So far for my Christmas Hampers I have made...

StudentLife

icklejulez wrote:

Just found this thread so thanks to all of you. Just out of interest what type of chocolate do you think I would buy to make some of these chocolate slabs?

It depends on your price range!! Decent choc is probably the best - green and black, lindt, etc However, I made easter eggs last year out of Tesco value chocolate and they tasted delicious - can't see why cheap chocolate would not work here either.

Just a couple of tips - don't over-melt the chocolate - u don't want it to burn :eek: Also it will retain more of the shape you are aiming for. If it is too runny you will have trouble getting it to be a thick slab. If this happens just let the choc cool down a bit before you spread it.

Ooh, there are loads of ways to be creative with this - i'd suggest buying milk, white and dark choc. You could make the main slab in one type, then drizzle the other 2 types on top for added decoration.

OR... you could make a three layered slab - just do thinner layers of choc and let it set in between each layer.

One more thing!!! There are loads of ideas on the hotel chocolat website for decoration, but i think buying a packet of milkyway magic stars and sprinkling them on top (when the choc is still melted) would be effective - Christmassy too!!

Sorry i've waffled - got a bit excited - it's nearly Christmas :j

MrsTinks

Good idea with the choccies... another suggestion building on the 3 layers would be to after it's cooled then break it up and put in neat little cellophane bas (really quite cheap on ebay) - finish with a sticker, bow or whatever you want In fact that would work for any pressie really but I would imagine it would be FAB for a winter warmer hamper or chocolate hampers...

Our favourite chocolate treat here is coconut and white chocolate tops. Does exactly what it says on the tin You buy cheap white chocolate and a bag of dessicated coconut and once the chocolate is melted you add coconut and keep adding until you can easily make "tops" out of it. Then you just make tops using a teaspoon on greaseproof paper or tinfoil and put in fridge to set. Again stick in cellophane bags YUMMY.... infact I might need to go have one now... mmmmm :drool:

V_Chic_Chick

How about using a needle-less syringe to write/draw on a chocolate slab? I still have a sterile one in the packaging that the vet gave us, but we already had one so used that instead.

Loopylass - Thorntons has a great selection of diabetic chocolate. My (diabetic) gran gets a selection every christmas and birthday from my aunt and uncle.

iwanttosave_2

tine wrote:

Our favourite chocolate treat here is coconut and white chocolate tops. Does exactly what it says on the tin You buy cheap white chocolate and a bag of dessicated coconut and once the chocolate is melted you add coconut and keep adding until you can easily make "tops" out of it. Then you just make tops using a teaspoon on greaseproof paper or tinfoil and put in fridge to set. Again stick in cellophane bags YUMMY.... infact I might need to go have one now... mmmmm :drool:

That sounds fab, we were thinking of choccyfaces idea of using an advent calender for moulds, but this idea seems good for the grown ups :T

gargoyle

I really love the idea of the hot chocoloate sets, may I ask for a more detailed description? Thanks.

iwanttosave_2

I am doing hot choc sets as part of my hampers, I have bought a set of 4 mugs from asda for £2 (nice proper mugs) 2 sachets of options for each one (5 for £1 @ asda) spoon dipped in melted chocolate, and then I have (for the grown ups) added some either bailieys or teachers whisky liquor chocolates (£1 a box @ poundland)

I have also added a sachet of foot soak and a face mask for a nice bit of pampering.

I have just ordered my cellophane off ebay for £2 odd for xmas greetings one 5m. Need to nip into au naturel tommoz and see if they have any baskets, or they will be ebay as well.

Got all my stuff for about £20 for 5 people

MrsTinks

gargoyle wrote:

I really love the idea of the hot chocoloate sets, may I ask for a more detailed description? Thanks.

I think one idea for these is:
A mug - check Wilko or other cheapie shops
A pouch or two of instant hot choc of your choice
Some spoons - either plastic or cheap metal - dip in chocolate and if possible wrap in cellophane with a little bow
A chocolate bar
If you can then some mini marshmellows in a pretty bag (again cellophane looks good... you can seal it with one of those thingies for sealing kitchen bags etc £5.99 I think mine cost at woollies

ambernora

Found this great idea for hot chocolate gifts

http://www.theideabox.com/Snowman_Soup.html

mirakl

I've spent the weekend making:
More sloe gin
apple and cinnamon jam
beetroot chutney
beef jerk
peppered pasta
dark chocolage and peppermint creams
garlic olive oil
chilli olive oil
sloe vodka

So that's a bit more for the hampers
Also think Lidl have wooden boxes some of their veg arrive in so I'm going there tomorrow to pick some up to use as hampers.

Beanietdc

I have also been quite productive this weekend..

I have started (and done quite a bit of) my first rag rug on my peg loom.

Made another big batch of bath bombs (selling like hot cakes!) so I can make the ones for my presents effectively for free .:money:

Started knitting a pair of fluffy socks for my sister (halfway down one leg so far!)

And got together the bits to make some chocolate truffles tomorrow night (just a trial run you understand!) :drool: