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    Home » Recipes » Summer Fun

    Mini Chocolate Beach Pails

    Modified: Mar 4, '24 · Published: May 26, '16 · By: Beth Klosterboer · Commission earned on paid or sponsored links.

    Jump to Recipe

    Turn little handmade chocolate cups into these adorable Mini Chocolate Beach Pails. You can fill them with Dulce de Leche Mousse then top that with toffee bits to resemble sand and add homemade chocolate shells. They will make great treats for your beach themed party.

    Turn little handmade chocolate cups into these adorable Mini Chocolate Beach Pails filled with Dulce de Leche Mousse and topped with toffee bits "sand" and chocolate shells. They will make great treats for your beach themed party.

    Of all the treats I made for my nephew's beach themed graduation party, these tiny little chocolate beach pails were my favorite.

    These tiny treats don't really look like desserts at all and it was so much fun seeing how the party guests reacted when they found out the beach pails were completely edible.

    It was even more exciting seeing how everyone ate their desserts.

    Turn little handmade chocolate cups into these adorable Mini Chocolate Beach Pails filled with Dulce de Leche Mousse and topped with toffee bits "sand" and chocolate shells. They will make great treats for your beach themed party.

    Some people took bites out of the entire dessert, eating it like an ice cream cone, while others scooped the Dulce de Leche Mousse out with tiny spoons, then ate the chocolate cup. One guy even popped an entire pail into his mouth.

    When I created these edible pails I knew I wanted them to look like they were filled with sand and sea shells.

    I chose to fill them with the rich caramel flavored mousse because it's one of my sister's favorite treats and being she was the party host, I wanted something special for her to eat. You can find the recipe for the mousse, here.

    The rich and creamy mousse topped with toffee bits paired nicely with the white chocolate beach pails, but you might prefer filling them with dark chocolate mousse or even pudding. You could even just fill them with a whole bunch of chocolate shells.

    Turn little handmade chocolate cups into these adorable Mini Chocolate Beach Pails filled with Dulce de Leche Mousse and topped with toffee bits "sand" and chocolate shells. They will make great treats for your beach themed party.

    You can see just how tiny these treats are in the picture above. See the quarter sitting in the sand? Yep, they are that small.

    Each chocolate beach pail was created using a plastic shot glass as a mold. I happened to have some Football themed shot glasses in my cupboard so that's what I chose to use.

    You can find plastic shot glasses at party supply stores. Don't use glass as the chocolate wont retract well so you wont be able to get it out of your shot glass.

    I would suggest you look for cups that have these characteristics:

    • the base should be smaller than the opening (the sides are not straight up and down)
    • the sides should be perfectly smooth
    • for a perfect beach pail shape, avoid any grooves inside the glasses

    How to make chocolate beach pails.

    Using pure melted and tempered white chocolate that has been colored using candy coloring is preferable, but you can also use confectionery coating (Candy Melts.)

    Be sure to use oil based candy coloring or powdered coloring to color the pure white chocolate. If you use Candy Melts, you can simply buy the wafers that are already colored.

    There are two methods to create the chocolate cups.

    Method 1:

    Pour chocolate into the shot glass, filling it up to the top. Let it sit in the glass for 1-3  minutes, depending on how thick your chocolate is, then turn the cup upside down and tap the bottom allowing the chocolate to drip out. You want a thin layer of chocolate to remain.

    Turn the shot glass right side up and wipe any drips of chocolate off the rim of the glass.

    If you are using pure chocolate, allow the cup to sit at room temperature for about 5 minutes, then pop it in the refrigerator for 5 -10 more minutes until the chocolate hardens. Then gently tug on the inside of the cup and remove the chocolate.

    If using candy melts, pop the cup into the freezer for 5-10 minutes until hardened.

    How to make chocolate beach pails.

    Method 2:

    Pour a small amount of chocolate into your shot glass and brush it into a thin layer up the sides of the glass, adding more as needed.

    Pop into the refrigerator (pure chocolate) or freezer (candy melts) and allow that layer to harden. Then remove and add a second layer if needed, chill again, then un-mold.

