Good melting chocolate at a bargain?

[TinkOhio]

I recently found the chocolate-covered pretzel thread and decided to make them this Christmas. Does anyone know of a good deal on better melting chocolate? I don't like waxy chocolate, so any recommendations for better chocolate at a nice price would be greatly appreciated!

 

[AllesonWonderland]

Do you have a Sam's membership? I haven't done the price comparison yet, but I did see they had the Ghiardelli (sp?) coating kits in the baking section now.

 

[shelly3girls]

I always use the chocolate at AC Moore to make my gifts. It is very easy to work with and it tastes good. I get it on sale for less than $2 a bag. When I make gifts I go through over 10lbs of chocolate so cost is a big factor.

 

[TinkOhio]

Thanks for the tips! We do have a Sam's membership, but there aren't any AC Mooer stores in our area. Hope this works out okay...it looks fun!

 

[happily single]

I just bought 3 bags of Wilton (?) melting chocolate at MIchael's Crafts for $1.29 a bag. Plus 20% off!

 

[patsal]

Usually the melting coating from the craft stores are not really chocolate--often says "chocolike" on the bag. I use the milk chocolate chips from the supermarket usually ghieradelli (SP?). I used the milk chocolate chips from aldi for Thanksgiving when I made Turkey truffles--not made with turkey! lol and for chocolate dipped pretzel rods. covered in crushed reeses pieces (the colors are very fall). I had very good luck with it and will purchase more since it is drastically less expensive than other brands.

 

[DVCBELLE]

I literally just finished making chocolate covered marshmallows and I used Bakers dipping chocolate. It comes in a little container - about the size of the chef boy r dee containers and you put it in the microwave to melt it. It cost 2.50 and I got one a Meijer and just ran to walgreens and got another one. The chocolate tasted awesome and the clean up was so easy!

 

[Misty89]

see if you have any wholesale bakery suppliers around you.
I buy Guittard melting chips $42.50 for 25 lbs ($1.70lb)
i found them by looking online.
and, yes - i do use that much.

 

[livndisney]

To those of you melting chocolate, can you recommend a "dairy free" product? Do the products you are using even have labels with the ingredients?

 

[momxx5]

I melt regular semi-sweet chocolate chips in the mircrowave. I set it to melt on a low temp for a short time and them stir to continue to melt.

I have used this method for pretzels, my Christmas mix, and chocolate covered strawberries. Not crisco or anything added. Just basic chocolate chips.
Quick and easy.
How that helps.

 

[Free4Life11]

I get the blocks of almond bark from Walmart. They have white and regular chocolate. I believe it's about $2 for a 1.5 pound bar.