Almond Bark Vs Candy Melts Vs Other Dipping Chocolate
Sugar Work By camcat Updated 26 Jan 2015 , 6:42pm by Donnawb
A few years ago, I found blocks of Ghirardelli dipping chocolate at Sam's and Wal Mart. It was the first dipping chocolate I ever used and was scrumptious! I can't find it anymore and I haven't dipped anything lately (until today) because the choices just don't seem very appealing.
Almond Bark seems like a pseudo-chocolate product and candy melts pretty much the same. Maybe it's because they say chocolate flavored, instead of chocolate??? I don't think I'm a chocolate snob...I get my fix any way I can 
I was at a craft store last week and they were sampling the candy melts and molds. They were pretty tasty, just not Ghirardelli good.
So, what is your preference? I live in small town America so my options really are the Almond Bark, Wilton Candy Melts or that other brand that comes in all the cool colors, and chocolate chips from the grocery store.
With all that said, I just made a batch of Nutter Butter Truffles covered in chocolate almond bark and they are pretty tasty. 
The almond bark and candy melts usually have added things, including wax, so that tempering isn't required. Most of them taste OK, especially if the product is wrapped around something else really good.
Real chocolate, tastes better, but most of it requires tempering to prevent bloom (those white streaks on the outside). Bloom doesn't hurt anything, but the appearance isn't nice.
You can order most brands online, but many companies won't ship during the summer months.
I have used all the various kinds for different recipes. The only time I am really picky is for truffles. I only use the best chocolate I can get.
If you have half a chance, order Merckens online. It is not Ghiradelli (sp) but it is very good. If I had a choice, I would choose the candy melts over the bark. The bark is okay to send into kids at school, but for anybody that loves chocolate, it just doesn't cut it. My sister and I have ordered as much as 100 pounds of Merckens at a time. We usually only order in Sept/Oct/Nov so it can be shipped without a problem.
Thanks for your insight. I haven't checked into ordering online, assuming the cost would be prohibitive. I did check out the Ghirardelli site and the dipping chocolate is still available but not given as an option when trying to locate a store that sells it.
I found a recipe for some fantastic homemade marshmallows and wanted to dip them in chocolate for Christmas baskets. I'll keep playing and see what I can come up with. 
I had 1 box left of the dipping choc. from Sams until my brothers wedding this last saturday
they don't have it any more and it worked great, hopeing they'll get it back in stock soon for the holidays!
Keep looking.......I emailed Ghirardelli for a source and this was the reply I got:
Thank you for your inquiry regarding Ghirardelli Chocolate. We appreciate hearing that you enjoyed using our Double Chocolate and White Chocolate Flavor Candy Making and Dipping Bars. The Candy Making Bars are only manufactured one time per year. The whole batch is then sent to the main warehouse for Sam's Club and sold during the Fall baking season. At this time, Sam's club is the only retailer that sells the bars. Look for them at you local Sam's Club.
I might just have to break down and get a Sam's membership or just pay the upcharge for non-members. I actually found the chocolate at my Super WalMart after I had purchased it at Sam's but I haven't seen it since (maybe 4 years ago). I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I really want to dip some homemade marshmallows.
I was at Sams not too long ago and *think* I saw the dipping chocolate. I remember seeing Ghardi-howeveryouspellit!! chocolate there, but don't remember if it was for dipping or not...you might give them a call.
Thanks--I'll call tomorrow. I went online to check the inventory of my nearest store, but it wasn't listed yet. If I call, at least they will know someone is interested and will hopefully stock it.
Your signature always reminds me of my best friend. Her name is Susan and both her SIL are named Susan. Her married name is the same as her husband's sister's maiden name and her brother's wife now has her maiden name. Wow...that made no sense whatsoever. I'll try again with a psuedonym. She used to be Susan A. Her husband's sister was Susan B. When Susan A. got married, she became Susan B. Her brother's new wife (who used to be Susan C.) is now Susan A. Oh well, for some reason, I think it's neat. 
Try Guittards dipping chocolate. They don't add 'wax'. See's Candies uses it and so does Shari's Berries.
Sam's Club does carry the ghirahelli, but it is a seasonal item. I was there yesterday and looked around in the baking aisle for the seasonal items (they usually have some unique things) and found the white and dark chocolate dipping kind. They are in large blocks, and the clerk showed me on the sign that it is a seasonal item and they get it for holiday baking....
I use Merckens when I can get it, but now AC Moore carries a brand of Make N Mold. It is just like Merckens & I use hundreds of pounds each year.
looks like I'll be heading to Sam's soon and buying a bunch of dipping chocolate. I like the taste of the Gharidelli choc. chips but they don't run as smoothly over the candy as their dipping choc. I can't find another brand I'm as satisfied with in stores around here. I love the Gharidelli brand!
AGhirardelli now makes a packaged melting dark chocolate wafer..great taste! If I want a darker looking chocolate I add Hershey special dark cocoa powder to the melted chocolate and it also has a more intense flavor..make truffles and have gotten rave reviews..
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