How to Melt White Chocolate Chips: 6 Best Methods (2023)

Do you need to drip, drizzle, dip, or decorate with white chocolate? Then learn how to melt white chocolate chips so they are silky-smooth and ready for your best recipes.

Tired of your white chocolate chips clumping or burning when you melt them? Then let me teach you how to melt white chocolate chips the right way.

The easiest way to melt white chocolate chips is to heat them in the microwave oven. Heat them at 50% power for 1 minute. Stir and heat again in 10 second intervals, if necessary. Stir after each interval.

Want to go beyond the microwave? Although the microwave is the easiest method, you have other choices when it comes to melting white chocolate chips.

How do you melt them? There are 6 different ways to melt white chocolate chips.

• Microwave
• Double boiler or DIY double boiler
• Pan on stove
• Slow cooker
• In hot cream (or milk)
• In melted butter

Each method is different. It is easy to choose the best way to melt white chocolate chips when you know how you will use the melted chocolate.

In this article, you will learn how to melt white chocolate chips with the equipment you have. You will learn what to be aware of and how to fix common problems. With that information, you can decide which melting method is best for your needs.

White chocolate melts faster than dark chocolate or milk chocolate because it has a lower melting point. It starts to melt between 82 and 84° F. You must keep an eye on it to prevent scorching.

You may also be interested in how to melt regular chocolate chips in the microwave or on the stove for other chocolate tips.

Use the Microwave for Greatest Chance of Success

What is the easiest way to melt white chocolate? The microwave is the quickest and easiest way to melt white chocolate chips. It is a speedy, convenient, and low-risk way to melt white chocolate.

What you need:

• Microwave with turntable. You must have access to a microwave if you plan to melt chocolate chips in the microwave. Obviously. What may not be obvious though is the importance of a microwave turntable.
  A turntable rotates the bowl of chocolate chips as it melts. The rotation helps melt the chocolate chips evenly. Rotating helps reduce “hot” and “cold” spots in the microwave. And it helps prevent scorched chocolate.
• Microwave-safe bowl. Glass, ceramic, and silicone heatproof bowls are safe to use in the microwave. Always look for a microwave safe label on the bottom of the bowl.
  If the edges of the bowl have a rim or handles, all the better. A bowl rim is cooler than the rest of the bowl.
  Never put a plastic bowl in the microwave. Most plastic bowls have phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA). These chemicals are hormone disrupters and unsafe. Microwaving plastic can leach these chemicals into food.
• Spatula or whisk. With a silicone or rubber spatula scrape the bottom of the bowl to mix all the melting chocolate chips together.
  Never use a wooden spoon. Wood can retain moisture and moisture is bad for melting chocolate. Even a few drops of water can cause the chocolate to “seize”, which means the chocolate begins to get lumpy and grainy. Wooden spoons can also absorb and transfer odor.
  Also, avoid plastic spoons or spatulas because chemicals can leach into the food.
• White Chocolate chips. Melt any amount of chocolate chips, up to two cups. If you have more than two cups, melt the chocolate chips in batches.

Directions:

1. Pour 1 or 2 cups of white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl.
2. Turn the microwave power to 50% and microwave the white chocolate chips uncovered for 1 minute.
3. Remove the bowl. Stir with a spatula. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl.
4. If there are still unmelted white chocolate chips, microwave at 50% power for 10 second intervals. Stir in between each interval.
5. When the white chocolate chips are about 85-90% melted, remove the bowl from the microwave. The residual heat will continue to melt the chocolate chips. Keep stirring until all the white chocolate chips are melted.

Double-Boiler Method: Pros and Cons

Many bakers prefer melting white chocolate chips with a double boiler.

Pros: The chocolate chips melt over low heat. When you stir continually, the chocolate melts evenly, creating a smooth texture.

Cons: Be aware that melting with the double boiler is hands-on. You cannot walk away. White chocolate chips are high maintenance. One second they look solid. The next second they have melted. Be cautious of keeping them over heat too long.

There is one more pitfall to watch out for. If the water in the double boiler begins to boil and steam escapes into the chocolate chips, you may have trouble. When even small amounts of liquid get into chocolate chips, they “seize”.

What is seized chocolate? Seized chocolate stops melting and gets grainy, lumpy, and hard. It will no longer melt, even when kept on heat. So watch out for those water droplets.

