gifts

Make your own hot cocoa mix or hot chocolate mix to keep in the pantry with this easy recipe. All you have to do is add hot water when you want a cup!

How to Make Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix

confectioners' sugar

c. unsweetened cocoa powder

c. milk dry milk

Love this so much. Not a big marshmallow fan so I added a little Sugar free Peppermint coffee creamer and FF Whipped cream it was wonderful.
In case you are wondering fat free powdered milk and substitute sugar free confectioner sugar still make a Devine beverage treat.

I would like to know how much spices I could add, like cinnamon!

Surprise your family and friends with this fragrant mulled gin.

Mulled gin recipe

caster sugar

cinnamon

star anise

cloves

orange rind

http://resources.newscdn.com.au/cs/video/vjs/stable/build/index.html?id=5348771529001-6151721375001&=domain=taste

5348771529001-6151721375001

This recipe for a Christmas tree of cookies is stunning yet comes together simply from star-shaped sugar cookies decorated and stacked from large to small.

Christmas Tree Of Cookies

Basic Royal Icing

Confectioners' sugar, glitter sugar, shiny baubles and snowflakes

Toothpicks

Cookie Cutters: Up to 6 different-sized 5-pointed stars

Pastry bag

Christmas Tree of Cookies

Roll out your cookie dough on a lightly floured work surface to the thickness specified in the recipe. Cut about 5 or 6 cookies in each star size—maybe a few more to allow for breakages and decorating goofs. Bake as directed. Let cool.

Outline each star with white piping icing. If desired, dust the cookies with silver glitter sugar and add a silver bauble to each star point using white piping icing as glue. Let dry.

Take a pretty plate and, starting with the largest stars, stack them on top of each other using white piping icing to “glue” each layer together and giving each additional star a quarter turn to make the helix shape. Let dry completely about halfway through so you have a stable platform on which to stack the smaller stars. It&#8217;s a good idea to make this tree close to where you&#8217;re going to eat it.

Vanilla Slice Recipe

puff pastry

custard powder

cream

milk

vanilla essence

icing sugar

tsp Lurpak Butter

water

http://resources.newscdn.com.au/cs/video/vjs/stable/build/index.html?id=5348771529001-6207190807001&=domain=br

5348771529001-6207190807001

An amazingly easy slice that will make the taste buds dance!

Rocky Road Recipe

milk chocolate melted

coconut

110 g Turkish delight chopped

peanuts chopped

http://resources.newscdn.com.au/cs/video/vjs/stable/build/index.html?id=IxZGxkYjE6BCFGI-JcJHXF8ygXXiZEhq&=domain=br

IxZGxkYjE6BCFGI-JcJHXF8ygXXiZEhq

Coffee Fudge Slice

butter

brown sugar

tbs coffee

plain flour

self-raising flour

cocoa powder

walnuts chopped

tbs water

http://resources.newscdn.com.au/cs/video/vjs/stable/build/index.html?id=5348771529001-6030889013001&=domain=br

5348771529001-6030889013001

This has a kick, but won’t blow your head off, and goes well with any selection of cold cuts of meat

Sweet chilli jam

red peppers, deseeded and roughly chopped

red chillies, roughly chopped

fresh root ginger, peeled and roughly chopped

garlic cloves,

cherry tomatoes

golden caster sugar

milliliters red wine vinegar

Tip the peppers, chillies (with seeds), ginger and garlic into a food processor, then whizz until very finely chopped. Scrape into a heavy-bottomed pan with the tomatoes, sugar and vinegar, then bring everything to the boil. Skim off any scum that comes to the surface, then turn the heat down to a simmer and cook for about 50 mins, stirring occasionally.

Once the jam is becoming sticky, continue cooking for 10-15 mins more, stirring frequently so that it doesn’t catch and burn. It should now look like thick, bubbling lava. Cool slightly, transfer to sterilised jars, then leave to cool completely. Keeps for 3 months in a cool, dark cupboard – refrigerate once opened.

A superb homemade relish to use as an accompaniment with cold meat and salad, or on sandwiches. Best made from homegrown tomatoes to really bring out the tomato flavour. I have made one or two batches of this relish each year for many years and everyone that I give a jar to absolutely loves it.

Tomato Relish Recipe

tomatoes

kg onions

salt

sugar

tbs curry powder

mustard powder

cayenne pepper

L white vinegar

tbs cornflour

http://resources.newscdn.com.au/cs/video/vjs/stable/build/index.html?id=5348771529001-6030939537001&=domain=br

5348771529001-6030939537001

Chutneys are fantastic presents because they really improve with age and go brilliantly with Christmas cheeses and cold meats

Apple & cranberry chutney

1kg cooking apples,

eating apple, peeled and chopped into large chunks

onion, sliced

fresh root ginger, finely chopped

tsp peppercorns

granulated sugar

milliliters cider vinegar

cranberry

Place all ingredients except cranberries in a large heavy-based saucepan, then gently heat, stirring, until the sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil, then reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for about 50 mins, stirring regularly until the apples and onions are tender, the mixture has thickened and no watery juice remains.

Add the cranberries, then cook for a further 10 mins or so until just softened but not burst.

Spoon the hot chutney into sterilised jars and seal (see instructions below). Store unopened in a cool, dark place. The chutney will keep for up to 6 months. Chill on opening.

Peppermint Creams

Milk

peppermint essence

3-5 Drops Green Food Colouring

Icing Sugar (Powdered)

Good Quality Chocolate (I used Cadbury Old Gold Dark)

Optional White Chocolate

Prepare a tray or two with baking paper...

Prepare a tray or two with baking paper (I spray lightly with cooking spray so paper sticks to tray)

In a large saucepan place butter, 3 TBSP...

In a large saucepan place butter, 3 TBSP milk, essence and colouring in a pan and heat slowly until butter is melted. DO NOT BOIL

Remove from the heat and cool slightly

Add Icing sugar and mix well to form...

Add Icing sugar and mix well to form a soft ball - if not coming together easily then add an extra tablespoon of milk to make pliable dough or more if necessary - mix with hands too to see if ball forms.

Taste at this stage to see if it...

Taste at this stage to see if it has enough essence flavour and add a few drops more if need be.

Turn mixture on to a bench sprinkled with...

Turn mixture on to a bench sprinkled with icing sugar and knead into a ball.

Roll out to 1cm thickness.

I used an icing tip to cut my...

I used an icing tip to cut my circles as it is the perfect size, but you can use a small cookie cutter or lid, anything that will give you desired shape that is hanging around in the back of your drawer!

Cut into rounds and set aside on a...

Cut into rounds and set aside on a tray covered in baking paper.

Melt the chocolate in a double boiler or...

Melt the chocolate in a double boiler or the microwave. If you do it in the microwave heat for 30 seconds then stir, then melt for a further 10 seconds at a time stirring in between until it is just completely melted.

I did a few different methods of decorating,...

I did a few different methods of decorating, see below for more instructions on each style.

Cool these in the fridge - I keep...

Cool these in the fridge - I keep mine in the fridge until it is time to serve as it is summer here but in cooler months these should be ok out of the fridge for a time.

The earthy taste of beetroot is an ideal match for bitter sweet dark chocolate in these delectable cupcakes.

Beetroot & chocolate cupcakes

Canola oil spray

(about 375 grams) beetroot bulbs, peeled

(1 3/4 cups) self-raising flour

(1/4 cup) cocoa powder

tsp mixed spice

(1 cup, firmly packed) dark brown sugar

eggs,

butter, melted

dark chocolate, melted, cooled

tsp vanilla extract

Betty Crocker Creamy Deluxe Rich Chocolate Fudge Frosting, to decorate

These brownie slices are a heavenly combination of chocolate and creamy cheesecake.

Cheesecake brownies

butter,

dark cooking chocolate,

butter, chopped

eggs

(1/2 cup) plain flour

(1 cup) caster sugar

tbsp Cocoa Powder

pkt cream cheese,

(1/4 cup) sour cream

This spicy chilli jam makes two cups which means you can give one cup to friend and  keep the other for yourself.

