Christmas Challenge | Why Play Learning

Gift Challenge

Some great ideas for gifts under £10

Home made gifts are always better than those you can go out and buy

Chocolate Truffles

(Makes 10)

You will need:

100g milk chocolate drops

25g butter

25g icing sugar

50g plain cake - crumbles into fine

crumbs

4 tbls chocolate sugar strands

Fill saucepan a quarter full of water and heat it until the water bubbles
Put chocolate drops and butter into a bowl
Wearing oven gloves, gently put the bowl into the pan
Stir until melted. Carefully lift the bowl out of the water
Sift the icing sugar into the bowl
Add cake crumbs and stir until you have a very smooth paste
Leave to cool
Spread out the chocolate strands onto a plate
Scoop up some truffle mixture with a teaspoon and using your finger gently shape it into a ball
Put each truffle into a small paper case and store in the fridge.

Sent in by Jessica (9)

Ingredients
Serves: 10
180g chopped nuts (we like hazelnuts or almonds but pecans are great, too)
200g sugar
250g butter
1 tablespoon golden syrup
60ml water or bourbon
175g chocolate (plain, milk, white - chocolate bars work great here, too - about 6 will do the trick)

Method
Prep:5min › Cook:15min › Ready in:20min
Spread chopped nuts on a baking tin and toast lightly being careful not to burn. Cool.
Put sugar, butter, golden syrup and water into a heavy saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly. Cook until mixture is golden brown. You can double check mixture with a thermometer if you like - it should read about 150 degrees C.
Working quickly now, pour the mixture onto a baking tray and let it spread out. Top with chocolate - chopped, in chips or whole bars. Wait for a minute or so and spread out to cover toffee. Add nuts and lightly press into melted chocolate with a spoon. Leave to cool for several hours.
When completely cool, break into chunks, cover and store covered in something somewhat airtight. It really isn't too picky as long as it's kept out of humidity.

Recipe from 'All Recipes' Gloria's Beyond Fabulous Toffee

Sent in by ... Alex (6)

These lovely truffles were made by Jessica (9)

She has been very busy. They look yummy

These fabulous Gift Boxes were made by EJ Watson (12) at a cost of just four pound and fifty pence per box. Well done in the challenge. I just know everyone will enjoy receiving these boxes.