The Trick to Homemade Chocolate Bonbons Lies in Your Freezer

Next time you’re craving a box of chocolates, instead of rushing to the store, try reaching for an item you already have in your freezer — an ice cube tray. This is the simplest of sweet hacks and one you’ll love using to make these homemade chocolate bonbons for friends and family.

I remember the first time I saw a chocolatier make bonbons — filling the molds with warm melted chocolate, giving it that perfect swirl, and tipping them over — and then I watched as all of the chocolate dripped out, leaving just enough of a layer to form a shell. It was captivating and I knew I wanted to learn how to make these beautiful creations.

When I went to the store I looked at a variety of chocolate molds from the cheap, thin plastic ones that feel like they’d break the minute you tried to drip anything into them, to the expensive trays that were a little out of my price range, and I thought that there had to be another option. So I turned to Pinterest and discovered a hack that seemed almost foolproof.

An ice cube tray is basically built to make bonbons. Nowadays a lot of ice cube trays are made out of silicone, and they’re sturdy enough to hold up to anything you throw at them. Plus the trays are deep enough for a beginner to learn how to expertly create the right sized shell and fill it up with all sorts of fun treats.

Start by melting chocolate (candy melts are easiest for those who don’t know how to temper chocolate) and pouring it into the ice cube tray, filling it about a third of the way full. Then gently tilt the tray and let the chocolate run up the edges. Don’t worry if it gets a little messy; you can always use a bowl scraper to wipe off any excess.

Let the shell freeze and then fill it with your favorite fillings!

I tried freeze-dried raspberries and mini marshmallows, but there’s always caramel, chocolate ganache, candied nuts…

Then add more chocolate onto the top, filling the trays, and set it back in the freezer one more time to set.

Once they’re hard, you can pop them right out of the tray and decorate them — perhaps with a drizzle of white chocolate.

These DIY chocolates can be served at a bridal shower, girls’ night in, birthday party, or pretty much any occasion that calls for lots and lots of chocolate.

Ever make chocolate treats like these? Photograph your creation and tag us on Instagram!

(Photos via Nicole Iizuka)