Chocolate Buttons
Vintage Button Chocolate molds are back in the shop! And in case you were wondering how to use that fancy, new mold of yours, here is a complete tutorial for making your own sweet little button candies, plus a free print-out you can use to package them up when you’re all done!
(PS: Click here for a printer-friendly instruction sheet without all of the huge photographs!)
Here’s what you will need:
Button Mold
Chocolate or Candy Melts*
Candy flavoring (optional)
Zip-lock or sandwich bags
Microwave safe bowls
Spoons
Scissors
Microwave and freezer
*For this tutorial, I used colorful candy melts because they are super-easy to use and very yummy. Can you use real chocolate? You bet! But keep in mind that real chocolate needs to be tempered so it will set properly and be shiny, hard and smooth. (Tempering isn’t too difficult, but it takes some practice, so we’ll save that tutorial for another day!) Candy melts are a great alternative, and some are much tastier than others – so shop around. I carry Clasen Brand melts in my shop because I think they have a great flavor and texture, lovely range of colors, and a price that’s affordable. Candy melts have a sweet, vanilla flavor, and you can easily add a drop of candy flavoring to jazz things up a little. The chocolate and dark chocolate melts are, well, chocolaty-tasting, of course! And you can absolutely add flavoring to them, too.
OK, let’s get to it, shall we?
Place your candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl. You can melt as little or as many wafers at a time as you like. Since the button molds are very tiny, start with a small handful. Microwave for 20-30 second intervals, stirring between each. Don’t be surprised if nothing happens the first few intervals, it will take some time and you do not want to scorch your chocolate, so go slow.
…not there yet
…almost
Yay! Nice and drizzly. The total microwave time for a small amount like this was about 2 minutes, but all microwaves vary – so you’ll have to figure out what works best for you. To fill the mold: spoon the melted chocolate into a small plastic sandwich or ziplock bag, cut the tip off, and use it to “pipe” the chocolate into the mold.
Don’t worry, the chocolate should not be hot, just warm. You could use a real pastry bag and tip, too, but if you are using several colors, the sandwich bags make clean-up so much easier!
Squeeze gently and try not to over-fill. This is easier said than done, but you’ll get the hang of it.
“But they look all lumpy and gloppy?” you may be thinking. A few firm taps on the counter top should fix that right up. Don’t be shy, tap-away! It will make the backs nice and flat, and get rid of any pesky air bubbles.
Ahh. Much better. I did the other half of the mold with red candy wafers, using the same melting process as before. This time, when the chocolate was all melted, I added a drop of blackberry flavoring oil.
I used a leftover lolly pop stick to add just ONE drop of flavoring, and that was absolutely all it needed! This candy flavoring is no joke, people – it’s concentrated for real. Please go easy, you don’t want to over-do it. And ONLY use oil flavorings made for candy. Never add any water or waterbased colors or flavors to melted chocolate! You will get a lumpy, chalky, mess that will make you very sad.
Once all of the cavities are filled and tapped, it’s time to put your mold in the freezer for a few minutes to set-up your candy. Since these are so small, it should only take a minute or two. You can tell they are ready when no part of the mold is warm, and the buttons pop out relatively easily when inverted.
Large, simple-shaped molds slide out easy-peasy, but sometimes these little buttons don’t like to come out at first. Don’t be afraid to wiggle, tap, and bend (slightly) your mold to free the buttons. These molds are pretty durable, they can take it. However, if you have left your mold in the freezer for a very long time (which I don’t recommend anyway) do NOT try to bent it! It could snap or crack.
There you have it! Gorgeous, life-like, delicious buttons. Your friends will be amazed. If you are ready to make another batch, rinse out your mold (if needed) and make sure it’s completely dry before you use it again. Never put your mold in the dishwasher, and avoid soaking it in soapy water for extended amounts of time.
There are probably millions of adorable ways to package these tiny treats, but I think they look very nice in small glassine bags, and I created these cute labels you can add to the top. I was inspired by real, retro button cards, and I created four different designs for you to mix and match. You can easily print them onto any paper, cut them out, fold them over, and staple to the top of the bag. The back is blank so you can add a personal message. Click on the image below for the free high-resolution PDF print out!
Please print and use these tags as often as you like! I sized them to fit the one ounce glassine bags or also the tiny flat cello bags. I printed mine on plain computer paper, so they were easy to fold over and staple to the bags. I hope you have as much fun making these candy buttons as I did! I even saved a few for cupcake topping later on. There are so many uses for them, I’m sure all of you will have some clever ideas! Please snap a few photos of your creations and email them to me. I’d love to see what you make, and add your photos to the shop gallery!