    NOTES:

    • To keep your chocolate cups from cracking make sure the chocolate layer in the shot glass is not too thin. Candy Melts wont coat the sides of the shot glass as uniformly as pure chocolate will, and you can end up with thin spots. If that happens, brush another layer inside and allow that to harden.
    • If your chocolate is sticking inside the shot glass, it hasn't hardened enough yet. Chill it for another minute or so, then try again.
    • If you leave the chocolate cups in the freezer for too long, that can also cause them to crack. Chill them just long enough so the chocolate hardens, then remove them and take the chocolate out of the shot glass.
    • Opening and closing the freezer door can cause your freezer to go into defrost mode and warm up. If you hear this happen, keep the door closed for about 15-20 minutes, then start making more cups.

    How to make chocolate beach pails.

    Once you get all your chocolate cups created, you can decorate and fill them.

    To make the handles you'll need to make some white modeling chocolate. You can find the recipe and tutorial on my Chocolate Making Tips page.

    You'll need strips that are about 3/16th inch wide by 3 ½ inches long. To make them you can roll out the modeling chocolate and cut the strips by hand, you can use a JEM 5mm strip cutter, or you can extrude the chocolate clay using a clay extruder that is fitted with a plate that has a small rectangle hole.

    Using-a-clay-extruder-with-modeling-chocolate-

    I love using the clay extruder. It is quick and easy. Simply roll some white modeling chocolate into a log, insert it into the extruder, and press out perfectly shaped strips. Make just a few strips then attach them to the chocolate pails.

    Press one end of the strip onto the top part of your chocolate beach pail then press the other end to the opposite side of the pail. It should just stick, but if your modeling chocolate is too dry, you can use piping gel or some melted chocolate as glue.

    Then you can fill your cups with about an ounce of dulce de leche mousse, chocolate mousse, or your favorite pudding, then top that with about a teaspoon of Toffee Bits that have been crushed into fine crumbs, using a food processor. You can use cookie crumbs if you prefer.Add Koppers Chocolate Shells or homemade chocolate shells to mini candy beach pails.

    To finish off the dessert, add some candy shells.

    You can buy chocolate shells or make very realistic looking homemade chocolate shells using a sea shell silicone mold.

    The technique I used the make the chocolate shells is easy, but requires another tutorial. So, hop on over to the Chocolate Sea Shell post to check it out.

    Beach Party Treats - Mini Chocolate Beach Pail

    Buy a copy of Candy Clay Creations

    If you’d like to have the ultimate guide to working with Candy Clay (modeling chocolate) be sure to get your printed or e-book copy of Candy Clay Creations. This 102 page book is filled with tips and tricks for making and working with candy clay along with 17 step-by-step tutorials for decorating cupcakes, cookies, and more using candy clay. It’s a fantastic resource for anyone who wants to make festively decorated treats.

    Mini Chocolate Beach Pails

    Turn little handmade chocolate cups into these adorable Mini Chocolate Beach Pails filled with Dulce de Leche Mousse and topped with toffee bits "sand" and chocolate shells. They will make great treats for your beach themed party.
    Print
    Mini Chocolate Beach Pails
    Prep Time
    2 hrs
    Total Time
    2 hrs
     

    Small chocolate cups are decorated to look like beach pails. Make these for your next beach or pool themed party, your guests will love these cute and delicious desserts!

