Peppermint hot chocolate baubles

Ingredients

• 360gr semi-dark chocolate

• 5 sachets of peppermint hot chocolate (if you have a large tub, estimate 10-12gr per bauble)

• 5 peppermint candy canes (crushed using a rolling pin)

• 1 packet of Aero bubble balls (I use 4 bubble balls per bauble)

• 3 handfuls of mini marshmallows

• 1 handful of festive marshmallows (optional)

• 90gr bar of white chocolate

• festive sprinkles

• edible glitter

Non-edible equipment:

• 2 silicone semi-sphere moulds (approx 8cm diameter per semi-sphere)

• string

• food pastry brush

• palette knife 

• ramekin

Method

I start by melting the semi-dark chocolate in a bain-marie (heat-safe bowl on top of a pot with hot but not bubbling water). Once fully melted, I start coating the washed and dried semi-sphere moulds using a food pastry brush. I clean off any excess chocolate with a palette knife and chill in the fridge for 15 minutes in between coatings. This process is repeated three times, after which I refrigerate the semi-spheres for a good hour.

Once they’re fully set, I prep the fillings, melt the remaining semi-dark chocolate (if it has set) and pour it into a piping bag. In a ramekin, I place one semi-sphere and pour the peppermint hot chocolate powder, some crushed candy canes, 4 Aero bubble balls, 4 festive marshmallows, a few mini marshmallows. I spritz the filling with a festive cloud of edible glitter and pipe the melted semi-dark chocolate onto the edges, before topping with another semi-sphere and sealing it using my fingers. The constructed bauble is then placed back in the refrigerator for a further 20 minutes.

I repeat the process 5 times (or 6 if your moulds hold more semi-spheres). Whilst the baubles are setting, I melt the white chocolate (bain-marie) and pour it into a piping bag. I take the baubles out of the fridge one by one so that the others can remain chilled. I decorate one side using melted white chocolate, festive sprinkles and edible glitter and attach the string with the white chocolate. I really enjoy the process of giving each one its own unique look, after which I place them back in the mould, decorated side up and leave them to set in the fridge overnight.

These peppermint hot chocolate baubles make for a great gift. You may decide to write the instructions neatly, as part of the package. All the recipient needs to do is warm up a mug of milk, dip the bauble into the mug and watch it melt away (with some good stirring) into a dreamy, festive, warm chocolatey drink. Guaranteed to put a smile on anyone’s face!