When there are things to celebrate, alongside cake, chocolates are very much the order of the day. So given that Only Crumbs Remain turned two today, I thought we'd celebrate with chocolate! Though not any box of mass produced shop bought chocolate! We're talking homemade ones here, specifically Hazelnut & Caramel Chocolates! They're similar in may ways to Quality Street's The Purple One, apparently the most popular chocolate in their selection!
But first, the handmade chocolates. Delicious hazelnuts, enveloped in a luscious homemade caramel, encased in a creamy milk chocolate shell! I ask you, what's not to like!
Now, I have to admit that these chocolates aren't exactly perfect. BUT, considering that these are my very first attempt at making this type of homemade chocolate, as well as caramel, and at tempering chocolate (yup, a triple whammy of trying something new!), I'm more than happy with how they've turned out. Mr E was particularly impressed having consumed three in quick succession, and this is the man who doesn't ordinarily eat chocolates!
So, how did I make these handmade Hazelnut & Caramel Chocolates?
Well, dare I say it, relatively easily - assuming you have the right equipment! That's where our giveaway comes in useful! (More of that very soon!) The chocolate moulds were washed and thoroughly dried. Tempered milk chocolate was poured into the mould. The excess was tipped out, leaving the moulds lined with a lovely layer of milk chocolate. The mould was set aside allowing the chocolate to set. The empty chocolate shell was then partially filled with a homemade caramel and half a hazelnut (a whole one seemed too big for the mould's size). Tempered chocolate was then poured over the top of the mould again to create the base of the chocolates. The excess chocolate was then scraped away. The handmade chocolates were then put aside to completely set and firm up before being turned out and devoured!
How to make caramel.
Well, as mentioned already, this was my first time at making caramel. I'd always been daunted at making a caramel sauce, which is oh so perfectly yummy drizzled over ice cream or used within a delicious cake. Having consulted my recipe books and Google I noted that there seemed to be two different ways to make it. Basically, one used water and the other didn't. The water allowed the sugar to dissolve before being heated and allowed to colour before the cream was added, whereas the other method sees the sugar heated in a pan on its own, a more difficult technique. I suspect if you were to consult a pastry chef about the virtues of both methods, they would always make it without water.
But being slightly short of time and not wanting the sugar to burn on the base of our pan I employed what seemed to be the easier method and used a little water to help dissolve the sugar (as is shown in this how to video with a host of top tips for making caramel!) And I can actually confirm it was easy! Far easier than I had imagined it to be! Of course caramel is something which requires close watching, but those few minutes of careful monitoring really rewards you with a luscious caramel sauce which is not only perfect drizzled over ice cream, used in a cake but also as a filling for our handmade Hazelnut & Caramel Chocolates!
How to Temper Chocolate.
I have found the easiest way of tempering chocolate is the seeding method and I have a whole post that explains how to temper chocolate using this method which is worth reading if this is new to you.
Basically it involves melting about ⅔ of the chocolate and then stirring in the remaining chocolate to cool and temper the melted chocolate.
So, here's how to make Handmade Hazelnut & Caramel Chocolates!
surprising not as difficult to make as you might imagine. These
handmade hazelnut & caramel chocolates are just the ticket to
mark a celebration, or just to say 'thankyou'!
Prep time: 5 mins Hands on time: about 40 mins + setting time Yield: approx 15 chocolates
Specific Equipment
Large heavy based pan, which holds a volume of about 3L
Digital Sugar / Chocolate Thermometer or Thermospatula
1 x glass heatproof bowl
1 x long Sharp Knife
1 x Chocolate Mould
1 x Disposable Piping Bag
For the Caramel and Hazelnut Filling
- 100ml Water
- 225g Granulated Sugar
- 200ml Single Cream
- Blanched Hazelnuts (you may need to half them depending upon the size of the moulds)
For Chocolate Shell
- 350g Milk Chocolate (see note a)
Notes:
a) The quantity of chocolate used may seem excessive, but it is incredibly difficult to temper a small amount. The excess chocolate could be used in a brownie recipe (for instance) or poured into some greaseproof paper for use another day. b) The temperature of the caramel will determine the thickness of it. We heated ours to 104℃ / 219℉, but just 5 degree less would make it runnier and a five degree more making it almost like toffee. c) Remember, caramel is incredibly hot! Do stir it carefully but thoroughly once the cream has been added so as to avoid splashing yourself. d) Keep animals, children and other vulnerable people out of the way when making caramel. e) The excess caramel could be used to decorate a cake, or even enjoy it over ice cream.
Victoria Bazley
Dark Chocolate Strawberry Creams
Emily Fraser
Strawberry Creme 🙂
Rebecca Wilson
I love salted caramel anything. Bliss in a mouthful xx
Margaret Gaskell
I love the green triangles in QS. But actually I love all chocolate. Great competition thanks for the chance to win such a great prize. Congratulations on 2 years of blogging, may you enjoy many more.