    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: beach, beach pails, beach party, chocolate, dulce de leche, mousse, sea shells
    Servings: 16
    Author: Beth Klosterboer
    Ingredients
    • 16 ounces melted and tempered pure white chocolate
    • or melted colored confectionery coating candy melts*
    • oil based or powder candy coloring
    • 2 ounces white modeling chocolate
    • Filling:
    • 16 ounces dulce de leche mousse chocolate mousse, or pudding
    • ⅓ cup toffee bits crushed into fine crumbs or cookie crumbs
    • 48 tiny chocolate shells
    *See the Chocolate Making Tips page for detailed instructions on melting chocolate and confectionery coating.
    Instructions
    1. Color the white chocolate using candy coloring.
    2. You'll use approximately one ounce of chocolate per cup, so color accordingly.
    Method 1:
    1. Fill a small plastic shot glass full of colored white chocolate.
    2. Let the cup sit at room temperature for 1-3 minutes.
    3. Turn shot glass upside down and allow the excess chocolate to drip out, leaving just a thin shell.
    4. Set aside for 5 minutes then refrigerate for 5-10 minutes if using pure chocolate.
    5. If using candy melts, freeze for 5-10 minutes.
    6. Remove and gently pull the chocolate out of the shot glass.
    Method 2:
    1. Brush chocolate onto the bottom and up the sides of a plastic shot glass.
    2. Chill until hardened, then brush another layer over top.
    3. Chill until hardened.
    4. Remove and gently pull the chocolate out of the shot glass.
    Decorate:
    1. Cut thin 3/16th inch by 3 ½ inch long strips of white modeling chocolate.
    2. Attach one end near the top edge of a chocolate pail.
    3. Drape the strip around to the other side of the pail and press it on.
    4. If needed, use piping gel or melted chocolate as glue.
    Fill:
    1. Just before serving, pipe about an ounce of mousse or pudding into each chocolate pail.
    2. Spoon on about a teaspoon of toffee bits crumbs or cookie crumbs.
    3. Set three chocolate shells on top.

    You can find items needed to make these Mini Chocolate Beach Pails at Amazon.com (commission earned for sales)

    Amscan Football Party Shot ...Shop on Amazon Sculpey Tools Clay Extruder...Shop on Amazon Callebaut W2 28% White Choc...Shop on Amazon  Wilton Yellow Candy Melts, ...Shop on Amazon 
    Wilton Orange Candy Melts, ...Shop on Amazon Wilton 1911-1358 Lavender C...Shop on Amazon  Chocolate Seashells, 3 lb b...Shop on Amazon
    Serve up some fun this summer by creating festive desserts for a beach themed party.

    Be sure to check out my post about the beach themed graduation party. You can find the tutorials to make all these other fun beach treats by using the links below the image.

    Embrace the beautiful weather that we are having and make some of these gorgeous and scrumptious Summer Fun Recipes.

    Make a big splash at your party by serving these amazing Beach Themed Party Treats. See the recipes at HungryHappenings.com,

    Sugar Coated Sea Horse Cookies • Chocolate Beach Pails • Butterscotch Crunch Starfish
    Sandcastle Lollipops • Caramel Rice Krispie Turtles • Beach Party Popcorn
    Under the Sea Popcorn • Beach Ball Cheesecakes • Under the Sea Gumdrops
    Caramel Rice Krispie Treat Starfish • Chocolate Sea Shells • Rice Kripie Treat Dolphins
    Sugar Coated Sea Horse Cookies • Sugar Coated Sea Horse Cookies • Palm Tree Cookies

    If you are hosting a pool or beach themed party, you might also like these other recipe ideas...

    Make a splash at your pool party by serving a fun Fruit Pizza Fish, a Strawberry Kiwi Fruit Pizza Watermelon, and Grilled Veggie Pizzas. Make a splash at your pool party by serving these fun treats to your guests. Recipes at HungryHappenings.com

     Veggie Pizza Fish • Mediterranean Grilled Vegetable Pizzas • Fruit Pizza Watermelon
    Googly Eye Sea Creatures • Fruit Pizza Beach Ball • Goldfish Marshmallow • Peanut Butter Fudge Starfish
    Starfish S'Mores • Ice Cream Cone Goldfish • Rice Krispie Treat Sand Castle • Beach Ball Pie

    If you recreate these Mini Chocolate Beach Pails
    be sure to link to this tutorial and tag @HungryHappenings on Instagram then send a picture to beth@hungryhappenings.com,
    so I can  share it in my Readers' Gallery.

    • Author
    • Recent Posts
    Beth Klosterboer
    Beth Klosterboer
    Hi, I'm Beth Klosterboer, a professional chocolatier & baker, cookbook author, and event planner. I love sharing recipes for happy occasions here on Hungry Happenings. I also create easy fudge recipes to share at HowToMakeEasyFudge.com, rice krispie treat recipes at HowToMakeCerealTreats.com, and easy cookie recipes at HowToMakeEasyCookies.com
    Beth Klosterboer
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    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Jenna Goldfarb says

      December 13, 2016 at 2:04 pm

      Hi Beth,

      This is Jenna from Koppers Chocolate. Thanks so much for the adorable photo of our seashells. I was wondering if you could change the link from amazon to our website. A lot of our distributors sell on amazon but we don't. It would be much appreciated.