Chilli jam

(about 2 medium) red capsicums, halved, deseeded, roughly chopped

(about 2 large) ripe tomatoes, roughly chopped

fresh red chillies (like serrano

milliliterss (1/2 cup) white wine vinegar

(2 cups) sugar

(1/4 cup) jam setting powder (like Jamsetta)

Warm caramel over the top makes this chocolate almond slice irresistible.

Chocolate almond slice

good-quality dark cooking chocolate (like Plaistowe Cooking Chocolate), chopped

(1/2 cup) caster sugar

egg, lightly whisked

(1 1/2 cups) plain flour

flaked almonds

milliliterss (1/2 cup) honey

butter, roughly chopped

(1/2 cup, firmly packed) brown sugar

tbsp thin cream

Dip into this best-rated chocolate cupcakes recipe. Once you taste it, you'll see why it's come up trumps!

Fiona's favourite chocolate cupcakes

(2 cups) self-raising flour

(1/2 cup) cocoa powder

tsp baking powder

(3/4 cup) caster sugar

eggs, lightly whisked

(1/2 cup) Greek-style yoghurt

butter, melted, cooled slightly

Cadbury Favourites chocolates, halved

(1 1/4 cups) pure icing sugar, sifted

white chocolate, melted, cooled slightly

The challenge of making choux pastry will be so worth it when you get to gobble one of these cream-filled, chocolate-topped eclairs.

Chocolate eclairs

thickened cream

tsp caster sugar

NESTLÉ BAKERS' CHOICE Dark Choc Melts

eggs, lightly beaten

https://resources.newscdn.com.au/cs/video/vjs/stable/build/index.html?id=5348771529001-5754575246001&=domain=taste

5348771529001-5754575246001

For the perfect after-dinner delight try these easy chocolate truffles made with cream cheese, dark chocolate, chopped walnuts and shredded coconut.

Easy chocolate truffles

Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened

Cadbury Melts Real Dark Chocolate

Chopped walnuts, to decorate

Cadbury Bournville Cocoa, to decorate

Shredded coconut, to decorate

Impress guests after dinner with hand-rolled and decorated chocolate truffles – they make sensational gifts, too!

Perfect chocolate truffles

pkts good-quality dark chocolate, chopped

tbsp rum

Cocoa powder, desiccated coconut, chopped nuts

Create a fairytale Christmas for five loved ones with these crafty gingerbread boxes.

Top 40 gifts recipes from across the web

The most viewed gifts recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 6,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engineic_arrow_forward_48px

Top Tags

How to Make Homemade Hot Chocolate ...

Mulled gin recipe

Christmas Tree Of Cookies

Vanilla Slice Recipe

Rocky Road Recipe

Coffee Fudge Slice

Sweet chilli jam

Tomato Relish Recipe

Apple & cranberry chutney

Peppermint Creams

Beetroot & chocolate cupcakes

Cheesecake brownies

Chilli jam

Chocolate almond slice

Fiona's favourite chocolate cupcake...

Chocolate eclairs

Easy chocolate truffles

Perfect chocolate truffles

Gingerbread boxes

Quick chocolate panforte

Chocolate Pan Forte

Beetroot relish

Salt dough decorations

Perfectly Moist Pumpkin Bread

White chocolate, cranberry and maca...

Flourless Orange Cake Recipe

2-Ingredient Hot Fudge

Birdseed Slice Recipe

Peanut Butter Chocolate Brownies

White Chocolate and Banana Mud Cake...

How To Make the Easiest Chocolate F...

Salted caramel fudge

Fairy Biscuits Recipe

Chocolate Slice Recipe

Mars Bar Slice

Recipe: Harvest Crackers with Cranb...

Super-Moist Coconut Lemon Cake Reci...

Little Lemon Custard Cakes Recipe

Deluxe brownies

Easy truffles

The most viewed gifts recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 6,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engine