Edible Chocolate Dessert Bowls: How to Make and Fill Them

How to make chocolate dessert bowls with only two ingredients. This easy dessert recipe is perfect for ice cream sundaes, mousse, or fresh fruit.

Summer is almost here and we love kicking off the season with an ice cream sundae party. I experimented with a couple of simple techniques for making chocolate bowls that are sturdy enough to hold ice cream and fun to decorate.

I used a round mold similar to the one I used for hot cocoa bombs to make these festive bowls. Below you’ll find two easy mold methods, helpful tips, and a step-by-step recipe so you can make your own chocolate dessert bowls at home.

Ingredients to make chocolate dessert bowls

• Chocolate (melting or couverture)
• Sprinkles
• Chocolate bowl mold (silicone or plastic)

How to make chocolate bowls (video tutorial)

1. Melt the chocolate in short bursts in the microwave or over a double boiler, stirring until smooth.
2. Coat the inside of your mold with chocolate.
3. Chill in the refrigerator until firm.
4. Carefully remove the chocolate bowl from the mold.
5. Dip the rim in melted chocolate and press into sprinkles to decorate.
6. Fill the chocolate bowl with ice cream, mousse, pudding, or fresh fruit.

Tips for using a silicone mold to make chocolate dessert bowls

• Temper the chocolate: cooling it slightly after melting helps it set with a firmer finish and reduces sliding inside the mold.
• Build up the edges: after the first chill, add another thin layer of chocolate around the rim so the bowl edges are thicker and easier to decorate.
• Work in a cool kitchen and move quickly to avoid melting while decorating.
• When dipping the rim, use tempered chocolate that isn’t too hot. Dip, shake off excess, then press into sprinkles and hold for 15–20 seconds so they adhere before chilling.

Plastic chocolate bowl mold method

Plastic molds can be found in craft and candy-making sections. They take a little more care than silicone, but you can get excellent results with a steady hand.

• Fill each cavity about three-quarters full with melted chocolate.
• Tap the mold gently to release air bubbles.
• Place the top half of the mold on and snap it closed so the chocolate fills the remainder of the cavity.
• Chill in the refrigerator until firm, about 15 minutes.
• Flip the mold and release the cups carefully. Trim any excess chocolate.
• If a bowl cracks during release, remelt the chocolate and try again or reinforce thin spots with extra melted chocolate before re-chilling.

What can you put in chocolate bowls?

• Ice cream
• Mousse
• Pudding
• Fresh fruit

Quick recipe: Chocolate Bowls

Ingredients

• 2 cups chocolate, chopped or in chips
• 1 cup sprinkles

Instructions

1. Melt the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals or over a double boiler, stirring until fully melted. Remove from heat and temper if possible.
2. Pour about 2 tablespoons of melted chocolate into each silicone mold cavity. Use a spatula or silicone brush to spread chocolate up the sides to form an even shell.
3. Refrigerate for 15 minutes or until firm.
4. If needed, warm remaining chocolate and add another thin layer around the edges for extra strength. Chill again to set.
5. Carefully pop the chocolate bowls out of the silicone mold.
6. Melt leftover chocolate in a shallow dish and let it cool slightly so it’s not too hot for dipping.
7. Quickly dip the rim of each bowl into the melted chocolate, shake off excess, then press into a bowl of sprinkles. Hold for 15–20 seconds so the sprinkles adhere, then refrigerate until ready to use.
8. Fill each chocolate bowl with a scoop of ice cream and your favorite toppings, or use for mousse, pudding, or fruit.

Notes

• Tempering improves shine and snap, but if you skip it, chill the chocolate fully between layers to build structure.
• Keep bowls chilled until serving so they don’t soften when filled with cold ice cream.

More easy dessert ideas

• Three-ingredient OREO balls
• Banana pudding
• Cheesecake bars

If you try this recipe, fill your bowls with your favorite ice cream and toppings for a memorable summer treat. Enjoy!