Melting chocolate in a microwave or on a stove is not as intimidating as it seems.

Melting chocolate is a basic skill that every cook should have in their arsenal.

This technique is great when you want to cook or melt something gradually and gently.

chocolate and butter in a clear glass bowl set over a saucepan

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If you microwave on full power, yourisk heating the chocolate too quickly, resulting in a burnt lump.

Another critical component to this technique is stirring the chocolate every 30 seconds to help it melt evenly.

Sincewhite chocolatedoes not contain any cocoa solids, it can be more finicky than dark chocolate.

Flourless Chocolate-Orange Cake

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Here are a few of our favorite recipes that use melted chocolate: