I am making somewhat of a chocolate plaque for a wedding cake and I need 70 bags of the wilton candy melts and I was wondering if any of you know of the same type of chocolate that will work the same but that might be a little cheaper. Any help would be greatly appreciated I'm trying to cut down the costs on this as much as I can.

Kristin

70 bags?!?! Do you mean 7? You could see if almond bark would be cheaper. It is a confectionary coating (around here does not contain almonds)

Make and Mold also sells candy melts. They are a bit cheaper than Wilton. I can find them at ACMoore. Michaels does not carry them because Michaels only carries Wilton brand (I think).

~Chelle

Make N Mold is a little cheaper, but Michael's has it's candy melts on sale sometimes for $1.79 a bag. That's as cheap as I've ever seen them. If you don't have time to wait for a sale, get them at Wal-Mart, they are alot cheaper there.

Maybe try searching on the internet for on-line stores that have great prices. I see threads talking of online cake/candy/cookie supplies all the time.

Actually, they are on sale this week for $1.99 bag, I think they're usually around $2.50.

Check around at your local "country kitchen" stores. We have a store here called "The Country Cuppard" and they carry all sort of candy melts for a very reasonable price. They are much cheaper than the Wilton melts.

Does anyone have the web address for ACMoore and all the other places you are talking about? It definitely is 70 bags. I have a lot to make.

www.acmoore.com. You can't buy directly from them but can search and see if they are near you. You can purchase directly from make n mold (www.makenmold.com)

~Chelle

Do you have a bulk buying store near you? We have a 'Bulk Barn' and they have melting wafers on sale a lot. What about buying chocolate by the pound (one of those large wholesale bars) and then temper it? It may end up being cheaper.

My Michael's has the Wilton on sale for $1.59 this week. That's still a lot for 70 bags though!

The iParty store in my area carries 5 lb bags of the Merckens melts. They have white, dark and milk for $13.99 for a 5 lb bag. Saves you a little bit if you can't find a better prices on the Wilton or Make N Mold melts.

I use "almond bark" for all my candy making. It melts nicely. It also comes in chocolate and vanilla. You can buy it at any grocery store fairly cheap, especially if you have a Super Wal-Mart.

You could get a 25lb box of Merkens from Oasis Supply or another supplier. It would still be cheaper-even with shipping.

I'm going to ask a question... the almond bark that everyone seems to talk about to make their candy with.... would I find it in the baking aisle with the chocolate chips? When I hear "almond bark", I think of chocolate patties with almonds in it.

Can anyone describe to me what almond bark is being used in terms of the candy making?

Thanks!

I have to say that Merckens Candy Melts are excellent. Much better than Wilton or almond bark. I was able to get a 1# bag for about $3.50. They store buys it in bulk but sells it by the pound. I only bought a small bag to try it and that bad thing is that store is just over an hour away. Next time I go I will be buying more.

darkchocolate

Thanks you guys, I will try and figure something out. Hopefully I can get them somewhat cheap!

Can you tell me where Merckens candy melts can be bought and do they have a web site??

I usually buy big blocks or chunks of Nestle chocolate at one of my local grocery stores. It is sold by the pound and tastes alot better than the candy melts...A few of the stores around here sell it that way.

but does it harden up very well and stay hard?

I buy candy melts in the bulk aisle as well. We have a couple of local Amish markets, and I can get a pretty big bag for just a few dollars.

I have seen Merckens candy melts in the King Arthur catalog. It is more expensive that what I paid at the local cake store though.

http://www.kingarthurflour.com/shop/detail.jsp?id=1601

This website sells Merckens in bulk quantities. I have never done business with them, I just did a Google search.

http://www.streichs.com/cgi-bin/streichs/search.html

darkchocolate