chocolate Archives - Munchies and Munchkins

Chocolate Coffee Fudge Cake – Fairtrade Fortnight

February 29, 2016 · by munchiesandmunchkins · 12 Comments

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #FairtradeFortnight #CollectiveBias

Did you know that its Fairtrade Fortnight?

What is Fairtrade??

Millions of farmers and workers in developing countries who work hard every day to grow the food we eat still don’t earn enough to know where their next meal is coming from. In other words, they do not have food security. But we can all do something to tackle this injustice and support farmers and workers to put food on their families’ tables, by harnessing the power of Fairtrade.

When people are paid a fair price, they can have more control over their lives when times are hard, and worry less about how they will feed their families. Whether it’s the extra cash in their pockets or being able to expand their farms to grow more food to eat, Fairtrade means many farmers and workers are able to fulfil a basic human need – to put enough food on the table for the people they care about, all year round.

Think back to what you ate this morning..perhap you had a coffee and maybe it came from Kenya or a banana from Columbia or tea from India. How is it fair in the world we live in that people do not get a sufficient amount of money for the produce they work so hard to provide?

When I was asked to create a recipe for Fairtrade fortnight I knew it was something I could get on board with. I wanted to include as many of the best known Fairtrade products that I could, so this recipe includes coffee, cocoa, sugar, and bananas. Its not technically a breakfast food although you can totally justify eating this in the morning – coffee and bananas. Yes.

You may not have noticed but most of the main supermarkets stock at least a few fairtrade products, especially coffee!

We always buy fairtrade coffee, even though I don’t drink it Andrew does and his current favourite is the Kilimanjaro blend from CafeDirect which is always on our Sainsburys online grocery shop. It also works well in bakes as coffee really enhances the flavour of chocolate. This brand gives 50% of profits to the growers which means you can feel good about buying it and its of such a high quality too. The bananas we buy are also always fair-trade and luckily most of my favourite chocolate is fairtrade too including Green & Blacks, Cadburys Buttons ( I am a total sucker for buttons and always have been ) as well as Waitrose.

Chocolate Coffee Fudge Cake

You will need

For the cake:

150g of self raising flour
45g of fairtrade cocoa powder
175g softened butter
175g fairtrade caster sugar
1 level tsp baking powder
75ml strong cooled fairtrade black coffee
vanilla extract
3 large eggs

Coffee Fudge buttercream filling:

50g butter
30ml strong black coffee
30g soft brown sugar
35 g black treacle
200g icing sugar

1 large sliced banana

One Minute Fudge Frosting:

Recipe from CDKitchen

1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat your oven to 180c. Grease and line two cake tins.

Cream your butter and sugar together, then add your flour, cocoa powder and baking powder. Finally add your beaten eggs, vanilla and coffee and beat until smooth. Split between your two tins and bake for 15-20 minutes until baked throughout, press lightly on the top and if it springs back its done. Leave to cool whilst making your buttercream:

Melt your butter, sugar, treacle and coffee in a saucepan then beat in your icing sugar. Leave to cool.

Spread onto one half of your cake, add banana slices around the edge and then sandwich together.

Finally make your fudge frosting, mix your ingredients (minus the vanilla) together in a pan and boil for one minute then add your vanilla. Now leave to cool for a minute or so then then using an electric mixer beat for 3 minutes. Now use it to cover the top of your cake, it needs to be added quickly as it sets quite firmly. You can leave plain or decorate with nuts or more chocolate!

Now invite some friends around to share it as it makes a good 8-10 generous servings and its so good you may just want to keep on munching..

If you want this to stay fresh for a few days you may want to omit the fresh banana or perhaps slice and add on top just prior to serving.

Chocolate Topped Coconut Biscuits – Dairy & Gluten Free

July 5, 2015 · by munchiesandmunchkins · Leave a Comment

Since we have discovered that Chloe can no longer have gluten ( along with dairy and soya ) we have had to radically rethink the way we cook and buy her food, I’ve been experimenting and creating recipes which will make her meals and snacks more enjoyable. I’ve recently made these coconut biscuits topped with chocolate which are deliciously moreish, completely dairy and gluten free and so easy to make.

These are delicious with a cup of tea (for me of course, not the kids ) and stay fresh for at least 5 days in an airtight container – they were all gone after that. They also freeze well, I popped a few in to test it and when pulled out a few hours before or even popped into an over to lightly heat and crisp up again they are delicious. If freezing, do not add the chocolate until defrosted.

You will need:

175g Caster Sugar
150g Gluten Free Self Raising Flour
100g Shredded/Dessicated coconut
100g Coconut Oil ( I used Vita Coco )
100g of dairy/soya free chocoate
1 Beaten Egg

Preheat oven to gas mark 4/180.

Melt your coconut oil and add it to your other ingredients apart from the chocolate. Mix well then place in small spoonfuls on a lined baking sheet. Bake for about 10-12 minutes. Be aware these go from undercooked to overlooked very quickly so keep a close eye. These do spread a little so space out well. They are done when the edges are golden but the middle still looks pale, remove from oven and leave for a few minutes before carefully transferring to a wire rack.

When just slightly warm, drizzle melted chocolate over half of the biscuits and leave half plain for when you are out and about and don’t want chocolate all over your child.

This makes between 20-30 biscuits depending on your size preference.

It’s not easy having a toddler who is gluten free and even harder to explain to her slightly bigger sister why she can’t share her treats with her so these are perfect as they are tasty enough for them both to enjoy and share.

Stocking Fillers.. For me.

November 25, 2014 · by munchiesandmunchkins · Leave a Comment

Maybe you are past the age when you can be satisfied with a few chocolate coins and a tangerine but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t still have a stocking. I know that opening up Christmas stockings as a family all squished up in our big bed is one of my favourite things and I always insist that Andrew gets me some stocking fillers – I’m a big kid at heart.

Here are my favourite stocking gift ideas for women:

Proper Chocolate for grown ups:

With lots of options around for really good chocolate these days you are a bit spoilt for choice but here are some of my faves:

Hotel Chocolat – how about some of their salted caramels for pure indulgence or perhaps a pot of their salted caramel and pecan spread…mmmmmm.

Potash Farm: Single origin chocolate with cobnuts for something a little different. In dark or milk .. Dark for me please.

Butlers Chocolates: Totally gorgeous and very festive looking boxed and bagged chocs. I love the Marc De Champagne Truffles:

If you aren’t a chocolate lover what about a sweet novelty treat like this Travel cup filled with jelly beans from The Jellybean Factory ?

Or even some gourmet popcorn from Love Popcorn

You can never go wrong with a little boozy treat and how about something you don’t normally buy:

Licor43 – this slightly nutty and sweet liqueur is perfect added to hot chocolates or just alone.

Maybe try a different wine? Both Lindemans and Waitrose Cellar have some fantastic options whatever your taste may be. I love the Bin 45 reds From Lindemans:

or the Prosecco from Waitrose Cellar

I’ve recently tried Raspberry Gin and Damson port from Raisthorpe Manor and they would make delicious additions to a stocking…and these miniatures are the perfect size too.

Something bath or smellies related is normally in my stocking and it’s a firm tradition. You could give some pretty little sets from Sanctuary, Champneys, Vaseline or Lynx depending on your budget:

I’m a bit obsessed with the Sanctuary bath relaxer and the 2 day moisture shower oil so either of those in my stocking will make me a happy girl.

I like the lip balm gift set tins from Vaseline. I always, always, always have a tin of Vaseline in my bag and so I love having a set of them in my stocking.

Did you know Lynx did female deodorants and gift sets? I didn’t. They could make a great little gift for older teens or for women of all ages as they smell really good!

You could also add a little notebook set or desk caddy – I LOVE stationery and so do most of my friends. I think it goes back to school days when you just weren’t cool if you didn’t have a fountain pen or a multi coloured pencil. Life Canvas have a lovely range.

I’m sure I’ll think of more over the next few weeks but for now I hope that gives you all some ideas on stocking fillers for the women in your life.

* Some of the products included in this guide have been gifted to me for review purposes.

Individual Self Saucing Chocolate Pudding

August 27, 2014 · by munchiesandmunchkins · 5 Comments

I warn you that if you like chocolate and you like cake..you will LOVE these. Easy to make.. Far too easy to devour.

Every week I try to make something that will appear on that weeks episode of Great British Bake Off – this week the theme is desserts and their first challenge is to make a pudding.

Well my little family haven’t been very well this week and the lingering after effects of a stomach and cold bug are still present in everyone apart from me. So I thought as nobody else would be keen to eat chocolate pud I would try to make an individual serving – but none of this cake in a mug malarkey ( which is good but not what I fancied) I wanted a proper pudding with sauce.

It turned out pretty perfect. In fact I would make no changes to the recipe at all if I made it again. Its more than enough for one hungry person..in fact considering they were unwell two other hungry people shared mine with me.

You should bake this in a ramekin or pudding dish which will comfortably contain 250ml of liquid.

Individual Chocolate Self Saucing Pud

You will need:

For the pud:

35g of SR flour
35g of Caster Sugar
35g of whole milk
15g of melted butter ( * tip – melt it in your ramekin in the microwave for 20secs – saves you greasing it )
5g of cocoa powder
15g of beaten egg ( about a tablespoon & a half )
1/4 tsp of vanilla extract

For the sauce:

5g of cocoa powder
25g of soft brown sugar
40ml of boiling water

Preheat oven to gas mark 4.

