chocolate base.", "If you have a plastic deli tray, you can pour a 1/4-inch-thick layer of white chocolate onto it.", "Allow it to set.", "When it hardens, the chocolate will retract from the sides.", "Simply overturn the tray being careful to support the chocolate.", "Remember, the chocolate base will assume any pattern that exists on the tray.", "Make sure the tray is big enough for the bottom of your mold.", "If you do not have a tray, simply use an offset spatula to spread a 1/4-inch-thick layer of tempered chocolate onto a sheet of parchment paper, being sure to spread it all the way to the edges.", "Lift the chocolate-covered paper by its corners and move it to a clean space on your work surface.", "Let the chocolate harden slightly, 4 to 5 minutes.", "The chocolate should be firm enough to cut but it will not be hard.", "Using the tip of a sharp paring knife or an X-acto knife, cut a straight edge and cut a base that is large enough to hold the mold.", "For the Support Pole: Roll a piece of parchment paper into a tube.", "The thickness of the tube will be determined by the size of your body mold.", "This piece will support the body so make sure it is long and thick enough to hold it.", "Set the tube on end and fill it with white chocolate.", "Allow this to set until hard.", "Pull the parchment paper with the chocolate inside out of the tube.", "Use white chocolate to glue the pole onto the base.", "Position it well so you can rest the body against it.", "For the Body: Start by drizzling both white and bittersweet chocolate in the mold.", "Dip your clean, dry fingers in the bowl of bittersweet chocolate and use them to spread the chocolate over the drizzles to create a marbled effect.", "Dipping your fingers in chocolate adds a thin layer of chocolate to the mold, which makes it easier to create the marble pattern.", "When the mold is marbleized, fill it with white chocolate.", "Pour excess chocolate back into the bowl.", "Place the bust upside down on a wire rack over parchment paper.", "Once the chocolate starts to harden, about 5 minutes, scrape the lip clean with a paring knife.", "Allow to harden.", "Using a paintbrush, paint another layer of white chocolate.", "Allow to harden and repeat until the chocolate is thick enough to support the structure.", "The inside of the bust should be evenly coated with chocolate.", "You will be able to see that the chocolate is ready to be unmolded when it automatically pulls away from the sides of the mold.", "(continued)", "If the chocolate is properly tempered, it will easily release from the mold.", "To unmold, rest your thumbs on the outside, place your first two fingers on the inside and gently begin to lift the mold from the chocolate.", "Do not press or pull too hard or you will break the chocolate.", "You will need to apply this lifting pressure to all four sides to loosen the chocolate from the mold.", "Use more chocolate to glue the mold onto the base.", "For the Face: Mix some red food coloring powder into a some of the melted cocoa butter.", "Using a small paint brush, paint the lips on the inside of the mask.", "Use other colors to paint the eyes, cheeks, eyebrows and any other features you desire.", "Allow the colors to set briefly.", "Use the same techniques for filling the inside of the mask as for filling the bust, except use only white chocolate.", "Let set and unmold.", "Use chocolate to \"glue\"" the mask onto the body.""