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Why didn't the chocolate on my chocolate-dipped shortbread harden?
The recipe called for simply melting bittersweet chocolate with about a tablespoon of vegetable oil. The chocolate coating was too thick and didn't harden effectively until I put it in the fridge for a bit. Then it wasn't very stable or attractive when the cookies sat at room temperature for a couple of days.
I do not like to use chocolate chips for dipping candies or cookies for just the reason you mentioned. Not sure if you melted over a double boiler or microwave? most microwaves these days are too powerful to slowly melt the chocolate and actually just cook it! You will get a better result if you melt it slowly over simmering water and use a good quality chocolate product. I swear by the ghiradelli candy dipping bar (available in a 2.5 lb size at Sam's club)--glossy look, shelf stable. I have posted a picture of my maple cream buckeyes using their product, http://www.food52.com/recipes...
As lorigoldsby explains, you'll be much better off if you use a true dipping chocolate for, well, dipping. The quantity and quality of its fats are very different and suited for dipping, then setting up at room temperature.
I've found that if you can't find dipping chocolate, a little vegetable shortening works better than oil because it's solid at room temperature.
