Easter Recipe: Chocolate Eggs!
Happy, happy Easter, dear readers!
In this time where are all homebound and unable to celebrate or shop for this auspicious occasion, being home with all the time in the world, we are all trying our new recipes and DIY things to do at home.
This one's a bit different and I promise, will be a welcome change when you see how easy this recipe of chocolate eggs, is to make!
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients
200g good-quality milk chocolate
About 36% cocoa solids
To decorate
200g good-quality white chocolate
Pink food colouring gel (optional)
100g plain chocolate, 70% cocoa solids (optional)
Equipment you'll need
Silicone Easter egg mould (made of two halves)
A wide artist's brush or clean pastry brush
A kitchen thermometer that can read low temperatures
Cotton or plastic kitchen gloves
A box, plus shredded paper or tissue to protect the egg
Directions:
Wash each half of your Easter egg mould with hot soapy water and a soft sponge, then dry carefully. Using a ball of cotton wool, buff the inside of the mould. The better the shine on the mould, the better the finish on the chocolate.
Melt then temper the white chocolate for the brush strokes
Colour half the melted white chocolate with a little of the gel if you want, then brush graphic stripes of chocolate onto the moulds. Let each colour set before you add the next (setting is really speedy if you've achieved good temper). Go over some stripes twice, to make the colours pop out. Repeat the melting and tempering process with the dark chocolate, if you like.
Line a baking sheet with parchment. Melt and temper the milk chocolate. Half-fill one mould with the chocolate, then tip it this way and that to completely cover the mould.
Pour the excess back into the chocolate bowl, and scrape a palette knife across the mould to clean it up. Repeat with the other half of the egg. Set the moulds, flat-side down, on the lined sheet. Transfer to the fridge and leave to set for about 10 mins.
When the chocolate is solid, flex the moulds to gently release. You will see the air slowly creepy its way between the plastic and the shiny, hard chocolate. Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4.
Heat a baking sheet in the oven until warm. Put the gloves on (prevents fingerprints) and pick up one side of the egg and carefully rub the flat edge of the egg on the tray to melt it a little.
Repeat with the second side.
Hold the melted edges of the egg together for a few moments until they stick. Wipe away any excess, then leave the egg to set in the fridge for a few mins. The egg is now ready to give or wrap up for Easter. Store in a cool place away from fluctuating temperatures.
You can choose to fill your eggs with candy if you like! The world is your Easter egg (read: oyster!)
Enjoy!