Mix all of your pud ingredients together until smooth in a mixing bowl then put into your greased ramekin to join your melted butter.

Now for your sauce..combine your brown sugar and cocoa powder together in another bowl and cover the surface of the pudding with the dry mix. Slowly cover with hot water, should be approx 40ml you want it to cover all of the sauce mix but obviously don’t overfill.

Bake for 18-20 minutes until fully set on top and firm. Then dig in, the top should be fluffy and moist with an awesome underlay of chocolate gooeyness.

These were totally and utterly delectable. You need to try them!

Simply Sweet Cookies

August 13, 2014 · by munchiesandmunchkins · 7 Comments

Tonight knowing that it was biscuit week on The Great British Bake Off I made sure I had some cookies in the oven before I even thought about sitting down to watch. I had massive cake envy all through last weeks episode and I had NO cake to eat. Not making that mistake again.

I made a very simple cookie recipe which had just a few adaptations to my standard fail safe make in my sleep basic cookie recipe.

It turned out SO well that I wanted to share it with you tonight.
It’s simple. Takes less than 5 mins to prep and about 12 minutes to cook.
Not many photos I’m afraid as I didn’t think I wasn’t going to share it but it’s easy and tastes delicious.

Oat & Chocolate cookies

You will need:

100g softened butter
75g of soft brown sugar
175g of self raising flour
50 grams of porridge oats
45ml of golden syrup
75g of milk chocolate chunks
3tbsp of whole milk

Preheat oven to gas mark 3.

Cream your butter and sugar together before adding your remaining ingredients and stirring to combine. Dollop spoonfuls onto a greased baking tray. Bake until lightly golden ( about 12-14 minutes) Makes approximately 12 large (ish) cookies.

They taste to me exactly as cookies should. A combination of soft, chewy and chocolate with the added texture of oats.

I’m joining in with The Great Bloggers Bake Off 2014

And Tasty Tuesdays with Honest Mum

Bahlsen Pick Up Biscuits Review & Giveaway

March 31, 2014 · by munchiesandmunchkins · 42 Comments

Last week I was lucky enough to receive some pretty lovely parcels in the post. One of which contained these:

I opened this parcel after a day in London on trains and tubes. I was worn out and in dire need of chocolate and a cup of tea.

This met all my needs for chocolate and a biscuit. You have a thick hunk of delicious chocolate in the middle sandwiched by two crispy and tasty biscuits. Therefore no chocolate melted over yours (or your toddlers) hands if you can’t eat it all in 15 seconds – which I totally can by the way.

They are wrapped individually so stay fresh if you need to keep one in the changing bag and one or two by the side of your bed – I am breastfeeding after all so snacks close at hand are essential.

I’ve shared some of these with the pickiest biscuit eaters you could find – my Dad who will only eat certain brands and my toddler who thinks nothing of spitting them right out at my feet if they aren’t up to her standards. Everybody gives these a big thumbs up and there is certainly one from me too.

You could win yourself a whole case of these treats by entering my competition – a whole case! That’s 14 packets don’t you know.. Or 70 bars.. Drool.

Follow @BahlsenPICKUP on Twitter

Hotel Chocolat Easter Review & Giveaway

March 16, 2014 · by munchiesandmunchkins · 178 Comments

Some days the postman brings me bills and junk mail.

But then every now and again he brings me something brilliant. Like this:

Doesn’t that packaging just make you smile 😀

And just look what was inside..

Hotel Chocolat Egg & Chips:

You’ll just love our take on a British Classic – with a creamy white chocolate and vanilla seed egg served sunny side up with a soft salted caramel yolk and a scattering of mellow milk chocolate, salted caramel-filled chips. Knife & fork not included!

I’ve got a bit of a thing for salted caramel and Hotel Chocolat do it so well. The “chips” were divine. I’m not normally too fussed on white chocolate but this isn’t normal white chocolate. The vanilla seeds take it another level and the yolk…mmmmmmm.

Now that I’ve made you salivate all over your screens how about I give one of you lucky people a box of Egg & Chips just for you..

I’m too nice.

Visit Hotel Chocolat for more Easter ideas.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hotel Chocolat Christmas Goody Bag

November 27, 2013 · by munchiesandmunchkins · Leave a Comment

Do you know when you taste something so good that you think all other similar items will be ruined for you? That was how I felt when I bit into a treacle tart from my Hotel Chocolate Christmas Goody bag…woweeeeee.

I’m quite fussy with Chocolates and often I prefer a good old double decker to any kind of posh choc but when I had an email from Hotel Chocolat last week the day after giving birth the offer of some lovely treats was too hard to resist and I’m so glad I said yes. I’ve never tried Hotel Chocolat products before but I think there is little question that I will again.

