How To Melt White Chocolate In The Slow Cooker

Like Mariah Carey's vocal range, melted white chocolate is super-versatile and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Use it as a quick coating on truffles and cake pops, drizzle it over your morning pancakes, whip it into frostings, or turn it into a dip for a fresh fruit mezze — it works with almost anything.

White chocolate can be melted quickly in the microwave, but you'll have to keep stopping it every few seconds to check that it hasn't burned. A traditional double boiler or bain-marie works well, but again you'll need to be vigilant, standing by the stove and stirring constantly. If none of these options are available and you're stuck on what to do, try using your trusty slow cooker.

That's right — this device can do far more than prepare unctuous winter casseroles and fall-off-the-bone barbecue ribs. A slow cooker melt is far better for guaranteeing a silky, smooth finish that makes for a delicious medium for dipping, swirling over cakes, or spooning into a mug of hot milk. And unlike the other methods, this one's slow enough to allow you to putter around the kitchen while the chocolate reaches the temperature and consistency you're looking for. And if you're melting it to dip items in, you don't have to stress about a bubbling heat source or worry about quick cooling — simply dip in your pretzels, strawberries, and marshmallows and set them aside to cool.

First, break the chocolate into small pieces and pile it in a heatproof dish before placing it in the slow cooker. Next, pour water into the cooker's crock until it reaches halfway up the dish. Do this carefully to avoid getting any into the chocolate, as even the smallest amount can lead to it prematurely seizing up. Then, turn the slow cooker on high without putting the lid on (remember you don't want any steam to condense on the lid and fall back into the bowl). Once the chocolate begins to melt around the sides, give it a mix to incorporate any chunks and stir it regularly until thoroughly melted.

Depending on your model, melting white chocolate with a slow cooker can take anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes. Although this is far longer than microwaving or using a double boiler, you only get one shot not to burn your batch. If your white chocolate does seize from a long period of heating, don't be too disheartened. You can bring it back to life by adding a teaspoon of coconut oil and giving everything a good stir until it's fully incorporated. And though, given our warnings, it sounds counterintuitive, a touch of hot water can work as well; just be sure to add it slowly and mix well.