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What are Candy Melts? (and How to Use Them!)
• Lynsey Macdonald
TL;DR: The Ultimate Guide to Candy Melts What are they? Buttons that melt more easily than real chocolate and require no tempering. Best For: Cake pops, detailed silicone moulds, vibrant drip cakes, and drizzling. Key Tip: Always microwave at a lower power to prevent burning. If the texture is too thick, thin it out with a little vegetable shortening. Dietary: Most are Gluten-Free, but check labels for Dairy (they are rarely Vegan!). Our Favourites: Choose Wilton for detailed moulds, FunCakes for controlling drips, and PME for smooth texture and taste.
When it comes to cake decorating, candy melts are one of the most useful products to add to your kitchen cupboard! You'll find yourself reaching for them so much more often than you expect. But what are candy melts? And how do you use them to get creative with your cakes?
In our ultimate guide, we'll cover everything you need to know to make these handy little buttons a core part of your baking kit. Trust us - you'll never look back!
Shop Candy Melts and Candy Buttons from Wilton, FunCakes and PME now.
Contents:
Are Candy Melts The Same As Chocolate Melts? How Do You Use Candy Melts? Do I Need to Add Anything To Candy Melts? What Can I Make With Candy Melts? Candy Melts FAQs
Are Candy Melts The Same As Chocolate Melts?
Candy melts are similar to chocolate melts - the only difference is what they're made of. Most candy melts don't contain any chocolate as they swap out cocoa butter for vegetable oil, making them a more affordable option.
They melt in the same way as chocolate melts, and you can use them for the same cake decorating tasks. Which one you choose all comes down to flavour. If you want a rich, intense chocolate taste, look for chocolate chips, chunks or callets. But if a less rich but equally sweet taste works for your project, candy melts could be just what you need.
Which should you choose?
- For Flavour: Go with chocolate chips or callets. Nothing beats the rich taste of real cocoa butter.
- For Ease & Colour: Go with candy melts. They are perfect for detailed decorating and offer a sweet, creamy finish without the fuss.
Which Brand of Candy Melts Is Best?
We stock a few different brands, and they each have their own superpowers:
- Wilton: The classic choice. They have the widest variety of colours and are great for detailed mould work.
- FunCakes: These are fantastic for drip cakes! They tend to have a slightly thinner consistency which makes that perfect "drip" easier to control.
- PME: Known for having a great taste and a smooth texture that is easy to work with.
How Do You Use Candy Melts?
One of the best things about candy melts is how easy they are to use:
- Simply pop them into a microwave-safe bowl, a bain-marie or the PME Electric Melting pot and melt them down.
- Stir regularly until smooth.
We have a whole blog post dedicated to how to melt chocolate (and candy melts), which you can head over and read for our top tips.
These products are designed to be easily melted - this is what they're made for, after all! So they melt quickly and easily down into a lovely, smooth consistency.
Once they've fully melted, they are ready to be dripped, dipped, drizzled or used in moulds, levelling up any cakey creation, for any occasion.
Do I Need to Add Anything To Candy Melts?
Generally, you do not need to add anything to candy melts - apart from heat to melt them!
The only two exceptions may be:
To Change the Colour: You can add oil-based food colouring to white melts. (Avoid water-based gels, as they will cause the candy to seize). That said, candy melts are available in such a massive range of colours that you can usually find the exact shade you need without mixing them yourself.
To Thin the Consistency: If your melted candy is too thick for dipping or drizzling, you can add a teaspoon of vegetable shortening to thin it out.
What Can I Make With Candy Melts?
The sky is the limit when using candy melts! Candy melts can be used in so many cake projects, so it's a great opportunity to get creative.
- Create Moulded 3D Treats: Add them to chocolate moulds to create everything from Easter Eggs to hot chocolate bombs, chocolate treats and cake toppers. All you need to do is pop them in the fridge to set, and you're good to go.
- Design Colourful Drip Cakes: You can also use candy melts to create eye-catching drip cakes - why not go for a bold combo of a bright green or blue over a chocolate cake!
- Make Easy Candy Bark: They are also a great option for making chocolate or candy bark! Pour melted candy onto a piece of baking paper, add your choice of sprinkles and sweets and leave it to set in the fridge. Peel off the paper when it has fully set and break up into irregular pieces.