About the author
Hungry for more?
Sign up for our email newsletter Sweet Bites to get exclusive subscriber discounts to the Bake It Pretty shop!
Trackbacks/Pingbacks
- misochang » candy buttons - [...] these candy buttons are too cute to eat! check out how to make your own vintage button candies! [...]
- Vintage Chocolate Buttons « Days of Serendipity - [...] right away! You can buy the candy mold at Bake It Pretty for just $2.25 and then hop over to ...
- Flickr Find: DIY Candy Buttons — iDiY - [...] photostream on Flickr but you can find the step-by-step tutorial and the freebie labels from the Bake It Pretty ...
- Bake It Pretty « Feminine Modern - [...] check out her blog for fun tutorials like this one on how to make button-shaped candies. Also, be sure ...
- my aim is true » Blog Archive » Bake It Pretty Giveaway! - [...] on The Small Object? Learn how to make these fancy little guys and download free labels at the Candy ...
- Bake It Pretty and 31 Days of Giveaways | YUM.neatlysliced.com - [...] is a most decadent delight! Image via Bake It Pretty blog. Hopefully it's okay to use :) See the ...
- Cute as a Button Wedding: Buttons and Weddings a Sweet Duo » Weddingbee PRO » The Wedding Blog - [...] DIY candy buttons from Bake it Pretty. [...]
- Button, Button | Bake It Pretty - [...] to scare you! I’ve already written up direction on making these fantastic candy buttons, (you can find that post ...
- Bake it Pretty « Shiny Syndrome - [...] be fooled, those are made out of CANDY! See the Bake It Pretty Blog to see how to use ...
- button candy » Blog Archive » interruption for real button candy - [...] at work! Angie-stubs-pants made the cake and i made the chocolate buttons ( i got the mold from bake ...
- Hearts & Flowers Candy Box | YUM.neatlysliced.com - [...] at Bake It Pretty to buy my melts and my molds. You can follow the instructions on their blog ...
- Wedding Trend :: Buttons | Weddings Unveiled Blog - [...] Who knew buttons would become such a big trend this season! There’s no easier way to add an instant ...
- le wedding | Bananas, continued - [...] collected hundreds of buttons and my sister had already thought up the brilliant idea to give away candy buttons ...
- Button Wednesday: Chocolate buttons, with a difference | Becky Button - [...] the main part of the post looks pretty cool, I fell in love with the ooh-shiny candy buttons in ...
- Finding My Piece » Blog Archive » ~Favorite Things~ Bake it Pretty - [...] about it when I started to plan Amy’s Button Baby Shower. I used their tutorial,”Chocolate Button 101” to make ...
- button candy » Blog Archive » Yum!!! Real button candy - [...] pretty friend Nadia’s blog. yummmm! She found them here. Remember these molds i bought from bake it pretty - ...
- Summer Sweet Tooth « Emily Myer's Blog - [...] full tutorial can be found on the Bake It Pretty site. Advertisement GA_googleAddAttr("AdOpt", "0"); GA_googleAddAttr("Origin", "other"); [...]
- A hint of pink… | Linden & Lace - [...] guests also got to take home a package of chocolate buttons that we made. I created and printed the ...
- Choosing the right Chocolate Molds. - [...] Finding The Right Chocolate Molds For almost any VentureVictorian Chocolate MoldsAnnouncing – Adam’s Cary Mxi Chocolate Molds BlogTracing The ...
- Theme Thursday: Stitched | Oh, What Love Studios - [...] 6. JCrew via Tin Sparrow Studio 7. Stitched 8.Forget Me Knot Weddings 9.Our Labor of Love 10. Bake it Pretty ...
I love these! I haven’t worked with the molds yet and am going to give it a try.
Love the idea….and I love to bake and cook..melt even easier how adorable!!! Thanks for sharing this! jenn
Wow! I mean over the top wow. This is the absolute cutest thing and so creative. I’m not sure what I’ll use them for, but I’m (sew) going to try this. Okay okay stupid joke, but I had to try it. Thak you for sharing your talent and creativity with us.
LOVE THIS!! I just placed an oder~ love love love your site!!!!!!
These candy buttons are the cutest. Since I like making things look pretty more than anything else, these buttons will be another cute addition to my collection of unique decorating items.
The mold is only 2.25?? Surely that’s a typo!! They are too cute, I must try!
