Limited Edition Collector Blades
How to Chop Chocolate (Bars and Blocks)
How do you chop chocolate? Put the bar on a dry cutting board, start at one corner and cut down through it in thin diagonal slices, letting shards fall away; then rock across the pile until the pieces are even. A serrated knife is the easiest tool because the teeth grab and shave hard chocolate instead of cracking it into chunks. The Dalstrong Valhalla Series 8" Bread Knife ($189) has a serrated 9CR18MOV blade at 58+ HRC that shaves a thick block cleanly. A chef's knife ($79) works well for finishing.
Serrated vs chef's knife
| Knife | Best for |
|---|---|
| Serrated bread knife | Thick bars and blocks, fine shavings that melt evenly |
| Chef's knife | Thin bars, chunks for cookies, rocking to fine pieces |
Step by step
- Use a dry board and knife. Water can make melted chocolate seize.
- Work from a corner. Corners shave easily; flat edges tend to shatter.
- Slice thin diagonal shavings, rotating the bar to keep a corner exposed.
- Rock through the pile with a chef's knife for even pieces.
- Use a bench scraper to move the chocolate; your warm hands start to melt it.
What size do you need?
| Use | Size |
|---|---|
| Melting, ganache, tempering | Fine and even, so it melts at one rate |
| Cookies | Rough chunks, ½ inch |
| Garnish | Shavings from the serrated knife |
Tips
- Room-temperature chocolate shaves better than cold; very warm chocolate gets smeary.
- For ganache, pour hot cream over finely chopped chocolate and let it sit a minute before stirring.
- Wipe the blade between batches of dark and white chocolate.
Our picks
Bread Knife 8", SUPERMAN™ Edition ($149). Spec sheet: German X50CrMoV15, serrated 8" blade, officially licensed DC Superman artwork.
Bread Knife 8", Valhalla Series ($189). Spec sheet: 5-layer 9CR18MOV stainless, 58+ HRC, serrated 8" blade, resin and burl wood handle, leather sheath.
Chef's Knife 8", Gladiator Series, ELITE, NSF Certified ($79). Spec sheet: German X50CrMoV15 steel, 54–56 HRC, 16–18° edge, NSF certified.
Related: best bread knife.
Hone before you start with a ceramic honing rod ($79). More: knife safety tips.
FAQ
How do you chop chocolate?
Shave thin diagonal slices from a corner with a serrated knife, then rock through the pile until even. The Dalstrong Valhalla Series 8" Bread Knife ($189) shaves thick blocks cleanly.
What knife is best for chopping chocolate?
A serrated bread knife for thick bars; a chef's knife for thin bars and finishing.
Why chop chocolate finely for melting?
Even, small pieces melt at the same rate and are less likely to scorch.
Can you chop chocolate in a food processor?
Yes, but it can warm and clump. Pulse briefly.
