Transfer Sheets for Decorating Chocolates

Chocolates decorated with transfer sheet designs

Every wonder how those famous chocolatiers get those fabulous edible patterns on their fancy schmancy chocolates?

It’s actually the result of a very simple process using Chocolate Transfer Sheets. Chocolate Transfer Sheets consist of a sheet of thin acetate that is embossed with an edible ink comprised of cocoa butter and powdered food coloring ~ that’s all. The sheets are available in hundreds of patterns: from animal prints and floral designs, to mod geometrics and celebratory text like “Happy New Year”. Transfer sheets can be cut down to fit any chocolate dipped confection, or can be cut and coated with chocolate to wrap around a cake.

Chocolate Transfer Sheets are very easy to use provided that you follow some basic guidelines: 

• Always store in a cool dark place. They’re made from cocoa butter, which melts easily.
• Work in a cool room. Not cozy? Put on a sweater.
• When working with transfer sheets, avoid touching the imprinted side with your hands.
• To apply a transfer sheet, your chocolate must be melted. The pattern will not properly adhere if applied to chocolate that has begun to harden.
• Gently apply the transfer sheet, shiny side up (cocoa butter side down). Use the back of a spoon or flat object to gently tap out any air bubbles.
• After transfer has been applied, give your chocolates some time in the refrigerator (approx. 30 minutes) before removing the acetate.
• Chocolate can also be spread thinly on the cocoa butter side of a transfer sheet and cut into shapes using a knife or cookie cutters before the chocolate completely hardens. These can be used as chocolate decorations or used to wrap the side or top of cakes.
• When purchasing Chocolate Transfer Sheets (aka Cocoa Butter Transfer Sheets), bear in mind that light patterns show up well on dark and milk chocolate, while dark patterns (like the popular marbled pattern) are best reserved for white chocolate. 

Chocolate dipped cookie with
transfer sheet cut and placed on top

Tap out any air bubbles. Let the chocolate
dry before removing the transfer sheet

Finished cookies

Mariebelle's gourmet chocolates use transfer sheets as well as designs that are silk screened on.