Fun Silicone Candy Molds for Homemade Chocolate Treats
Disclaimer: I received this product for free or at a reduced price in exchange for my honest, unbiased review. All opinions are my own.
I love molding chocolate, and when I first saw these brick-and-figure silicone candy molds, I knew they were going to be fun. Years later, I still have them, they are still usable, and that says quite a bit about how well the silicone has held up.
What I like most about molds like these is that they turn an ordinary batch of candy or chocolate into something playful without requiring a complicated decorating technique. You pour, tap out the bubbles, chill, unmold, and suddenly you have little building-brick shapes and figures that are much more interesting than plain candy pieces.
They are especially fun for birthday parties, family gatherings, holiday treat trays, themed desserts, or anytime you want to make something that gets both kids and adults talking. In a homestead kitchen, I also appreciate that one reusable mold can keep being used for years instead of buying disposable candy forms every time you want to make a themed treat.
These were the first silicone molds I had ever tried, and I was impressed right away by how easy they were to unmold and clean. The chocolate pieces came out almost perfectly. The only real problem I had was a few air bubbles, which left tiny spots where the chocolate did not completely fill the details of the mold.
That is still the main trick I would tell someone to pay attention to today: getting the chocolate down into all those little corners and details matters more than anything else. The molds themselves are flexible enough that unmolding is easy once the candy is fully set.
After years of owning them, I also know something I could not have known in the original review: the molds themselves have lasted. I still have them, they are still flexible, and I can still use them. For a novelty kitchen item, that kind of longevity makes them much more worthwhile to me than something that is fun once and then falls apart or gets tossed in a drawer.
The first step was to wash the molds then make sure they were good and dry. I suggest letting them air dry overnight. Believe me it's a lot easier to let them dry naturally than to try to get in those tiny areas of the mold to manually dry them. Next, melt your chocolate. I used Wilton Candy Melts. They melt easily and taste great plus they come in some really cool colors. You can even get flavored ones. Just pour them in a double boiler and let them melt. I stir mine from time to time and if they are real thick I add a little bit of vegetable oil to thin them down. Just be sure to stir it in real good.
While you are melting the chocolate, lay out the silicone molds. Once the chocolate is melted, spoon it into the molds, then gently bounce the molds on a solid surface to help remove the bubbles that might be in the chocolate. Do this several times before the chocolate begins to cool. You might even want to fill the molds part way, bounce them a little bit and then finish filling them before repeating the process of bouncing the molds. Just don't do it hard enough that the chocolate bounces out of them.
Once the molds are filled with chocolate and you are happy that you have removed as many bubbles as possible, set the molds on a plate or cookie sheet and put them in the freezer for 15 minutes. You do not need to cover them. Be sure to remove them after the 15 minutes is up and unmold the chocolate immediately. It really is that easy.
So what do I think of these silicone candy molds now? I still think they are fun, and the fact that I still have them and can still use them years later is a much better recommendation than anything I could have said when they were brand new.
For food use, molds like these can be used for chocolate, candy, gelatin, fondant, gum paste, ice, and other foods that suit the size and shape of the cavities. They can also be handy for making small portions that are easy to arrange on dessert trays or package as little homemade treats.
I also mentioned craft uses in the original review, including crayons, candles, soap, clay, and similar projects. I would add an important distinction now: if I use a silicone mold for non-food materials, I would retire that mold from food use. Reusable tools are wonderful, but I do not want to move a mold back and forth between candy and soap, wax, clay, or other craft materials.
The original product listing stated that the set was made from food-grade silicone and was suitable for a range of temperatures and appliances. Since this is an old product review, I would verify the current manufacturer's instructions before using any similar mold in an oven, microwave, dishwasher, or at very high temperatures.
More Ways I Would Use These Molds Today
Chocolate is still the obvious choice, but I think the real value of a cute silicone mold is how easily you can change what goes into it.
- Colored candy melts: Easy for bright party colors and themed treat trays.
- Homemade chocolate: A fun way to turn a basic chocolate recipe into individual pieces.
- Layered chocolate: Use contrasting colors or flavors in stages for more detailed pieces.
- Gelatin treats: The small shapes make individual portions more fun.
- Ice cubes: Useful for parties, punch bowls, or just making drinks more interesting.
- Fondant or gum paste pieces: Handy for cake and cupcake decorating when you want a repeatable shape.
For a homestead kitchen, I especially like the idea of using a novelty mold with ingredients you already make or keep on hand. You could use homemade chocolate, add dried fruit or finely chopped nuts where the mold allows, or make small treats for seasonal gatherings without buying a completely different decorating system for every occasion.
Love Growing and Working With Chocolate?
If you enjoy making chocolate treats at home, A Chocolate Lover's Garden takes the adventure all the way back to the plants. Sheri Ann Richerson and Thomas Leo Ogren explore the fascinating plants behind chocolate and other chocolate-inspired garden possibilities.
Why Reusable Silicone Molds Earn Their Space
I have plenty of kitchen tools that seemed exciting when they were new and then turned out not to be worth storing. These have been different because they still work.
They are flexible, they are easy to unmold, and they are reusable. That makes them useful for occasional fun without becoming another single-use party supply. If you enjoy making candy, cake decorations, or themed treats even a few times a year, a durable silicone mold can be worth keeping around.
And these particular molds have passed the long-term test for me: I still own them, and I can still use them.
- A YELLOW color tray that makes 10 Lego or Duplo styled bricks (each measuring 2.5 x 5 x 1.5 cm).
- A BLUE color tray that makes 8 small Lego men (each measuring 4cm in height).
- A GREEN color tray that makes 1 big Lego man (9cm in height) and 4 small Lego men (each measuring 4.5cm in height).
- A RED color tray that makes 7 Lego or Duplo styled bricks (assorted sizes).
- An ORANGE color tray that makes 10 Lego or Duplo styled bricks (assorted sizes).
