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Post by flanz on Apr 16, 2022 18:17:36 GMT
I'm creating another photo heavy cookbook as a surprise for my (chosen) niece's bridal shower. Her mom is my bestie and I've eaten her Peanut Butter Balls many times though we live 2,500 miles apart.
I had NO idea she melts paraffin wax into the chocolate she dips the balls into!!! Wondering how common this practice is and if YOU would eat that.
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Post by cakediva on Apr 16, 2022 18:19:49 GMT
Depends on the chocolate. If I’m tempering chocolate for moulding I will use cocoa butter pellets.
But for melting wafers I use a bit of shortening to give it some fluidity.
I’ve heard the paraffin thing but never done it.
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Post by llinin on Apr 16, 2022 18:23:52 GMT
I do but only for buckeyes and bonbons. My mom did so when I started making them I did as well. I think it is pretty common.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,791
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Apr 16, 2022 18:25:32 GMT
I think it helps keep the chocolate solid at room temp. A friend used to make peanut butter balls with it - they were delicious. I’ve never used it myself.
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Post by Basket1lady on Apr 16, 2022 18:26:03 GMT
I don’t, but do use coconut oil. It helps a lot for dipping.
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Post by flanz on Apr 16, 2022 18:27:49 GMT
I don’t, but do use coconut oil. It helps a lot for dipping. Thanks. I'd be a lot more likely to add coconut oil. I'm a fan in general.
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Post by littlemama on Apr 16, 2022 18:34:14 GMT
Not paraffin, but shortening,I think? It has been a while. You definitely need sonething to stop if from seizing
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casii
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,517
Jun 29, 2014 14:40:44 GMT
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Post by casii on Apr 16, 2022 18:36:09 GMT
My mom and Nana used to. I stick with coconut oil.
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peasquared
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,682
Jul 6, 2014 23:59:59 GMT
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Post by peasquared on Apr 16, 2022 18:37:54 GMT
We always use a little when making Peanut Butter Balls. I always thought it weird when my mom did it, but now I do too.
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Post by compeateropeator on Apr 16, 2022 18:56:04 GMT
I do for peanut butter balls. But nowhere near the amount the recipes calls for. It gives them a sheen and they set up/harden better.
But that is just my opinion and I have absolutely no baking skills or anything other than peanut butter balls to compare using and not using it to.
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Post by chaosisapony on Apr 16, 2022 18:58:25 GMT
I don't work with melted chocolate often but sometimes I've added paraffin. It's what I was taught growing up to help the chocolate harden.
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Post by craftedbys on Apr 16, 2022 19:06:37 GMT
I remember my mom using paraffin back in the 70s and 80s when she made peanut butter balls and Martha Washington candy.
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Post by freecharlie on Apr 16, 2022 19:11:00 GMT
I do but only for buckeyes and bonbons. My mom did so when I started making them I did as well. I think it is pretty common. this
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msliz
Drama Llama
The Procrastinator
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Jun 26, 2014 21:32:34 GMT
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Post by msliz on Apr 16, 2022 20:22:05 GMT
I don’t, but do use coconut oil. It helps a lot for dipping. Thanks. I'd be a lot more likely to add coconut oil. I'm a fan in general. I add coconut oil too, but the finished product will melt quicker too. Depending on the time of year, I'll have to store my treats in the refrigerator.
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Post by flanz on Apr 16, 2022 20:34:44 GMT
Sooo.... is everyone comfortable EATING wax?
I know it's sprayed on apples, etc. which is why I try to buy organic...
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Post by Zee on Apr 16, 2022 20:51:22 GMT
Sooo.... is everyone comfortable EATING wax? I know it's sprayed on apples, etc. which is why I try to buy organic... Yes, it's nothing new and it's also used in the candy industry. But I don't make those little balls or anything else with melted chocolate because homemade ones always taste gross to me. I only eat Reese's peanut butter cups.
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Post by quinlove on Apr 16, 2022 21:00:33 GMT
Could someone post a tried and true recipe for peanut butter balls please. My son loves them. He is coming for a visit and he would be so happy if I made some for him. It’s been awhile since I’ve made them. In fact, last time I did, they didn’t turn out as good as before. I’ve never added wax or shortening. I used the melting wafers or choc chips in the microwave. Thanks.
