Chocolate Petals - Raupua Tiakarete
A simple chocolate decorations that bring cakes to life.
Ingredients
Chocolate Petals - Raupua Tiakarete
- 100 g tiakarete parauri (dark chocolate). You can use whatever chocolate you like. If you are decorating a large, double layer cake change the ratio to 160 g.
The Decorations - Ngā Whakarākei
- Any bling that you want to add. Freeze dried fruit, gold leaf or edible fruit powders all work.
Instructions
Melt the Chocolate:
- Chop the tiakarete parauri (dark chocolate) in to fine pieces and add it to a heat-proof bowl.
- Melt it gently in a heat-proof bowl that is sitting over a pot of barely simmering water (around 3cm deep). Make sure the bowl is not touching the water.
- You can also do this in 15 second bursts in the microwave, stir gently after each 15 seconds.
- With both melting methods, only melt ¾'s of the tiakarete (chocolate) and then remove from the heat. Stir gently until it is all melted.
Create the Dark Chocolate Petal Decorations:
- On to a flat baking tray, lined with baking paper, add dollops of the melted chocolate on to baking paper.
- Once you have added a dollop, smear it with the back of the teaspoon. There are no rules here in terms of size and shape. Just go with it.
- If you are hua tuaraki-tio (freeze-dried fruit) or powder, add it on while the tiakarete (chocolate) is not set.
- Once you have used all the tiakarete, leave to set on the bench for 20 minutes. Then add them to the fridge to completely set for 5 more minutes.
- If you are using rau kōura (gold leaf), add it on with a dry paintbrush when the petals are fully set and remain on the baking paper.
Tips for the Decorations:
- Be gentle as you use them and just gently peel the decorations off the baking paper.
- Don't handle them too much either because the heat of your hands will start to melt them.
- If you are using them to decorate a cake, make sure the icing or buttercream has not set hard because they will not stick.
- If it is hot in your kāuta (kitchen), add them on to your freshly decorated goods (when the icing is still soft) in the fridge.
Use the Dark Chocolate Petal Decorations:
- Once they have set, they are free to use however you wish. Try them on my cookbook chocolate cake or my Vegan Chocolate Cake.
Store the Decorations:
- These will keep well stored in a sealed container, in the fridge or in a cool cupboard for a few days.