What you need:

• Stove. Gas, electric, or induction burners will work.
• Double boiler. A double boiler (also known as a bain marie) consists of two stacked pots. The larger of the two pots has hot or boiling water in it. A smaller pot nestles inside the larger pot. The smaller pot holds the food to be heated. The heat and steam from the larger pot cooks the food in the smaller pot.
  This is an indirect heating method. Indirect heating is ideal to heat delicate food, like white chocolate chips.

• Spatula or whisk. A silicone or rubber spatula can scrape the bottom of the bowl and mix all the melting chocolate chips together.
• White Chocolate chips.

Directions:

1. Pour 2 inches of water into the large pot.
2. Heat the water until it is hot, but not boiling. Boiling water releases steam. If there is steam, there is a chance for those water droplets to get into the chocolate chips. Water in chocolate chips = lumpy, seized chocolate.
3. Place 1 to 2 cups of white chocolate chips in the smaller pot.
4. Put the small pot on top of a double boiler with the hot water.
5. Let the chocolate chips heat for 2 to 4 minutes. When they begin to melt, stir with a spatula.
6. Continue to stir until 85 to 90% of the white chocolate chips have melted.
7. Remove the double boiler from the heat.
8. Continue to stir until all the white chocolate chips have melted.

How to Make a DIY Double Boiler

You can still use indirect heat to melt the white chocolate chips even if you do not have a double boiler. Easily make your own double boiler.

What you need:

• Large pot
• Glass bowl or metal bowl that can fits snugly over the large pot, but will not touch the bottom of the pan
• Spatula or whisk
• White chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Pour 2 inches of water into the large pot.
2. Heat the water until it is hot, but not boiling.
3. Place the chocolate chips in the heatproof bowl, like a glass or metal mixing bowl.
4. Place the mixing bowl over the pot of hot water.
5. Let the chocolate chips heat for 2 to 4 minutes. When they begin to melt, stir with a spatula.
6. Continue to stir until 85 to 90% of the white chocolate chips have melted.
7. Remove the pan from the heat.
8. Continue to stir until all the white chocolate chips have melted.

How to Melt White Chocolate Chips On the Stove

Melting white chocolate chips with indirect heat is very effective. But if you do not want to use the double boiler method, try a pan on the stove.

When you heat white chocolate chips in a pan on the stove, be careful. It is easy to burn the chocolate chips. Never walk away from the pan. Keep a close eye on it the whole time.

What you need:

• A burner (electric, gas, induction, or standalone burner)
• Small heavy-duty pan
• Spatula or whisk
• White chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Turn the burner on to the lowest heat possible.
2. Pour the white chocolate chips in the pan and place the pan on the burner.
3. Stir with the spatula or whisk. Keep a close eye on the chocolate chips because they can burn easily.
4. When the white chocolate chips are 85 to 90% melted, remove the pan from the burner. Continue stirring until all the chocolate chips are melted.
5. If necessary, thin the melted chocolate, with a little coconut oil, shortening, or vegetable oil.

Best Way to Melt White Chocolate Chips in a Slow Cooker

A slow cooker uses the water bath method to melt the chips. It is a slow, but hands-off way to melt chocolate. It can take 30 minutes to an hour, depending on your slow cooker.

The one thing to be aware of is water in the chocolate. If any water gets in the chocolate, it will seize. You do not want hard, grainy chocolate. You are after smooth and silky.

What you need:

• Slow cooker
• Mason jars or other heat-proof bowl. They need to be tall enough to avoid accidental water drops in the chocolate chips. And they need to have a wide enough mouth for stirring.
• Long-handled spoon to stir
• White chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Place the white chocolate chips in a mason jar.
2. Place the mason jars into the slow cooker. Space them out so they have plenty of room.
3. Add 2 to 3 inches of water. The water level should reach about halfway up the mason jar.
4. Turn the slow cooker onto high. Cook uncovered, without the slow cooker lid for 30 minutes.
5. Stir the chocolate. Continue cooking uncovered for another 15 minutes, if necessary.

Melt White Chocolate Chips in Hot Cream or Milk

You can melt white chocolate into a dairy liquid, like milk, cream, or half and half. Melting chocolate chips into cream is the first step to make white chocolate ganache.

Use 1 part chocolate to 2 parts cream.

