Holiday Chocolate Crunch Food

CHRISTMAS CRUNCH

Steps:

• Spread a couple sheets of parchment paper, wax paper, or two silpats on the countertop then set aside.
• Add puffcorn, pretzels, and peanuts to a very large bowl - if you don't have an XL bowl, use two large bowls - then set aside.
• Add chocolate chips and coconut oil to a medium-sized, microwave-safe bowl then microwave for 40 seconds and stir. Microwave for 30 seconds then stir. If chocolate chips aren't completely smooth, continue microwaving in 10 seconds increments, stirring between increments, until completely melted.
• Drizzle chocolate over puffcorn mixture then gently fold with a spatula until everything is evenly coated. Spread mixture out onto prepared surface then sprinkle with M&Ms (may not use whole bag) and press gently so they adhere to the warm chocolate. Add sprinkles then let cool completely. Transfer to treat bags or an airtight container.

CHOCOLATE CRUNCH

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Butter a 20cm square tin and line with baking parchment. Stir the melted butter and vanilla together in a bowl. Mix the caster sugar, flour and cocoa together in another bowl.
• Pour the bowl of wet ingredients into the dry and beat together, then add the egg and beat again until combined. Press into the prepared tin. Brush the top with water and sprinkle over the granulated sugar.
• Bake for 30-35 mins. Leave to cool slightly in the tin for 5 mins before slicing into squares and transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

HOLIDAY HOT CHOCOLATE

Steps:

• Heat 3 cups milk, 2 tablespoons light brown sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla and a pinch of salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisking, until the milk is steaming and the sugar dissolves. Gradually add 4 ounces each chopped semisweet and bittersweet chocolate, whisking until melted. Cook, whisking occasionally, until smooth. (Note: This is an extra-thick European-style hot chocolate.) Serve with mini marshmallows, peppermint sticks, whipped cream, mini chocolate chips, toasted coconut or other toppings.

CHOCOLATE CARAMEL CRUNCH PIE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Break the graham crackers into small pieces and place in a food processor. Pulse to blend into fine crumbs. Add the butter, cocoa powder and salt and pulse, in 2 second intervals, until combined and the consistency of wet sand. Press the mixture into and up the sides of a 9-inch pie plate. Bake until toasted and fragrant, about 8 minutes. Cool before filling, about 15 minutes.
• Scoop the dulce de leche into a medium bowl. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the walnuts, chocolate chunks and orange zest. Pour the filling into the prepared pie shell and refrigerate until chilled all the way through and set, about 3 hours.
• Just before serving, use a hand-mixer to whip the heavy cream and vanilla in a medium until soft peaks form. Sprinkle the flake salt on the pie, top with the whipped cream and grate the unsweetened chocolate over the top. Serve.

CHOCOLATE CRUNCH BARS

Steps:

• Gently melt the butter, chocolate and syrup in a pan over a low heat, stirring frequently until smooth, then cool for about 10 mins.
• Stir the biscuits and sweets into the pan until well mixed, then pour into a 17cm square tin lined with foil and spread the mixture to roughly level it. Chill until hard, then cut into fingers.