Hot Chocolate Toffee Food

CHOCOLATE TOFFEE

Steps:

• Line a sided sheet pan with a silicone baking mat, or oil it well with vegetable oil (or use a heavyweight nonstick sheet pan).
• Pour the sugar into the center of a saucepan fitted with a candy thermometer. Pour the water around the edge of the pan and wait to allow the water to moisten the sugar. (You can draw a clean finger through the center of the pan to allow some water to seep in.) Add the corn syrup and bring to a boil. Add the butter and boil until the mixture reaches 300 degrees F.
• Turn off the heat and whisk in the cocoa; then stir in the nuts. Quickly pour the mixture onto the center of the prepared pan and let it spread out - it may not reach the sides of the pan. Set aside to cool at room temperature until hard. Using your hands (I wear gloves to avoid fingerprints), pry the toffee out of the pan and break into large pieces. Store in an airtight container. The toffee will keep well for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container.

TOFFEE HOT CHOCOLATE

Steps:

• Heat milk, water, sugar to a boil, remove from heat and stir in chocolate and butterscotch chips until they melt into milk. Pour into small mugs or cups and top with whipped cream swirls and crushed toffee.

HOT HAZELNUT CHOCOLATE-TOFFEE LATTE

Steps:

• Put the hot coffee and some Chocolate-Toffee Syrup in a large mug and mix until combined. Stir in the hot milk, top with some whipped cream and drizzle with more syrup, if desired.
• Cook the sugar in a medium, heavy saucepan over medium heat, undisturbed, until it begins to melt, then continue to cook, stirring slowly with a fork, until melted and pale golden. Continue to cook, swirling the pan, until the sugar is a deep golden caramel.
• Remove from the heat and carefully add the warm cream down side of pan (the mixture will bubble and steam vigorously), return the caramel to the heat, add the chocolate and salt and stir until smooth. Remove the mixture from the heat and stir in the vanilla.
• Yield: about 1 1/2 cups

SELF-SAUCING STICKY TOFFEE CHOCOLATE PUDDING

Steps:

• Put the dates in a bowl and pour in 300ml boiling water. Leave to soak for 30 mins. Meanwhile, make the sauce by tipping all the ingredients, a big pinch of salt and 300ml boiling water into a pan, then whisk over a medium heat and simmer for 2 mins. Pour into a jug and leave to cool slightly. Once the dates are soaked, use a hand blender to blitz the dates and water until you have smooth paste. Leave to cool slightly. Butter a deep 35 x 25cm dish.
• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Beat together the butter and sugar for 3 mins until smooth. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating between each addition. Fold in the flour, bicarb and baking powder along with a pinch of salt. Once combined, mix in the date purée, then fold in the dark chocolate. Pour the sponge batter into the prepared dish and spread out evenly using the back of a spoon. Pour the chocolate sauce evenly over the top of the batter.
• Bake in the oven for 30-35 mins until risen, then leave to rest for 2 mins. Serve warm with a big scoop of ice cream or warm custard.