What you need:

• Milk or cream
• Pan or microwave-safe container to heat the liquid
• Small to medium mixing bowl
• Plate that can cover the mixing bowl like a lid
• Heat-proof spoon
• White chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Heat the milk or cream until it is steamy but not boiling. Microwave or heat on the stove. Either method works.
2. Pour the white chocolate chips into the mixing bowl.
3. When the liquid is steamy, pour it over the white chocolate chips.
4. Cover the bowl with the plate to keep the heat in. Leave it covered for 5 minutes.
5. After 5 minutes, remove the plate lid and whisk the cream and melted morsels until smooth and creamy.

Melt White Chocolate Chips with Butter

Many chocolatiers say that cocoa butter is the only fat that will mix with chocolate. The melted chocolate butter mixture may not be smooth, but it is the beginning of some tasty recipes.

Blondie brownies is one recipe that starts with white chocolate chips melted with butter. Melt white chocolate chips and butter together directly in a pan on the stove or in the microwave. You could also use the double boiler method.

What you need:

• Pan, microwave safe bowl, or double boiler
• Spatula or whisk
• Unsalted butter
• White chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Add the butter and the chocolate chips to the pan or bowl.
2. Heat over low heat on the stove or at 50% power in the microwave.
3. When the butter and chocolate chips begin to melt, stir with a spatula.
4. Continue to stir until all the white chocolate chips have melted and the butter chocolate chips mixture is smooth.

How to Melt White Chocolate Chips for Strawberries

The best way to melt white chocolate chips for strawberries is to use a microwave. If you have real white chocolate chips, melt them and dip the strawberries.

If you have white morsels or white chips, they are not real white chocolate. The microwave is still the best way to melt them. But you may need to add shortening or coconut oil to make it smooth and easy to dip strawberries into.

Not sure if your chocolate is real white chocolate? Check the label. If it is real white chocolate, cocoa butter will be an ingredient. It will not contain oils.

If it is not real white chocolate, it will not have cocoa butter in it. Instead it may contain palm oil or some other oil.

Directions to Melt Real White Chocolate Chips for Strawberries

1. Pour 1 or 2 cups of white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl.
2. Turn the microwave power to 50% and place the chocolate chips in the microwave.
3. Microwave the white chocolate chips uncovered for 1 minute.
4. Remove the bowl. Stir with a spatula. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl.
5. If there are still unmelted white chocolate chips, microwave at 50% power for 10-second intervals. Stir in between each interval.
6. When the white chocolate chips are about 85-90% melted, removed the bowl from the microwave. The residual heat will continue to melt the chocolate chips. Keep stirring until all the white chocolate chips are melted.
7. Dip a cold, dry strawberry into the melted white chocolate. Shake gently to remove excess chocolate.
8. Place on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet to dry.
9. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Directions to Melt White Morsels for Strawberries

1. Pour 1 or 2 cups of white baking morsels in a microwave-safe bowl.
2. Turn the microwave power to 50% and place the chocolate chips in the microwave.
3. Microwave the morsels uncovered for 1 minute.
4. Remove the bowl. Add ¼ teaspoon of coconut oil or shortening. Stir with a spatula. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl.
5. If there are still unmelted morsels, microwave at 50% power for 10 second intervals. Stir in between each interval.
6. When the white morsels are about 85-90% melted, removed the bowl from the microwave. The residual heat will continue to melt them. Keep stirring until all the morsels are melted.
7. If the melted morsels appear too thick for dipping, add another ¼ teaspoon of coconut oil or shortening. Stir until smooth. Never add more than 1 tablespoon per cup of white morsels.
8. Dip a cold, dry strawberry into the white melted morsels. Shake gently to remove excess candy coating.
9. Place on a wax paper or parchment paper-lined baking sheet to dry.
10. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Why Did My Chocolate Get Hard When Melting?

The main reason why chocolate chips do not melt is because a little moisture got into the chocolate.

If your chocolate chips are not melting in the microwave oven, but are getting hard and grainy instead, your chocolate is seizing.

Chocolate seizes when a little bit of water gets into the chocolate chips as they melt. This could happen if your bowl was slightly wet when you added the chocolate chips.

Or if you stirred the chocolate chips with a wooden spoon, the chocolate may seize. Wooden spoons retain moisture, which may transfer to the chocolate causing it to seize.

Finally, if you covered the chocolate chips when you microwaved them, moisture could have leaked into the bowl. This last scenario is most common when melting chocolate chips in a double boiler on the stove.

Can You Fix Seized White Chocolate?

If your chocolate has seized, you may be able to fix it.

To fix seized chocolate, add 3 tablespoons of warm water for every 6 ounces (1 cup) of chocolate chips. This may seem counterintuitive since drops of water were what caused the problem in the first place.

