Chocolate cutouts can turn a simple dessert into something special. They can also help you incorporate a theme into your dessert.

• Proceed as you would for solid, striped, feathered, or marbled chocolate curls.

• Refrigerate for a few minutes, until firm but not yet set.

• If you are using metal cookie cutters to create shapes, gently press the cookie cutters into the chocolate. If you need squares, rectangles, or triangles, score the chocolate with a knife. Chill until set.

• Remove from refrigerator, fit the cookie cutters (or knife) into the preformed shapes, and gently cut through the chocolate. Place on your dessert, or store in an airtight container, layered with waxed paper.