Anonymous
The purple one is my favourite x
Sarah Birkett
The strawberry one, and then the orange one is a very close second
Elisabeth Ries
I like the Orange Creams, but the Purple Ones are lovely too.
Mel Turner
The caramel
weir shane
I love the fudge! - leanne w
Lucy Major
I love the red wrapper - strawberry one! 🙂
Claire Thorpe
Has to be the pink wrapper - the Fudge
Corinne Henson
The Green Praline one
Sharon Martin
i love quality street toffee fingers
Kerry Taylor
The purple one - I love nuts in chocolate, and the caramel just finishes it!
Cerys John
The orange crunch one!
Caroline
My favourite is the green triangle ones.
Johannah Carroll
The Purple one's always gone first in our house, closely followed by the green triangle. x
Anonymous
I'm not really a Quality Street fan, but would choose the green triangle over the other types.
Susan Hoggett
yes the purple one is my fave!
April Colley
Strawberry Cream every time!
fozia Akhtar
The caramel
linda griffiths
the purple one
Elizabeth Hinds
I love the caramels - the hard ones and the velvet ones! Just yum 🙂
allybruce
The purple one is actually my favourite
Brandon
Triangle!
Natalie Crossan
The triangle xx
Louise A
I like the coconut eclairs, my favourites used to be the cracknell ones but they discontinued those
Anonymous
The Green Triangle
@rachiegr
Allan Fullarton
I love the strawberry ones.
Krzysia Bi
The purple one comes a very close second to the green triangle.
KatyMalkin
Definitely the green triangle
KatyMalkin
Definitely the green triangle
Alison
The green triangle!
Anonymous
The strawberry cream! MichelleD
sheridarby
I really like the green triangle and the orange cream
Marc H
Honeycomb crunch.
Skye
The green one for me!
@fionaseaeagle
Joe
I'm with the Orange Cream. We had a debate in work about this and everyone said the Orange Creams are disgusting, I disagree so much! They're lovely!
Chloe Davies
The coconut one!
krnries
I go for the fudge in every selection box!
Lizzie Morris
The green triangle is the one for me
Zoe G
The fudge one
rugmaker
The green triangle
Lee R
always strawberry cream for me. Not a fan of the purple one!
Rennene Hartland
The Strawberry one is my fave
Debbie Melville
The purple one 🙂
Periwinkle
The green triangle is lush! My fave!
Justine Meyer
I love the strawberry ones x
Amy Bondoc
The toffee penny is my favourite
Amy Bondoc
The toffee penny is my favourite
Daphne
It used to be the orange cream but they don't do it anymore 🙁 Strawberry bream is my second favourite 🙂
tubbyj
I am a purple man
Victoria Dixon
The Strawberry Creme is my favourite by far! I pick them all out of the box and I don't share them 😀 xx
Kimberley Jackson
the purple one 😀 😀
pinkiestlady
My favorite is definitely the Strawberry Delight 😛
Sam Macaree
toffee finger
glennamy
Yes the purple one is my fav in QS! 🙂
Lorraine Stone
The green triangle, hazelnut noisette. Yummy and the only triangle shaped one so I hear! 🙂
Andrew Hindley
The Purple one
Sarah Pybus
Im torn between the toffee penny and the fudge depending on my mood 🙂
Allan
The toffee penny
LynneH
My favourite has always been The Green One
Kate
The purple one is for sure my favourite - although I am partial to a golden barrel or two!
Jo Ford
Green triangle!
Anonymous
I love strawberry cream and coffee creams - yum! (@PeanutHog)
Car Problem
I like the one with the hazelnut in the middle of it. I always go for the nutty ones first.
twinlay06
The purple one, those large ones you can buy are for me
kellyG
The caramel barrel
Carole Nott
my favourite is the purple one every time - love the soft toffee
nelliedean
I like the green triangle best.
Anonymous
I'm all about the coconut ones! Definitely need to try this recipe
Sarah Ann
I love the Orange Cremes...they are so delicious! I've never tried making my own chocolates but these sound wonderful!
carole parker
Caramel x
Tracy Hanley
I love the Vanilla Fudge
MANDY DOHERTY
The Green Triangle is my favourite
Hannah
Mine is definitely the green triangle, I'm a sucker for anything praline or similar! Happy Birthday to your blog Angela, and here's to many more successful years to come ☺
Anonymous
toffee finger
Chez Hadfield
I love the green triangle
Amy Jacobson
I love the green triangle!