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Post by flanz on Apr 16, 2022 21:17:41 GMT
Could someone post a tried and true recipe for peanut butter balls please. My son loves them. He is coming for a visit and he would be so happy if I made some for him. It’s been awhile since I’ve made them. In fact, last time I did, they didn’t turn out as good as before. I’ve never added wax or shortening. I used the melting wafers or choc chips in the microwave. Thanks. Hi! This is the recipe my niece adores. (I would prob. sub coconut oil for the wax.) PEANUT BUTTER BALLS ½ c. butter, room temp 1 c. peanut butter 2 ¾ c. powdered sugar 12 oz. semisweet or milk chocolate morsels 1/8 paraffin was block, shredded or shaved water waxed paper • In a large bowl, cream the butter and peanut butter with a mixer. • Once it's blended well, slowly add the powdered sugar. Usually, after the second cup, I'll check it every few times to make sure the mixture isn't too dry. • Once you've added all the sugar, it should be a nice soft consistency, not sticky and easy to roll but not dry to where it crumbles. If you put all the sugar in and it's still to sticky to roll, try putting in more a little at a time until it gets to a good rolling consistency. • Roll dough into balls. The size depends on how big or little you would like them. • Lay the balls on the wax paper in a row and then put in the freezer while you melt the chocolate. • To a medium size pot, add about 2-3 inches of water and bring to a boil. Once boiling, lower to a simmer and place a metal or glass bowl on top, making sure the bottom doesn't touch the water. • Add chocolate to the metal/glass bowl. Add wax and mix until it and the chocolate are both melted and a smooth consistency. • Once the chocolate is melted, take out the peanut butter balls and set them beside your pot of chocolate. Drop in one or two of the balls into the chocolate and then scoop them out with a fork or spoon. Set them on another cookie sheet or pan lined with wax paper. • Set them back in the freezer for about 5-10 minutes or until hard. They're ready to be served or stored in a decorative tin.
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quiltz
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,840
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Jun 29, 2014 16:13:28 GMT
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Post by quiltz on Apr 16, 2022 21:43:42 GMT
Sooo.... is everyone comfortable EATING wax? I know it's sprayed on apples, etc. which is why I try to buy organic... Yes, it's nothing new and it's also used in the candy industry. But I don't make those little balls or anything else with melted chocolate because homemade ones always taste gross to me. I only eat Reese's peanut butter cups. Many products contain paraffin to melted chocolate. FYI below on Hershey kisses. Why do Hershey kisses taste like vomit?And some experts believe that's because some companies such as Hershey's puts its milk through a process called controlled lipolysis. This breaks down the fatty acids in the milk and produces butyric acid - the chemical that gives vomit its very distinctive smell and acrid taste.
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Post by Merge on Apr 16, 2022 21:44:50 GMT
My mom always put paraffin in the chocolate for peanut butter balls, too. Yes, I'm totally fine with consuming a little food-grade wax. The refined sugar is much worse for you.
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tracylynn
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,899
Jun 26, 2014 22:49:09 GMT
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Post by tracylynn on Apr 16, 2022 23:02:47 GMT
Yep, for PB balls and coconut balls!
And yep, have eaten plenty of this in my life and never had a problem!
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Post by scrapmaven on Apr 16, 2022 23:17:34 GMT
I've never used Paraffin when I melt chocolate. Though, I wish I could give you more helpful info.
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Post by disneypal on Apr 16, 2022 23:53:44 GMT
I typically buy chocolate bark instead, that way I don’t have a need to buy paraffin
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Post by sideways on Apr 17, 2022 0:33:53 GMT
I did not know that adding paraffin to melted chocolate, or anything edible, was a thing.
I thought it was mostly a skin treatment or added to candles.
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Post by Skellinton on Apr 17, 2022 0:59:57 GMT
I just add a bit of shortening, but my Gramma added paraffin.
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Post by Lexica on Apr 17, 2022 1:13:18 GMT
My mom added Rice Krispies to her peanut butter for peanut butter balls to give them a bit of crunch, but I truly cannot recall her ever adding any wax. I know it is a common thing though.
Mom always made up elaborate cookie trays during the holidays to give out to several people on her list in addition to her trays for family members. During the last few years of her life, she just didn't have the strength to stand all day in the kitchen to make them. Knowing how much joy it gave her to give them out, I offered to become her stand-in baker. I turned her recliner around to face my kitchen and she directed me on what she wanted to be done. I know for sure that I didn't put any wax in the chocolate for her peanut butter balls.
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Post by candleangie on Apr 17, 2022 1:51:27 GMT
Sooo.... is everyone comfortable EATING wax? I know it's sprayed on apples, etc. which is why I try to buy organic... Do you eat snickers? Milky Way? Reese’s peanut butter cups? They all have wax in them. Its an edible item
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Post by crazy4scraps on Apr 17, 2022 4:47:58 GMT
Heck, we used to eat some of the wax from those flavored wax lips at Halloween when we were kids. To me it’s NBD. At the cake and candy supply store they sell food grade wax called paramount crystals to add to chocolate for dipping and molding. I’ve only used a little shortening because the wax comes in huge quantities that I would never use up In my lifetime.
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Post by quinlove on Apr 17, 2022 12:16:05 GMT
Thank you flanz for the recipe. This will make him very happy. 😊
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Gennifer
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Jun 26, 2014 8:22:26 GMT
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Post by Gennifer on Apr 17, 2022 18:29:14 GMT
The reason you add wax is to give it a sheen and help offset any blooming (white spots) from poorly-tempered chocolate. (When you buy chocolate melts they already have it added.)
Personally, I would rather not have the waxy mouthfeel I get from it, so I use a good chocolate (I use Callebaut) and don’t worry about any surface imperfections.
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