How To Airbrush Chocolate
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Airbrushing chocolate is a relatively new art form. Many chocolatiers still use brushes to paint chocolate, but this task is much more tedious and time-consuming. An airbrush can be fairly inexpensive, and it paints the chocolate quickly, applying an even layer to the top of the chocolate. The paints used in painting chocolate, both with traditional paintbrushes and airbrushes, are made of an edible cocoa butter base and range in colors from matte to pearl.

Airbrushing Chocolate

Transfer the color from its plastic container into an airbrush jar. Warm it in the microwave for one minute. Remove the jar from the microwave. Shake the container. If the color is not fully melted, place it back into the microwave and repeat until it is.

Spray the mold. When airbrushing chocolate, you spray the mold rather than the chocolate itself. Attach the chosen color to the airbrush (screw the jar into place). Begin with the lightest color first to save yourself from cleaning the airbrush after each color. Place the chocolate mold upright in a cardboard box to prevent the paint from spraying on the counter. Hold the gun at right angles to the tray. Adjust the nozzle for more or less spray. Spray the paint on the side of the cardboard box before painting the mold to see if the desired effect has been achieved.

Clean-up the mess. Cap the colored jars tightly to save the cocoa-butter paint. Wipe the airbrush down with a warm, damp cloth. Dawn dish soap, Palmolive or Tide help remove excess cocoa butter. Use a straight pin or needle to clear butter out of the nozzle and a pipe cleaner for the hose.

Tips

  • Lay the mold face down to dry. Place on wax paper or newspaper.

  • Combine matte and pearl finishes to create an elegant look.