Shelby Rose
It's pretty hard to resist any of them apart from the toffee ones urgh lol but I love the chunky chocolate one in a green wrapper. It's just solid choc what could be better lol, once all those have gone the green triangle.
sona
I love the green triangle x
ElizM
I like all the soft centres and the toffees and the green triangle - it was that ghastly montelimar brittle stuff that I couldn't stand. I'm not sure Quality Street still include it in their selection
Kirsty Hijacked By Twins
Oh wow Angela, these look AMAZING!!! I have so many favourite chocolates, where do I start? I love the purple ones, Ferrero Rocher, Llindt Lindor, so many to choose! Thank you for sharing with #CookBlogShare x
Mark Scott
The green triangle
Beccy rowley
Coconut eclair is my fave
Margaret Gallagher
Toffee penny is my favourite
Amy Pest
the strawberry one
michelle speight
green triangles there are never enough!
harlina
The flat penny toffee ones
Donna caldwell
I love the green triangle ones with the soft chocolate praline centre
Jenny
beautiful chocolates Angela - I cannot believe they are handmade at home! you are so clever! I would love to try one or three x
Rebecca Beesley
I love the green hazelnutty ones! I love the chocolates you have made and what an amazing giveaway. When filling in the rafflecopter, I only entered part of my email for the subsribed to email button and my fingers hit enter too quick - but I have subscribed by email! x
Helen Adams
I love the orange ones
Chonnie Johnston
They look absolutely perfect, I cannot believe you made them by hand. The tempering was perfect! I love all those flavours, like you say the purple one is most peoples favourite, its also mine. Oh and Happy 2nd Birthday #CookBlogShare
frances hopkins
The Pink one x
Corina
My favourite is the purple one too and luckily my husband hates it so there are never any arguments about it! Well not about that particular chocolate anyway!
Rachael Medley
I love any of the toffee ones! Yum! x
Lexx Oliver
Dark chocolate with hazelnuts yum!
Eb Gargano
Happy Blogiversary!!!! So sorry it has taken this long for me to pop over and congratulate you properly on your blog - I have had a bit of a crazy week and am feeling decidedly under the weather too - so much so my brain has gone completely to mush and it's taking me about twice as long to do everything as it normally would...but anyway huge big congratulations on reaching the grand old age of two. I have loved getting to know you better this year and have enjoyed watching your blog grow and flourish. Here's to many more blogiversaries!! 🙂 Eb x (and sorry but I don't really like Quality Street...too sweet for me!! I'm more of a Lindt 85% girl...but I might make an exception for one of your fab homemade ones!)
Lorna Ledger
Has to be the purple one! It's the caramel and nut!
Sheena Batey
I like the fudge best which is pretty good as they are the ones that get left.
Hannah Scudder
The green triangle!
christine nardone
The purple one is my fav..or the green triangle....or the toffee finger...or..or...I have a lot of favs...lol.. 🙂
Sarah James
Happy Blog Anniversary Angela, your chocolates look perfect. It has to be the Purple ones for me, I'm not so keen on fruit cremes in a chocolate, although I wouldn't say no 🙂 x
andrea upton
I like chocolate hazelnut pralines the best
Louise Fairweather
The purple ones for me! Oh these look fantastic Angela. I have never thought of making my own before #cookblogshare Oh and happy second blogversary!
Kim Plant
the caramels xxx
Iris Tilley
The purple one cos I. Love the gooey caramel
sarah rees
strawberry and orange cremes
Lyndsey Baines
i love the purple one too
Jennifer Haden
I love the green one, but can't remember what that one is 🙂
Lauren Houfe
Strawberry cream are my fave!
Parentingachildwithautism
I love the Purple one too
LESLEY BRADLEY
Oh yes, the purple one, no contest!
Tee Simpson
The penny toffee is my fave
Rachel Curley
Strawberry creams are my favourite
Kim Neville
The green triangle
Kevin Honey
I definitely go with the favourite, the purple one!
Natalie Charman
strawberry creams are my favourite
laura banks
mine is the purple one
Rachael Ashmore
I love the green one ?
Tania Atfield
I love the orange flavour and the purple one
Michelle Ferguson
I like orange creams
Sam Rhodes
Ahh its tough to choose between the strawberry and orange one...hmm...strawberry!! x
Joanne Darnell
The purple one
Alice Dixon
The purple one is also my favourite
Laura Stewart
strawberyy yum yum x 🙂
Katrina
I do like a praline/truffle so i'd say the green triangle- simple yet hits the spot!
Nora
I like the green triangle best
Charles Fletcher
I like the toffee deluxe.
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
Toss up between the purple one and toffee finger. Then again the green triangle is good and......
Lovely post Angela and congrats on the blogs 2nd birthday. Ive done quite a lot of chocolate work now after working on the something sweet partwork for over 2 years. I think your chocolates look amazing for a first attempt. Best tip i received during that time for tempering chocolate was from Paul A Young and that is to melt the chcolate slowly and leave it melted for as long a possible ideally a couple of hours before tempering. It really helps.
carowood
Orange creams for me
mellysocks
The Purple one is the first one I go for too,I try and snaffle them all!
clair downham
strawberry creme thankyou
Tracy K Nixon
I love the fudge! (pink wrapper!)
Tracey Peach
100% the Strawberry Cream Chocolate It's the first one I reach in & take 🙂 x
Abigail Cullen
The green triangle.
sb
the purple one
Lucy Locket
toffee fingers are my favourite
Anca
I love dark chocolate, the more intense, the better.