Christmas pudding truffles…

Apologies as I have to admit I have been suffering from a case of bloggers block, leading to rather a lack of posts over the past few weeks…but Christmas treats have given me inspiration!
Tonight I indulged in a little truffle making. I say indulged purely because it is not something I do regularly and it is generally only a special occasion that beckons me to chocolate.
Nigellas Christmas pudding bonbons caught my eye last year, but I had my hands full with so many other handmade bits and a new baby that this one I had to pass on. Tonight though I had a few spare minutes and whipped these babies up in no time (well the first bit anyway!).
Nigella was the inspiration but this is not her recipe, it has been tinkered with (as I do)
Not to be funny…but disposable rubber gloves will help with this recipe!

christmas pudding truffles yeild approx 42

truffle mix
600g leftover cooked/cooled christmas pudding (I don’t see why you couldn’t use Christmas cake)
400g milk or dark chocolate – good quality gives the best result
2 Tablespoons golden syrup
60ml brandy (you could use rum, sherry or any other dark spirit that you like really)

decoration
Choose one or all…
50g chocolate melted -white, dark or white whichever takes your fancy
Coconut thread
Cocoa powder
Sliced or chopped nuts

truffles
Melt chocolate in a bowl over a pot of simmering water, or in the microwave very carefully. Chocolate needs to be looked after and stirred constantly if melting in the microwave. If you are doing it on the stovetop, ensure not to get any water into the chocolate by accident as it will harden it.
Crumble your pudding into a bowl, stir in golden syrup and brandy
Stir in melted chocolate until well combined
Put on your gloves if you have them…
Roll the mix into truffle sized balls and rest on a baking tray lined with baking paper or clingfilm.
Chill them in the fridge for 2-3 hrs or overnight

decoration
When ready to decorate, melt your chocolate then dip the balls in using a toothpick to turn them about and coat well.
Once coated return to the lined baking tray to set.
Similarly coat in the coconut, nuts or cocoa depending on what you like
These will last in a cool airtight container for up to 2 weeks and make a great little homemade gift too. Its not too late given I only started mine today… Get truffling!

Simple Christmas decorations

I was inspired to make a ribbon Christmas tree on our wall that I had seen similar in a magazine.  The main reason being our busy (and frighteningly strong) little boy Finn is very likely to pull down any real Christmas tree at this point in time…Also we are heading on holiday the week prior to Christmas so the tree would have to come down anyhow.  Nothing worse than coming back from holiday to a dead tree in the living room;  I find it quite sad!

I also made the star on the top with iceblock sticks glued together; I like the natural look hence have not painted it

I have made some simple little wooden stars out of the same iceblock sticks (available from the craft store, you don’t have to eat a freezer full of ices!)

I simply glued the sticks in place, then wrapped a ribbon around the centre of the star

I then fixed them to the wall, so easy!  They would look fabulous hanging from the ceiling in a cluster or from the christmas tree