The Best Molds for Making Chocolate at Home

When creating chocolate treats at home, using the right tools like high-quality chocolate molds can elevate your creations from simple to spectacular. With the variety of molds available today, from silicone to polycarbonate, and from simple shapes to intricate designs, there’s a mold for every type of chocolate creation. Here, we’ll guide you through several chocolate-making molds, including specific product recommendations, tips for selecting the right molds, and reliable sites to find quality molds for your chocolate-making adventures.

Live & Age Well Over 60 Interview: Patricia

“I like to use molds that are fun for my creations. The type of mold I choose depends on what I’m making, for example deeper molds are perfect for filled chocolates. During the holiday season, I enjoy using Christmas tree and snowman molds. I also like to make chocolate pops as gifts for friends and family.”

Why Choosing the Right Chocolate Mold Matters

The mold you choose affects not only the shape but also the texture, shine, and ease of removal of your chocolates. High-quality molds help you create chocolates that look polished and professional, with minimal effort. Selecting the right mold ensures that your creations will be easy to remove without cracking or losing their shape.

Types of Chocolate Molds

1. Silicone Molds
Silicone molds are flexible, easy to handle, and versatile. They come in a wide range of shapes, from simple bars to detailed holiday designs. Silicone molds are a popular choice for beginner chocolatiers due to their non-stick properties, making it easy to remove the chocolate without damage. However, they might not produce as shiny a finish as other materials.

2. Polycarbonate Molds
Polycarbonate molds are the go-to choice for professional chocolatiers. Made of sturdy, transparent plastic, they create chocolates with a beautiful, glossy finish. These molds are more durable than silicone and help produce a high-quality look with sharp, detailed shapes. They are ideal for creating chocolates with a snap and are often used for filled chocolates due to their structured design.

3. Plastic Molds
Plastic molds, typically thinner and more flexible than polycarbonate, are budget-friendly and great for single-use or seasonal projects. While they may not last as long as silicone or polycarbonate molds, they’re a good choice for making chocolates in bulk or for specific occasions. Plastic molds also come in a variety of themes and are easy to find.

Recommended Chocolate Molds for Different Projects

1. Best for Beginners: Freshware Chocolate Silicone Mold

Freshware’s silicone molds are ideal for those new to chocolate making. The soft, flexible molds make it easy to pop chocolates out without breaking. These molds come in basic shapes like hearts and squares, making them versatile for various occasions.

Where to Buy: Amazon, Walmart

2. Best for Professional Finish: Martellato Polycarbonate Mold

Martellato offers high-quality polycarbonate molds favored by professionals. These molds produce glossy chocolates with a refined finish, and they come in intricate designs for pralines, truffles, and bonbons. They’re durable and perfect for making larger batches of chocolates.

Where to Buy: Martellato, Sur La Table

3. Best for Detailed Shapes: Wilton Plastic Candy Molds

Wilton is known for its wide range of plastic molds that are perfect for themed chocolates. Wilton offers fun shapes like flowers, animals, and festive holiday designs. While they may not last as long, Wilton’s plastic molds are affordable and great for seasonal chocolate-making projects.

Where to Buy: Wilton, Michael’s

4. Best for Fillable Chocolates: Pavoni Italia Polycarbonate Mold

Pavoni Italia offers polycarbonate molds ideal for making filled chocolates. The molds are designed with a little extra depth, allowing for a good amount of filling without compromising the chocolate’s structure. These molds come in elegant shapes, making them perfect for gift-worthy chocolates.

Where to Buy: Pavoni Italia, Etsy

5. Best for Bars: Silikomart Chocolate Bar Mold

Silikomart specializes in silicone molds, and their bar molds are perfect for making homemade chocolate bars. These molds allow you to customize the thickness of your bars and add fillings like nuts, dried fruit, or caramel. Silikomart’s silicone molds are durable and easy to work with, even for larger bars.

Where to Buy: Silikomart, Amazon

Where to Buy Quality Chocolate Molds

1. Amazon
Amazon offers a vast selection of molds for all skill levels and preferences. You can find everything from basic silicone molds to high-end polycarbonate options. With customer reviews and ratings, Amazon makes it easy to compare different brands and choose the best mold for your needs.

2. Etsy
Etsy is a great source for unique and handmade molds. Many sellers offer custom molds or themed designs that you won’t find anywhere else. For chocolatiers looking for molds with character, Etsy has a wide variety of creative and unusual options.

3. Wilton
As a trusted name in baking and candy-making, Wilton’s website is an excellent resource for quality chocolate molds. They have a large selection of plastic candy molds with themes for every season, making it a go-to site for beginners as well as seasoned chocolate makers.

4. Sur La Table
Sur La Table offers a selection of high-quality chocolate molds at reasonable prices, including polycarbonate options used by professionals. They have a smaller but carefully chosen range, ensuring that each product meets high standards.

5. Michaels
Known for crafting supplies, Michaels has a good selection of seasonal and themed plastic molds. Their molds are affordable and accessible, making them an ideal choice for family-friendly chocolate projects or holiday-themed chocolates.

Tips for Choosing the Best Chocolate Molds

1. Consider the Material
Think about your skill level and the type of chocolates you want to make. Silicone is forgiving and easy to use, while polycarbonate molds provide a professional finish.

2. Match Molds to Occasion
For holidays or themed events, look for molds with specific designs, like hearts for Valentine’s Day or snowflakes for winter. Having a variety of molds on hand allows you to customize chocolates for any occasion.

3. Look for High-Quality Brands
Invest in high-quality molds from trusted brands. While they may cost more, they’ll last longer and provide better results, making them worth the investment.

4. Check Customer Reviews
Reading reviews from other chocolate makers can provide insight into a mold’s quality and usability. Amazon and Etsy, in particular, are helpful for finding feedback on different molds.

5. Experiment with Shapes and Sizes
Don’t be afraid to experiment. Try out different sizes and shapes to add variety to your chocolates. Bars, filled chocolates, and bite-sized shapes can all be made with the right molds.

Conclusion

The right chocolate mold can make all the difference in creating beautiful, high-quality chocolates at home. You can find a mold that will suit your needs and help you bring your chocolate creations to life. Start by exploring reputable sites like Amazon, Etsy, Wilton, and Sur La Table to find the perfect mold for your next chocolate-making project.