Can I use chocolate chips in a recipe in place of chopped chocolate?
In general, no. Many chocolate chips, especially the more mainstream commercial brands, are formulated with less cocoa butter so they retain their shape. So if you try to melt them on their own, the result will be sludgy instead of smooth. I have some recipes that specifically call for melting chips with something like butter or cream since it’s easier for many home cook to find and use chips. And there are a few brands of chocolate chips that are made from premium chocolate which is similar to regular chocolate, but it’s best to use what’s indicated by the recipe.
