Field Guide to Candy: How to Identify and Make Virtually Every Candy Imaginable (92 page)

2.
Melt and
temper the chocolate
, or simply melt the coating chocolate.

3.
Add beans to the chocolate and stir to coat.

4.
Remove beans from chocolate, let any excess run off, and place them on the baking sheet to set.

Yield:

About 50 beans

Storage:

Store at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. If you used chocolate chips, you may need to refrigerate them.

General Description:

Decadent chocolate-dipped potato chips are chips—or
crisps
in the United Kingdom—coated in semisweet chocolate
. They are now sold by several candy companies, but homemade chocolate-dipped potato chips are especially rich, sweet, salty, and crunchy.

History:

The French may have invented truffles, but the
Americans have created the ultimate couch potato food. Chocolate-dipped potato chips are a recent invention and part of a trend toward salty-sweet confections such as
fleur de sel caramels
. This novelty snack has become increasingly popular in candy shops, mainly in North America.

Serving Suggestions:

Chocolate-dipped potato chips are a fun party snack year-round. They can be dipped halfway in chocolate or coated completely.

Candy-Making Notes:

Thicker chips work better than thin, breakable ones. Use ruffled or classic cut potato chips.

Recipe:

1.
Line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper.

2.
Melt and
temper the chocolate
, or simply melt the coating chocolate.

3.
Dip chips in the chocolate.

4.
Let excess chocolate run off before placing dipped chips on the baking sheet.

5.
Let chocolate set before serving or dipping in a
contrasting chocolate, drizzling with more chocolate, or serving.

Yield:

About 40 chips

Storage:

Store at room temperature for up to 3 days.

General Description:

The humble pretzel takes a gourmet turn when decadently dipped in chocolate
. Traditionally-shaped pretzels or pretzel sticks are covered in melted chocolate. They can be drizzled with additional chocolate or covered in sprinkles.