These buttons are adorable- makes me want to clear everything on my schedule today and spend the whole day in the kitchen. I am just as excited about the printable tags! I love coming up with a cute way to package and display any cute craft!
What a great idea!!!
Baking sweets or making them look pretty? To me those two things go hand in hand. I bake almost everyday and take the goods to work, and they are so appreciative! These button candies are about the most adorable thing I’ve seen in a while and can’t wait to get started on them. To me with these, you have sweets that have no choice but to be pretty! Keep up the good work.
I think those are so cute, I think I can handle making those, it is just the sugar cookies that I have a hard time with. But I will keep trying….
These are so cute! I’ve found that chocolate pops out of molds more easily if each cavity is polished (rubbed) well with a soft cotton cloth like a dish towel both before filling the first time and between fillings. I chill mine after filling them and usually don’t have trouble with the chocolate releasing. Try giving your chilled molds a good hard whack on a covered surface.
Wonderful tutorial! Thanks for sharing.
Very nice job, can’t wait to make them!!
These are adorable! So inspiring too. I’ll definitely make sure to try these. Thanks very much!
hi there, i loved making my button molds, SO much fun and very quick! Have a look at the first button candies i made. the green colour was a little off ( i only had powder colouring to use) but look here: http://www.buttoncandy.org/?p=1144
Our baker for our wedding (which was a week ago) did the white chocolate buttons for us and they were fantastic! I don’t have professional wedding photos back yet but here are a few pictures from us/our guests.
http://samandrena.shutterfly.com/553
http://samandrena.shutterfly.com/546
My deceased godmother, who I am named after, used to keep a cut glass jar of old buttons by her chair for when she did her mending. As a child, I loved to dump the buttons out and look through them so this was a nice way to remember her on our wedding day.
I made a batch of these today and cannot get over how adorable they are! But I had a little bit of trouble getting them out of the mold, especially the smallest buttons. I rapped the mold many times and that helped, but about half of them refused to come out. Is it possible to spray the mold lightly with cooking spray before filling it? Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Hilda- So glad you are enjoying the mold!
They should release better the more you use the mold, it ill get sort of “seasoned.” You can try to lightly grease the mold, if you use a spray like Pam be sure to rub it around with a dry cloth otherwise there will be little flecks in your buttons where the spray drops are, (I know becasue it happened to me!) Also be sure your chocolates are totally cool and set before you release them, they will pop out much better. Use the freezer setting method.
Ah! Thank you so much. I think I just need a little bit more practice too. I am absolutely loving these and plan to get a few more molds soon!
xo H
Thank you so much for this tutorial! I modified the template (and saved time with pre-made button candy) and made them to tuck in workshop schwag bags for my business. The printing company Moo.com featured them today (photo included), crediting you with the inspiration!
http://www.moo.com/blog/2010/03/19/sweet-idea-for-a-promotion/
I can’t say THANK YOU enough!
I’m using a button theme for my wedding and came across your molds! I can’t wait to use them for my favors!! Do you have any idea how many times you can fill a mold with a bag of melts?
Thank you for this tutorial. I linked to it here: http://piccolinadesigns.blogspot.com/2010/05/printable-for-you.html
Sorry for the huge review, but I am really loving the new green supply bags. These bags have some many nice and cute drawings. And of course, thanks for the reviews here that made us changed from using regular eco bags to green foldable bags.
These buttons are adorable and look so easy. I am just starting to get into baking and decorating. Thanks for the tutorials. Very easy to follow.
Cool PDF. Your article made me soo hungry and i need sweets right NOW !
Help-when I click on button mold, there is nothing there. where can i get the molds? I want them for a quilting event!
Oh my! This blog is such a treasure. I’ve already book marked
Can’t wait to try this !!
B
It’s a simple idea, I consider it.
Hi, im from Dream Treasure Rewards crew. We Offer Top Rewards for Filling Out Online Surveys Anyway being around for on top of 14 years and having good customer support to spend time with our members, we’re also well known throughout the web society for offering wonderful rewards. Unlike several benefits web sites that offer you the world and fail miserably, our site is known to supply some of the best rewards existing. Here are just a few of the most good reward you could earn when you finish our on line surveys: iPads, iPhones, Discount cupons, mp3 players and more cool stuff.
I am just starting out with cake pops, and Bakerella has your site linked with botton ideas and the onesies, would you share the type of cookie recipe that you use? my daughter is expecting her first so I am planing ahead she is just 2months, but the time just flies!!
