How to Thin Candy Coating for Dipping Cake Pops

Written By Donna Bradley

How to Thin Candy Coating for Perfect Cake Pops

Getting that smooth, glossy candy coating can sometimes be tricky. If you’ve ever tried dipping cake pops and found the candy coating to be too thick, resulting in a lumpy or uneven finish, don’t worry….you’re not alone.  Here’s a guide to help you thin your candy coating for flawless cake pops every time.

Why Is Thinning Necessary?

Candy melts, the coating used for cake pops, can sometimes be too thick right out of the bag. This can cause the cake pops to break off the stick or result in an overly heavy coating. The goal is to achieve a smooth, even coat that dries with a slight shine. Thinning the candy melts makes the dipping process easier and leads to a more professional look.

What You’ll Need:

Step-by-Step Guide to Thinning Candy Coating:

1. Melt the Candy Coating

First, melt your candy melts using a microwave or double boiler. If you’re using the microwave, heat in 30-second intervals at 50% heat, stirring in between each session to avoid overheating. Candy melts can burn easily, so don’t rush this step!

If using a double boiler, make sure the water doesn’t touch the bottom of your bowl. Gently heat the candy melts until they are smooth and fully melted.

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2. Assess the Consistency

Once your candy melts are fully melted, check the consistency. The melted candy should flow smoothly off your spoon and should be a very runny consistency.  However, the melted coating may still appear a bit thick for dipping. This is where thinning becomes important.

3. Choose Your Thinning Agent

There are a few options for thinning candy melts:

  • Vegetable Shortening: This is the most commonly recommended method. Add a teaspoon of shortening at a time to your melted candy melts and stir until fully incorporated. The shortening won’t affect the taste or color of your coating, but it will help it become thinner and more fluid.  If you choose to use shortening, I recommend adding this before the candy melts are completely melted.  Sometimes it’s hard to get the shortening to melt completely melt into the candy coating after the coating is completely melted.  If the coating is already hot, DO NOT PUT IT BACK IN THE MICROWAVE to melt the shortening.  It will then get too hot and burn.

  • Paramount Crystals: These are specifically made for thinning out candy melts. They are essentially flakes of solid shortening, and they melt smoothly into the coating. Add a small amount (about 1 tablespoon for every 1 cup of candy melts) and stir until melted, adding more if the coating consistency isn’t to how you want it. https://www.countrykitchensa.com/catalog/searchresults.aspx?description=Paramount

  • Vegetable Oil or Coconut Oil: You can also use oil to thin your candy melts. However, use it sparingly—a little goes a long way. Start with ½ teaspoon of oil and gradually add more if necessary. Keep in mind that oil can make the coating a little more translucent, so be cautious with the amount you use.

4. Mix Thoroughly

After adding your thinning agent, stir the candy melts thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and runny. The consistency you’re aiming for should be not quite as thick as honey—fluid enough to coat your cake pops evenly without clumping or being too runny.

5. Test the Coating

Before dipping all of your cake pops, do a test dip. Insert the stick into one of your cake pops and dip it into the thinned candy coating. Pull it out and let the excess drip off, gently tapping the stick on the edge of your bowl to remove the extra coating.

If the candy coating flows smoothly and creates a thin, even layer on the cake pop, you’ve achieved the right consistency. If it’s still too thick, repeat the thinning process with small amounts of shortening or oil.

6. Dip the Cake Pops

Now that your candy melts are perfectly thinned, it’s time to dip the rest of your cake pops. Work quickly but carefully, as candy melts can start to thicken as they cool. If this happens, simply reheat the mixture for a few seconds and stir.

Pro Tips:

  • Avoid Over-Thinning: Adding too much thinning agent can cause the coating to become too runny and lose its structure. Add in small increments, and test often.

  • Work in Small Batches: If you’re making a lot of cake pops, melt the candy melts in small batches to prevent it from hardening too quickly.

Final Thoughts

I find that paramount crystals are the easiest and best to use if your chocolate is too thick.  However, this ingredient isn’t readily available at stores where I live, so my second choice is shortening.  I have used oil in the past, but I find that the coating dries a little softer when oil is used.  https://www.countrykitchensa.com/catalog/searchresults.aspx?description=Paramount

Thinning candy coating for cake pops doesn’t have to be complicated.  Once you know how the brand of candy melts you’re using melts, you’ll learn when and if you need to thin them.  With a few simple ingredients and the right technique, you can create smooth, beautifully coated cake pops every time.

 

Donna Bradley
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How to Keep Cake Pops from Falling Off the Stick Before Dipping