- Dip Cake Pops & Cakesicles: Using them to make cake pops or cakesicles is a popular choice - we love the super cute cakesicles by @queenoftarts.patisserie below!
- Drizzle for a Finishing Touch: Alternatively, you can simply drizzle melted candy over a range of other treats like traybakes, cupcakes or doughnuts for a sweet and colourful finishing touch.
FAQs
What do candy melts taste like?
This all depends on the candy melts you buy. Generally, candy melts are vanilla-flavoured - most of the colourful ones you'll find have a subtle vanilla taste.
However, some brands do offer flavoured candy melts! FunCakes have Green Apple, Raspberry and Toffee options in their deco melts range!
How long does it take to melt candy melts?
To melt them down quickly, use the microwave. Pop a handful in a microwave-safe bowl and melt them in 20-second intervals, stirring in between. A small amount of candy melts should melt completely in about 3 minutes.
If you're using a bain-marie, it will take a little bit longer - more like 8 minutes.
Important Tip: Always set your microwave to 50% power (or Medium). Unlike chocolate, candy melts have a high sugar content that can burn easily if exposed to high heat. Melting them slowly at half-power prevents them from becoming thick, lumpy, or "scorched."
How do you thin candy melts?
If your melted candy is too thick for what you're using it for, try adding a bit of solid white vegetable shortening. Only add a little at a time, stirring and adding more until you've reached the consistency you need!
How long do candy melts take to set?
If you've dripped or drizzled your melted candy, it should set in five to ten minutes in the fridge. However, if you've poured it into a mould to create a shape, or made a thick bar of candy, it can take up to an hour.
Make sure you leave yourself enough time for the candy to set, depending on what you're making! If you need to speed things up a bit, you can always pop it in the freezer.
Top Tip: Once your treats have set, take them out of the fridge immediately. If you leave candy melts in the cold fridge for too long, the humidity can cause them to "sweat," leaving you with a dull or sticky finish rather than a shiny one.
How can I fix seized candy melts?
If your candy melts have seized, immediately remove them from the heat source. Slowly add half a teaspoon of boiling water or shortening at a time, and give it a good whisk. This should help melt down any candy melts that are clumping together, and return it to a smooth consistency.
Are candy melts vegan or dairy-free?
It is important to check the label on your specific brand! While candy melts replace cocoa butter with vegetable oil, many brands (like Wilton) still include milk powder or whey for creaminess, meaning they are not dairy-free or vegan. However, many candy melts are Certified Gluten-Free. Always check the packaging for allergens before you buy if you are baking for someone with dietary restrictions.
How do I store leftover candy melts?
Don’t throw them away! If you have unused wafers, simply clip the bag shut and store them in a cool, dry cupboard. If you have melted candy left over, spread it out on a sheet of parchment paper and let it harden. Once set, break it up and store it in a sandwich bag. You can remelt it next time you need it! Just avoid storing them in the fridge, as the humidity can ruin the texture.
How to decorate cake pops with candy melts
Cake pops are a delicious treat, and so easy to decorate with candy melts!
- Simply stick your cakesicle stick/lollipop stick into your ball of cake.
- Dip into a bowl of melted candy melts.
- Make sure the cake pop is completely covered before pulling it back up.
- Allow any excess to drip back into your bowl.
- Pierce any air bubbles with a toothpick/cocktail stick before adding any decorations like sprinkles, and leaving to set.
You can purchase a cake pop stand to stand them in while they set if this is something you'll make often!
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Ready to Get Creative?
Now that you’re a candy melt expert, it’s time to put that knowledge to the test! Whether you are planning a batch of bright blue cake pops, elegant chocolate hearts, or a neon drip cake, these versatile little buttons are the secret weapon your baking kit needs.
Remember, you don't need to be a professional chocolatier to get professional-looking results. With the right melting method and a splash of colour, the possibilities are endless.
Stock up your baking cupboard today: Browse our full range of candy melts to find your perfect shade.
Don’t forget to follow us for daily cake inspo, tips and tricks on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Pinterest and YouTube. And, as always, be sure to tag us in your own photos - we can’t wait to see what you make with your candy melts.
Looking for more cake decorating tips and advice?
Crumb Coating a Cake for Beginners
