Recipe: Christmas Chocolate Fudge

This festive inspired recipe is the perfect treat to give away as a quick and simple present that doesn’t cost the earth. Even better is that the most cooking required is using a microwave! Wrap your fudge pieces in cellophane and ribbon or homemade boxes to place under the tree. They are so delicious you will have everyone fooled as to how quick and simple they are to make. 

Ingredients:

• 250g dark chocolate
• 400g can condensed milk
• 120g mixed dried fruit and nuts
• Glace cherries to top

Method:

1.      In a large microwaveable bowl, melt the chocolate and condensed milk for around 4 minutes, making sure to check regularly

2.      Once melted, stir vigorously to combine and then add fruit and nuts

3.      Line a baking tray with greaseproof paper and pour the mixture into the tray

4.      Lightly draw lines on the mixture to show pieces and add a cherry on top of each

5.      Refrigerate to set and then cut along the lines to serve

I'd love to know how you got on with your own attempts. Let me know in the comments below or tweet me @efoakden

Alcoholic Brownies!

I discovered this recipe just before Christmas, and I think it is fair to say they are they most delicious brownies I have ever tasted: no modesty intended!

I have always found when making brownies that if over cooked a moment too long they can lose the stereotypical gooey inside which makes them so gorgeous and moorish.

I used brandy in my first batch of brownies, but found that whisky was just as yummy. Similarly the cranberries are also optional, if you aren't using them skip step 2.

I tried adding walnuts to my recipe which were lovely and added a crunch to the sticky gooey insides of the brownie.

This recipe is to make enough mixture to fill a 30x20cm tin.

Ingredients;
30ml brandy/ Alcohol
100g dried cranberries (optional)
300g chocolate
200g butter
4 free range eggs
300g light muscovado sugar
200g plain flour
1 tsp mixed spice
Handful of crushed walnuts (optional)

Method;
1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees and then grease and line your designated tin with grease-proof paper

2. If using cranberries gently heat brandy and add cranberries to soak while you prepare brownie mix

3.Melt chocolate and butter in bowl over simmering water

4. In a large bowl whisk eggs and sugar until pale and fluffy

5.Whisk chocolate and butter mix in and gently fold in flour, mixed spice, brandy, nuts and cranberries

6. Pour into tin, smooth surface and bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes until firm to touch

7. Leave to cool in tin for 10 minutes before placing on a wire rack until cooled completely to cut into squares

Sprinkle with icing sugar to serve.

Instead of the nuts you could try chocolate chunks to add a little extra decadence.

Em x