Dining Dining - Chocolate Stirrers

I can't believe I'm about to write this post at the end of August, but yet I'm sat here writing it.

Its dark outside and I'm sat with my cardigan on (I sound 90 not 20 something). It makes me realise that like it or not autumn is coming. To be honest autumn is my favourite time of the year - its not too cold outside and the colours are unbelievable.
So whilst I'm sat here thinking of autumn it started to make me think about what my first dining dining post could be about, and then in a blinding flash it came to me CHOCOLATE STIRRERS.

They make great gifts so if you're already starting to think about Christmas make sure you've got the supplies to make these!

What you need....

* Great quality chocolate - Not cooking chocolate unless you're particularly partial
* Wooden Lollipop Sticks
* Ice cube tray - or other silicone mould

How to make them......

1) Firstly you need to melt your chocolate.
Personally i prefer using a double boiler (bowl on top of a pan of boiling water - if like me you didn't know it had a name). I'm not good with microwaving chocolate - i tend to burn rather than melt!

2) Have your Lollipop Sticks to hand.
Or any other "handle" you want to use - to be honest you can use all manner of things for this from lolly sticks to candy canes to the ends of spoons.

3) Pour your melted chocolate into the ice cube or silicone mould.
At this point you need to leave your chocolate blocks to "set" partially. This is the hardest bit - no pinching now!!! Although you could eat any remaining chocolate from the bowl!!!

4) When your chocolate block is partially set, add your handle/lollipop stick.

5) Leave the chocolate to harden completely - do what I do and stick them in the fridge!

.......Then comes the best part.......eating/drinking the hot chocolate!

To use the chocolate stirrer....

1) Heat up some milk - enough to fill a mug + a bit extra!

2) Use your chocolate stirrer to melt the chocolate block

3)......Enjoy!!!

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If you'd rather buy than make...check out these fab on-line stores:

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