Project:BonBons
User:Finno first project.
Introduction
| ProjectInfoBox Project:BonBons | |
|---|---|
| |
| Status: | Completed |
| Release Date: | Sep 2023 |
| Initiator: | Adam |
| Materials Used: | See Table |
| Tools Used: | See Table |
| Approx. Cost: | Probably Too Much (See tables) |
This project is more meant for information/ inspiration than a tutorial.
The idea of making 'BonBon' has been in my head for quite some time,( original attempt in 2018 with much simpler equipment.) These were my first attempts with the "proper" equipment and desire to do it again. And they turned out pretty okay.
I also found out they make great gifts, if you have the time to make them. I brought them to a party and they were quite popular.
I didnt do a great job documenting the process, but might take more care in this aspect if I were to make more. The pictures I did take can be found in the Gallery below.
The BonBons
I have no formal training when it comes to anything in the kitchen, and as with most things I want to learn, I turned to Youtube University. There I found any number of tutorials from professional kitchens to follow and figure out.
I ended up making 2 types of BonBons; Darkchocolate with Strawberry Filling, and Milkchocolate with Dark-Orange Filling.
The Recipies for the filling will be listed below, the 'shells' were plain chocolate. The 'design' you may notice in some of the pictures is white chocolate that had been coloured.
Some videos I watched (There was a lot more than these two, but you can find some of your own if you have the interest.);
BonBon Tools/ Materials
| Item
Category |
Item Name | Description | Link
(unafilliated) |
Cost
(At time of purchase) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ingredient | Main Chocolate | 400g bags of popular chocolate; bundle White, milk &dark | Amazon.de | €26.23 |
| Ingredient | Dark chocolate bars | 70% dark chocolate extra incase needed | REWE | €2.29 per |
| Ingredient | Dark chocolate orange bars | Used for a filling | REWE | €2.49 per |
| Ingredient | Heavy cream | Used for a filling as per reciepie | REWE | €1.09 per |
| Ingredient | Strawberries | Used for a filling as per reciepie | - | |
| Ingredient | Lemon juice | Used for a filling as per reciepie | REWE | €1.99 |
| Ingredient | Sugar | Used for a filling as per reciepie | REWE | €1.49 |
| Ingredient | Potato Flower | Used for a filling as per reciepie | - | |
| Tool | BonBon Mold | As named - Maybe better to get one from a Restaurant supplies store rather than amazon, although this one worked fine | Amazon.de | €19.99 |
| Tool | Stainless Steel Scraper/ Spatula | As named; Can also use a large "Pallette knife" instead | Amazon.de | €10.62 |
| Tool | Infrared thermometer | Useful to get an accurate surface temp' and not need to clean the probe each time | Amazon.de | €19.89 |
| Tool | Disposable Piping bags | 100 pack. Re-usable could be substituted but take a long time to clean and dry properly, especially when using chocolate | Amazon.de | €15.29 |
| Ingredient | Oil based Food colouring | needs to be oil based to work with cocoa butters and chocolates | Amazon.de | €21.99 |
| Tool | Cotton balls/ Pads | for 'polishing' the molds before use after cleaning | Amazon.de | €1.65 |
| Tool | Baking paper | useful to keep worksurfaces clean, and to be able to catch excess chocolate for re-use | - | |
| Tool | Heatproof Bowls | As named | - | |
| Tool | Spatula | As named | - | |
| Tool | Scissors | As named | - | |
| Tool | Microwave | As named | - | |
| Tool | Fridge/ Freezer | As named, *WARNING* condensation in Chocolates can cause bad things to grow inside the bonbon. | - | |
| Tool | Tall glass | hold pipng bag to make it easier to fill | - | |
| Tool | Bag clips | to close the end of the piping bags | - |
The Boxes
Making the boxes is somehting that came a little more naturally to me. Even with some planning, there is still room for improvements having made two versions of the box. The most important thing for me with the boxes was to add a level of luxury (that I was sure would'nt be found in my plain looking bonbon) because I was planning to give them as gifts. This luxury was achieved by using some nice foiled cardboard and being careful to make clean cuts.
The "nd version of the box with a flip & tuck in lid, was better than the sliding box as it was stronger. The improvements that can be made to this box; Make it a little larger (was minimally too small to fit 3 bonbon side by side) and to change the orientation of the 'tuck-tabs' on the lid so that it closes easier. See images in gallery for reference.
Boxes Tools/ Materials
| Item
Category |
Item | Description | Link | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tool | Cutting Mat | As Named | - | - |
| Tool | Scalpel/ blades | As Named | - | - |
| Tool | Metla Ruler | As Named | - | - |
| Tool | Pencil | As Named | - | - |
| Material | Glue/ Stick tape | A double stick 'tape' dispenser, similar to a tippex roller | - | - |
| Material | Card | Various Patterned Card Stock | IDEE | €6.57 |
| Material | Acetate | Clear plastic/ Acetate | IDEE | €5.29 |
The Gallery
Finshed BonBon box. Version Slide
Open Slide Box
Dark Chocolate Shell Filled with homemade strawberry jam
Strawberry/ darkchoc BonBon cut in half
Milk Chocolate Shells
Sealed shells after being filled with Chocolate orange ganache
Purchased supplies, others were in the house already.
box planning
Box Supplies
Net of the 2nd box
The tab that could be improved by flipping the curve 90', so it closes nicely
folded up 2nd version of box
Simpler Equipment
You dont have to spen as much money as I did, to make something that is almost as good. (see original attempt photos) To make these, I used cheap baking choclate and ice-cube molds we had at the house already. The method, seen in the videos, is then pretty much the same.
The important thing is to have fun, and not stress too much because you are learning. Yes you (I, me) have invested in it, but it is still supposed to be fun.