Thanks for you time!!
Awesome creations!!
Kim
Hello! We love Bakerella, best of luck with your cake pops!
Here’s a link to my personal fave cookie recipe. It’s the only sugar cookie one I ever use:
http://www.recipelink.com/mf/31/42108
And be sure to check out this stress-free dough rolling technique:
http://www.bakeitpretty.com/blog/2009/12/cookie-doh/
I thought this was a great iidea. I was looking for soap mold when I came across these cute little candy buttons, I will definitely be making these and ordering the molds to go with it. After I am done with the candy, I will also take soap and make cute little soap buttons. Thanks so much for showing me this mold!
This is so so wonderful! I am a fashion enthusiast with a “How-To” addiction on the side… so i just love these! Thankyou for sharing, and especially for sharing your printouts! I cant wait to make these. <3
These are absolutely adorable! And they look so yummy!
The button molds are no longer available on the site. Does anyone know of another source? I really want to make these.
Im having the same problem. WHat is up with that, she should bring them back.
hey amanda,
do you think you will ever get these back in stock ?
could you let me know? i want them so bad!!!! My friends at school woulf love these and the teachers for holidays and my friends at valentines day and sooo much more!!!
That is really interesting, You’re an excessively skilled blogger. I’ve joined your feed and look forward to seeking extra of your great post. Also, I’ve shared your website in my social networks
Help! I want to order these antique button molds but can’t find them on your site. Are they still available???
Hey – these are awesome! so cute!
Once I have made a small bag – how long do the candies last for?
Or check out these: http://www.etsy.com/listing/70512550/peppermint-candy-buttons-25-a-handmade
These are so tasty! And our guests did not believe they were candy!
Whether or not all users of ones own see the other person everyday, relationship is still important. This really is fundamentally the ultimate way to improve the partnership on the list of loved ones and in many cases help make your romance together more powerful. Really it is terrific to do something out of doors but in case the temperature is certainly not very good or maybe it can be pouring down rain exterior, you can think about several types of indoors video games and things to do that may actually make anyone feel good. This is an excellent alternate you could remember to consider. In this article are some of the video games or exercises you can do in your own home.Hide and go seek is one of the preferred video games possibly played out which can be done in the house. An individual should be an Half inchitHalf inch who’ll be in charge of trying to get other family who’re trying to hide. Reduce costs which is to be uncovered without having pressingOrgetting to the house foundation should are the future Half inchit.In . But when you are believe that this isn’t a really good choice, it is possible to consider charade and that is yet another household recreation. During this sport, if possible, there ought to be two competitors. You will have part which will act up the phrase that is definitely written on a piece of paper although the other members have been around in-management of estimating the saying. The team with the most items will likely then be reported as the victor.Apart from hide and seek and charade, a lot of avenues of credit card and games are one of the excellent choices that you may investigate. Games involve Menagerie, Previous Cleaning service, Moving, Jewel, Slapjack and more. For board games, you can select Scrabble, Mentally stimulating games, Monopoly, Household Feud and Pieces. When you have plenty of choices to observe, less costly select the one which you feel is really fun.In contrast, if you think that actively playing the online games that had been mentioned above will never be sufficiently good, you’ll be able to go with other activities which almost all of the relatives have passions in. As an illustration, job in order to cook/bake as a way your kids, then you could get this to exercise that allows you to connect with the family. You are able to determine every new member to accomplish a particular section of the cookingOrpreparing practice making sure that everyone will like. Be certain that absolutely everyone extends to engage in such pastime. As soon as cuisine is made or wedding cake is cooked, then you could take it together with the relatives. Everyone will obviously be content to consume the berry of their toil. Aside from cookingPerbaking, it’s also possible to contemplate some other activities like painting them, belly dancing, vocal, examining, enjoying videos and many a lot more.These are merely pretty approaches to connection with the family but these can be extremely helpful. You shouldn’t have for yourself devote a lot of cash because these easy issues can definitely take happiness to anyone particularly loved ones are comprehensive. It isn’t really needed that these things should be done on a daily basis. Once every seven days or even a rare occasions per 30 days will work.