I was sent this:

A Christmas Goody Bag

It contains:

Chocolate goodies specially selected for Christmas – bagged and bowed and ready for you to unwrap, including a 50% Cookie & Caramel Wreath, 6 Christmas Mess Chocolates, 6 Treacle Tart Chocolates and a trio of milk chocolate Santas.

My favourite so far is the Treacle Tart..it was like biting into silky chocolate heaven. Everything else is pretty delicious too and this would be such a lovely gift for someone special or you know you could just order one for yourself 😉

I thoroughly enjoyed reviewing this chocolate.. My only problem now is how do I go back to the normal stuff?

* this item was received for free in exchange for a review.

Homemade Peanut Butter Cups.. The easy way.

August 12, 2013 · by munchiesandmunchkins · 7 Comments

It seems that posting my I miss cooking blog post last week inspired me to do some cooking. I haven’t gone overboard as I still have a serious lack of energy but I did make a huge batch of slow cooker bolognese last week followed by a lasagne ( using the bolognese sauce) an emergency batch of chocolate cupcakes on Saturday night at 10pm as I was craving cake and then yesterday I decided to make a recipe I’ve made quite a few times over the past two years so much so that I can’t remember where I found the original recipe and also I don’t think I even keep to it anymore as I found I made too many and they were too sweet on my first attempt so apologies if this recipe is adapted from yours!

This is an easy peasy recipe for peanut butter cups, if you love the Reeses version then these are a great substitute. You don’t get the two separate layers of chocolate/peanut butter but it still tastes awesome and well it’s simple! There are lots of far fancier recipes online if you want the real deal.

Peanut Butter Cups

You will need:

200g of good quality milk chocolate – I’ve used Cadburys dairy milk which was fab but yesterday I just used Aldi own brand (30p a bar) and that was pretty good too.
1/2 a cup of peanut butter ( smooth if you like the reeses texture) this time I used crunchy Skippy peanut butter which was delicious.

Using a Pyrex glass bowl over a saucepan of simmering water melt your chocolate slowly before adding your peanut butter and slowly melting/stirring to combine.

Once you have a gorgeous silky chocolatey peanut mixture feel free to taste (be careful) and add more peanut butter if needed.

Remove from heat and spoon into cupcake cases. This made about 8. Don’t overfill your cases as these are very rich and you will find it very hard to eat more than one in one sitting. Place in the freezer on a cupcake/muffin tray for 45 minutes then refrigerate in a sealed box for as long as they last.

Baileys chocolate cupcakes

November 13, 2012 · by munchiesandmunchkins · 6 Comments

Last week I was invited to my sister in laws baby shower, I was orderd by my mum to make cakes. I have a tried and tested chocolate cupcake recipe which I have used a million times and knew that I would use it again but I fancied something different. So I ended up making 2 different batches of cupcakes, one with a subtle orange flavour added and one with Baileys.. Well I’m kind of telling a lie here as what I used here and is Lidl Irish cream. It’s super tasty and only about £4 so I highly recommend it. I decided to make chocolate orange cakes also as my sister mentioned that not everyone likes Baileys.. Hmmm I am not convinced but hey ho I made two batches.

Anyway here is the Baileys cupcake recipe:

You will need:

For the cakes

100g plain flour
140g caster sugar
1.5tsp baking powder
20g Hershey’s cocoa powder
110ml whole milk
Pinch of ground seasalt
40g softened butter
1 egg
20ml of Irish cream/Baileys
1tsp of vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 180 (gas mark 4)
If I have time I cream the butter/sugar and gradually introduce ingredients as you would with a normal cake recipe but last time I did the all in method which pretty much meant throwing it all in a bowl and beating with a wooden spoon or a whisk if you are lazy. The all in method tasted the same as the more laborious traditional method so I know what I will do from now on. Once you have a smooth consistency with no lumps ( try not to over mix) spoon into 12 cupcakes cases and bake for 20 minutes. You can tell when they are done as they will spring back when lightly pressed.

For the buttercream

375g icing sugar
25g Hershey’s cocoa
125g softened butter
50ml Irish cream or Baileys
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Beat the butter until soft and creamy, mix in your Baileys and vanilla before gradually sifting in your I icing sugar and cocoa together. You can pipe your buttercream to get a lovely swirled effect however my piping bag broke so I use a spoon and just swirled it myself and it looks ok!

These were pretty delicious and would make a lovely gift for someone.

They taste best on day of cooking but the cake can be frozen and buttercream added when required. They freeze very well.

Enjoy xxxx

What is Fairtrade??

For the cake:

Coffee Fudge buttercream filling:

One Minute Fudge Frosting:

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