Easter & the egg

… the chocolate version that is.

Now I'm not being a misery but I really object to paying for packaging and very little chocolate and for chocolate that never tastes the same as it does in “bar” form - at astronomical prices. Never has foil and card been so expensive.

I'm not sure what the “bah humbug” equivalent is for Easter but you see where I'm coming from!

So, here's a few ideas for creating your own treats – especially if you want to entertain the kids during the holidays – what about them creating their own Easter treats and gifts.

This first recipe must be 50 years old if it's a day.

Easter Nests

200g plain chocolate, broken into small pieces

30g golden syrup

50g unsalted butter

100g cornflakes

36 mini eggs – 3 per nest -

you could add more if you wish

Makes 12

Place the chocolate, syrup and butter into a bowl and melt over a pan of simmering water.

While this is melting, line a muffin tray with 12 paper cases.

Whisk the chocolate mixture together until it's smooth and shiny, then remove from the heat. Add the cornflakes and mix to coat evenly.

Portion out the mixture into nest shapes in the paper cases and put 3 mini eggs in the middle of each. Place in the fridge to set.

I made the nests using rice krispies and milk chocolate. You could mix plain and milk chocolate if you preferred - whatever takes your fancy, but I hope you'll agree the ingredients won't break the bank.

A helpful note or two about chocolate :

When melting, do so in a large bowl.

No water and/or metal in the bowl.

Do not overheat, gently does it.

Leave melting chocolate alone – resist the urge!

Ensure that the simmering water does not touch the bottom of the bowl. It should be the steam from the water that melts the chocolate.