But it does work. Make sure the water is warm and you add the right amount.

Heat in the microwave on medium heat (50% power level) for 15-second intervals. Between each interval, whisk with a wire whip. Wire whips work better than spatulas in restoring seized chocolate.

How to Use Melted White Chocolate

Use melted white chocolate in your favorite desserts, as a dip, and or to decorate baked goods. Check out these ideas.

• White chocolate dipped strawberries
• White chocolate ganache
• Blondie brownies
• White chocolate sauce
• Fondue
• White Chocolate Chex Mix. Chow down on the best Christmas Chex mix recipe with M&M’s, pretzels, peanuts, and white chocolate. Get sweet, salty, and crunchy in every bite.
• White Chocolate covered Oreos
• Dip cake pops, cookies or fruit
• Frosting
• White hot chocolate

Sometimes it is better to use candy melts to decorate. Check out candy melts vs white chocolate to learn more. Or try almond bark instead of white chocolate.

You can also compare white vs. milk chocolate or dark vs. white chocolate.

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How to Melt White Chocolate Chips

Do you need to drip, drizzle, dip, or decorate with white chocolate? Then learn how to melt white chocolate chips so they are silky-smooth and ready for your best recipes.

Ingredients

• 1 cup white chocolate chips

Instructions

Microwave Method

1. POUR 1 or 2 cups of white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl.
2. POWER the microwave to 50% and place the chocolate chips in the microwave.
3. MICROWAVE the white chocolate chips uncovered for 1 minute.
4. REMOVE the bowl. Stir with a spatula. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl. If there are still unmelted white chocolate chips, microwave at 50% power for 10-second intervals.
5. STIR in between each interval.
6. REMOVE the bowl from the microwave when the white chocolate chips are about 85-90% melted. The residual heat will continue to melt the chocolate chips. Keep stirring until all the white chocolate chips are melted.

Double Boiler Method

1. POUR 1 to 2 inches of water in a large pot.
2. HEAT the water until it is hot, but not boiling. Boiling water releases steam. If there is steam, there is a chance for those water droplets to get into the chocolate chips. Water in chocolate chips = lumpy, seized chocolate.
3. PLACE 1 to 2 cups of white chocolate chips in the smaller pot.
4. PUT the small pot on top of a double boiler containing the hot water.
5. HEAT the chocolate chips for 2 to 4 minutes. When they begin to melt, stir with a spatula.
6. STIR until 85 to 90% of the white chocolate chips have melted.
7. REMOVE the double boiler from the heat.
8. CONTINUE TO STIR until all the white chocolate chips have melted.

Stove Method

1. TURN the burner on to the lowest heat possible.
2. POUR the white chocolate chips in the pan and place the pan on the burner.
3. STIR with the spatula or whisk. Keep a close eye on the chocolate chips because they can burn easily.
4. REMOVE THE PAN from the burner when the white chocolate chips are 85 to 90% melted. Continue stirring until all the chocolate chips are melted.
5. TO THIN the melted chocolate, add a little vegetable oil, coconut oil or shortening.

Slow Cooker Method

1. POUR the white chocolate chips in a mason jar.
2. PLACE the mason jars into the slow cooker. Space them out so they have plenty of room.
3. ADD 2 to 3 inches of water. The water level should reach about halfway up the mason jar.
4. TURN the slow cooker onto high. Cook uncovered, without the slow cooker lid for 30 minutes.
5. STIR the chocolate. Continue cooking uncovered for another 15 minutes, if necessary.

Hot Cream Method

1. HEAT the milk or cream until it is steamy and almost boiling. Microwave or heat on the stove. Either method works. Use 1 part chocolate to 2 parts cream.
2. PLACE the white chocolate chips into the mixing bowl.
3. When the liquid is steamy, POUR it over the white chocolate chips.
4. COVER the bowl with the plate to keep the heat in. Leave it covered for 5 minutes.
5. After 5 minutes, REMOVE the plate lid.
6. WHISK the cream and melted morsels until smooth and creamy.

Melted Butter Method

1. ADD the butter and the chocolate chips to the pan or bowl.
2. HEAT over low heat on the stove or at 50% power in the microwave.
3. STIR with a spatula when the butter and chocolate chips begin to melt.
4. CONTINUE TO STIR until all the white chocolate chips have melted and the butter chocolate chips mixture is smooth.

Notes

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