      Reply
      • Beth says

        December 13, 2016 at 4:31 pm

        Hi Jenna,

        Do you have an affiliate program? I am a huge fan of Koppers and would be happy to share a link as long as I can get a commission for the sale like I do on amazon. Thanks!

        Reply
    2. Cindy deRosier says

      June 05, 2016 at 3:27 pm

      You amaze me. Over and over and over.

      Reply
      • Beth says

        June 05, 2016 at 5:45 pm

        That's so nice to hear! Thank you, Cindy.

        Reply
    3. Tavette says

      May 27, 2016 at 11:13 am

      These are so clever and my mouth is watering already for the mousse. The detail in the shells is incredible. Should the little pails be refrigerated once the mousse is put in them? I'm in S. Fla. where it is terribly hot & humid. Will "tune in" later for instructions on the multi-color shells.

      Tavette - S. Fla.

      Reply
      • Beth says

        May 28, 2016 at 10:51 am

        Thanks, Tavette. I really suggest filling the chocolate beach pails just a little while before serving. You can refrigerate them, just know that you may end up with beads of condensation on the chocolate and the modeling chocolate handles will get sticky. Here's a trick that can help. Set the platter of chocolate pails in your refrigerator and cover them with a cardboard box. The cardboard should absorb most of the moisture, leaving your chocolate drier. I'll be working on the chocolate shell tutorial today. It should be up either tonight or tomorrow. 🙂

        Reply
    4. ColleenB.~Texas says

      May 27, 2016 at 2:27 am

      They are adorable and such a clever idea. You make it look so easy but do really appreciate the step by step instructions/ pictures. Thank You
      What a fascinating tool; that Clay Extruder

      Reply
      • Beth says

        May 28, 2016 at 10:54 am

        Thank you Colleen. It may take a bit of practice to get the chocolate pails to turn out just right and I have had lots of practice over the years. I love using the clay extruder with modeling chocolate. It has so many different plates that you can make lots of different shapes. It's great for making hair, handles, and logs. I hope you give these a try!

        Reply
    5. lisa@hooplapalooza says

      May 26, 2016 at 11:41 pm

      i live 20 minutes away from the beach and i hardly go there LOL but if i saw these adorable little sand pails, heck i would live there! holy moley i gotta have 'em! :>D

      Reply
      • Beth says

        May 28, 2016 at 10:55 am

        I would be at the beach every weekend if I lived so close. I'm so jealous of your location. It's my dream to live at the beach. Some day - I hope!

        Reply
    6. lisa@hooplapalooza says

      May 26, 2016 at 11:41 pm

      i live 20 minutes away from the beach and i hardly go there LOL but if i saw these adorable little sand pails, heck i would live there! holy money i gotta have 'em! :>D

      Reply
    7. Rachel says

      May 26, 2016 at 9:38 pm

      You are really talented! Thank you for sharing your ideas and how-to's with the rest of us!!

      Reply
      • Beth says

        May 26, 2016 at 9:49 pm

        That's so nice of you to say. Thanks, Rachel. I love sharing my ideas and am so happy to have wonderful readers who appreciate my efforts. 🙂

        Reply
    8. The Partiologist says

      May 26, 2016 at 8:45 pm

      These are so incredibly cute and probably the closest thing to the beach I will get this summer! Absolutely adorable!!!!!!!!

      Reply
      • Beth says

        May 26, 2016 at 10:16 pm

        Thanks, Kim. I don't like having a year without some time at the beach. It really is my favorite place in the world to be.

        Reply
    Beth Jackson Klosterboer

    Welcome to Hungry Happenings!

    I'm Beth. I've been a professional chocolatier & baker for over 30 years, have written 5 cookbooks, and love creating fun food for holidays and special occasions.

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