Even though all participants of your family see one each day, relationship continues to essential. This really is fundamentally the easiest method to bolster the partnership on the list of family members and in many cases you could make your romance to each other stronger. Really it is great to do something outdoors but once the conditions is certainly not beneficial or if it’s pouring out of doors, you can consider several types of inside games and routines that can actually make anyone feel happy. This is a good choice that you could take into consideration. The following are the video games or maybe the exercises you can apply in the house.Hide and go seek is probably the most favored video games previously played and this also can actually be done inside. Another person must be an Half inchitHalf inch who will be accountable of searching for other family members who’re camouflaging. Web site that is to be located without having pressingPerhitting the property foundation will likely then are the next Inchit.Inch But when you are imagine that this may not be an excellent solution, it is possible to look into charade that is a different in house game. With this recreation, preferably, there should be two squads. You’ll encounter a member that could act up the phrase that is authored on a piece of paper whilst the individuals are usually in-management of wondering the saying. The team with issues are able to be expressed as being the champion.Apart from hide and seek and charade, a large collection of greeting card and games can also be on the list of perfect alternatives you can explore. Card games include Menagerie, Outdated Cleaning service, Running, Rock, Slapjack and many other. For games, you’ll be able to decide on Scrabble, Mentally stimulating games, Monopoly, Household Feud and Pieces. Since you also have plenty of choices to consider, you simply need to choose the one which you feel is basically enjoyment.In contrast, if you feel enjoying the game titles that were mentioned above aren’t going to be suitable, you’ll be able to decide on other pursuits which almost all of the family members have likes and dislikes in. For instance, job to cookVersusfarrenheit in order your family, then you can certainly turn this into hobby so that you can connect with your loved ones. It is possible to assign each representative to try and do a particular section of the preparing your receipeeAndpreparing procedure making sure that everyone will enjoy. Be certain that all people reaches get involved in like pastime. As soon as foodis cooked properly or perhaps the wedding cake is baked, then you can definitely feed on it in concert with all the current family members. Everyone will certainly be delighted to nibble on the fruits in their labour. Aside from preparing/the baking, it’s also possible to take into consideration another activities like artwork, belly dancing, singing, reading, enjoying movies and many more.These are merely pretty solutions for relationship with your family these are actually efficient. There’s no need to suit your needs invest a lot of money because they basic factors can unquestionably bring contentment to absolutely everyone especially if the folks are complete. It is not genuinely critical that these items carried out on a daily basis. Once a week or maybe a rare occasions each month can do.
Even though all members of your family see the other person each day, bonding continues to be required. That is simply the simplest way to fortify the hyperlink one of the loved ones and in some cases help make your relationship together stronger. It’s fantastic to behave outdoors but in case the weather is certainly not superior or if it really is pouring birds outside the house, you can consider a variety of in house activities and activities that may really make all people feel good. This is a great different you can factor in. In this article are the video game titles or things to do which can be done inside your own home.Hide and go seek is among the most favored activities ever before competed which can definitely be exercised inside your own home. Somebody ought to be an InchitInches who will be responsible of in search of other close relatives who are trying to hide. The first that will be located without touchingAndattaining your home basic will likely then function as the following Inchit.In . But when you are believe this may not be a good method, you may consider charade that is one more indoors video game. During this game, preferably, there ought to be two squads. You will see an affiliate which will act on the saying that is definitely created on certificates although the individuals have been around in-management of estimating the saying. They with more issues might be declared as the winner.Other than hide and seek and charade, a large variety of cards and board games are also one of several great alternatives that you could look into. Card games consist of Menagerie, Ancient Maid, Running, Gemstone, Slapjack and many others. For board games, it is possible to go for Scrabble, Chess, Monopoly, Relatives Feud and Pieces. Simply because you have plenty of choices to look at, less costly choose the brains behind you feel is really enjoyment.On the other hand, if you feel that trying to play the video games that have been stated earlier will not be sufficiently good, you may go with other activities which almost all the family have hobbies and interests in. For instance, job to cookPerbake to be able the kids, then you could turn this into exercise in order to rapport with your family. It is possible to assign every single fellow member to perform a particular the main the bakingVersuspreparing food procedure in order that anyone will like. Make certain that everybody reaches take part in these kinds of hobby. As soon as your meals are cooked properly or maybe the cake is cooked, you may feed on it collectively together with the family members. Absolutely everyone will obviously be content to nibble on the fruit with their crews. Besides bakingVersuspreparing your receipee, you can even contemplate another activities like painting them, dance, vocal, looking through, observing films and many additional.These are just very solutions for rapport with the fam but these really are useful. It is not necessary for yourself devote some huge cash simply because uncomplicated issues can certainly deliver happiness to everyone specifically if the parents are entire. It’s actually not actually critical that these matters should be carried out day-to-day. Once every seven days or even a few times per month will work.