By Katie Bryson
Try your hand at making this home made honeycomb dipped in melted chocolate. It's perfect for putting in little bags tied with pretty ribbon for festive gifts to give to teachers, friends and relatives.
Prep Time: 10 minutes, plus settingCook Time:
15 minutes
Ingredients:
400g caster sugar
75g honey
140g liquid glucose (available in tubes in the baking aisle at supermarkets)
4 tsp bicarbonate of soda
200g dark chocolate
Instructions:
1. Line 2 baking sheets with greaseproof paper. Put the caster sugar, honey, liquid glucose and five tablespoons of water into a tall saucepan with a heavy bottom and put on a gentle heat and stir to combine.
2. Once the sugar has melted turn up the heat and using a sugar thermometer simmer until the mixture reaches 140C and is changing to a golden colour. Immediately turn off the heat and quickly stir in the the bicarbonate of soda, mixing thouroughly until it's combined. It will froth up quite dramatically so be careful!
3. Quickly and carefully pour onto your prepared baking sheets, and leave it to set. Once completely cooled and hardened, lift it out of the tin onto a board and bash with a rolling pin into chunks.
4. Chop the dark chocolate and place in a heatproof bowl and either melt in short blasts in the microwave or over a pan of simmering water.
5. Dip each chunk of honeycomb into the melted chocolate until fully coated, tapping on the side of the bowl to get rid of any excess then pop onto the lined baking sheet to set.
6. Pop a handful into clear cellophane bags, tie with ribbon and give as gifts. Store in a cool place or the fridge if not giving immediately.
Tip: You need to keep a very close eye on the sugar mixture as it's coming up to temperature. It takes seconds to go too far and will taste burnt and horrible.