A few weeks ago I was flipping through an old Real Living Australia magazine and stumbled on a recipe that I thought I could use for Easter gifts this year. Alas, whilst the concept was a good one, after two attempts I can say that it was a total disaster!
I'd intended to make crunchy, honey rich honeycomb and whilst I managed to get the flavours perfect, it was more toffee than crunchy. So disappointing but determined not to waste it, I decided to use it in my good old faithful Rocky Road recipe as a bit of a twist on a treat that I made last year.
The recipe for the honeycomb (or in my case, sticky toffee) was quite straight forward if you want to give it a go yourself:
1 1/3 cups Raw Castar sugar
2 tbs water
2 tbs Golden syrup
2 tbs Honey
3 tsp Bi carb sods
1 - Combine everything EXCEPT the bi carb soda and bring to the boil on the stove for approx. 10 minutes.
2 - Add bi carb soda whilst the mix is still really hot and whisk quickly. The mixture will double/triple in size so make sure you have a big enough pot to allow for this.
3 - Pour mix into a greaseproof paper lined tin and allow to cool on the bench-top for 2 hours.
4 - Drizzle with melted chocolate if you so desire.
Anyhoo, all was not lost, as I said, I managed to salvage the concept by making rocky road which I individually wrapped along with a few little easter eggs.
Not as pretty as I'd usually make it look but I'm a little sleep deprived today (thanks Ewan) and so I hurried the end result. Hey it all tastes the same in the end doesn't it!
If you are looking for something a bit special to make for your loved ones, here's another idea for you. A good friend of mine, Shannon, is blogging on Saturday 30th March, how you can make these awesome looking truffles (which she has made - how awesome do they look). To see how she makes them go to www.giraffedays.com. I'm certainly going to have a go. Happy Easter everyone.
Here's the direct link to the truffles post, Alex: http://www.giraffedays.com/?p=15907
ReplyDeleteI've tried making honeycomb in the past and I could never get it hard and crunchy either, it was always quite chewy and bendy. Yummy but you could always taste the bicarb too, so I kinda gave up. (I also tried making peanut brittle once but that didn't work at all - I bought a candy thermometer so I could make it but never got around to it.)
Hmmm, makes you wonder what the lolly companies make the honeycomb crunchy doesn't it! Re assuring tho that it isn't just me that has tried but failed in making it. I think I'll just stick to buying it at the store from here on in!
DeleteThanks for the link for the truffles. I must admit I looked for it on Saturday but you must have still been asleep but it wasn't there yet. They look so yummy, they're on my "to do list" to give a try.
Anyhoo, bed time for me. I do have to mention tho that Hugh is a bloody cute kid. That last pic you put on Facebook was gorgeous. Can't wait to meet the little tacker.