Category: Chocolate

Allergies, Allergy Free, Baking, Children, Chocolate, Dairy Free, Families, Family Life, Food

Celebrating National Pizza Day With Sweetpea Pantry

by thejoyoffive1 Comment on Celebrating National Pizza Day With Sweetpea Pantry

Who doesn’t like pizza would be an easier question to ask than who does.
Pizza is the the most popular choice when it comes to takeaways with pepperoni coming in as the top choice; and if you thought pizza was a relatively new thing you would be very far from the truth as the first ever pizzeria was opened in Italy way back in 1738!

There are a whole variety of toppings available now and as a family we love evenings of making up our own combinations.

It is the perfect meal to allow everyone to get hands on and pick the things they they really like.

To celebrate National Pizza Day I have joined up with the lovely people at Sweetpea Pantry who challenged us to create on own pizza using their fab Playful Pizza Dough Mix.

A while ago we were lucky enough to try out their Ginger Giggles Biscuit Mix and were more than impressed with the child friendly mixes that are easy to prepare, healthy and great fun.

The Playful Pizza Mix lived up to what I expected and created the perfect base to make our creation.


I decided to steer away from the norm and create a sweet pizza but keeping  sugar to a minimum with a few products that are low in sugar but still taste good.

Take a look and see if it is something you fancy giving a try, it would actually be the perfect treat for Valentine’s Day!

Chocolate Heart Pizza

  • Pack of Playful Pizza Dough
  • 4 tbsp olive oil
  • 50g dairy free milk choc chips
  • 50g dairy free white choc chips
  • 300g Jim Jams reduced sugar hazelnut spread
  • 50g freedom vegetarian mini marshmallows
  • Handful of raspberries
  1. Mix the dough according to the instructions.
  2. Once ready take one of the three dough balls and create a heart shape leaving a slight lip around the edge to create the crust.
  3. Prick the dough with a fork and cook for 10 mins.
  4. Take out and allow to cool slightly.
  5. Next take the hazelnut spread and cover the base.
  6. Sprinkle over the chocolate chips first, followed by the marshmallows and finally add a few raspberries to the very top.
  7. Place under the grill until the marshmallows have slightly toasted and the chocolate has melted slightly.

Let me know if you give this a try as I would love to know what you think!

Allergies, Allergy Free, Arts And Crafts, Children, Chocolate, Crafts, Families, Family Life

Chocolate Playdough Sweets For Valentine’s Day 

by thejoyoffiveLeave a Comment on Chocolate Playdough Sweets For Valentine’s Day 

I am literally going stir crazy this weekend staying in with the children due to number five’s chicken pox!

The only thing for it was get crafting and with Valentine’s Day just round the corner I thought I would try something that would allow the kids to get involved in the celebrations too.

Mine always love playdough so I made an allergy friendly chocolate playdough that they could create chocolates from and wrap up to use in role play.

I used the same recipe that I use for my lavender playdough and just substituted the lavender for cocco powder.

It literally smelt good enough to eat and I had to stop the boys several times from doing so!


They had great fun rolling the balls to form the chocolates but had more fun creating poo!


When the balls were ready I popped them into the freezer for a while to harder up and then wrapped up in a square of cellophane and finished off with a piece of ribbon tied into a bow.


If this looks like something you fancy trying out yourself then take a look at this really simple recipe:

Chocolate Playdough

  • 150g gluten free plain flour
  • 50g salt
  • 2tbsps oil
  • 150g water
  • 4tbsps cocco powder
  1. Place all the dry ingredients into a large mixing bowl.
  2. Add the oil and then slowly add the water until the playdough forms a ball.
Children, Chocolate, Christmas, Families, Family Life, Food, Gifts, Recipes, Uncategorized

Melting Snowmen Christmas Presents

by thejoyoffiveLeave a Comment on Melting Snowmen Christmas Presents

One of my favourite gifts to make at this time of year is chocolate bark. You can use a mixture of so many different  ingredients and it is completely up to you what combinations you choose.

This year I got a resounding ‘no’ when I suggested it again for teachers presents.

I took to the Internet and found a great recipe for melting snowman that I knew would change their mind.

All the recipes I found were American so lots of the ingredients were unavailable over here.

I managed to change things around a little and here is how we made them.


Melting Snowmen

  • 6x200g bars white chocolate with krispies
  • Small amount of orange royal icing 
  • Black sweet beads
  • Handful pretzels 
  • 10 rolos 
  • Shallow baking tray
  • Grease proof paper
  1. Break up the chocolate into a heat proof bowl and melt over a pan of boiling water.
  2. Line a baking tray with greasproof paper and spread the melted chocolate across the whole tray.
  3. Place a rolo side on into the chocolate to create a hat.
  4. Place on two black beads to make the eyes and three more for his buttons.
  5. Roll a small amount of icing to create a nose and place this on the chocolate too.
  6. Lastly break the pretzels into small strips and put onto the chocolate for the arms.
  7. Put the tray into the fridge and allow to harden for a few hours.
  8. Cut into sections and place into cellophane bags.

      Allergies, Allergy Free, Cakes, Children, Chocolate, Dairy Free, Egg Free, Families, Family Life, Food, Lollies

      Allergy Friendly Halloween Ghosts

      by thejoyoffiveLeave a Comment on Allergy Friendly Halloween Ghosts

      When you have a child with allergies times like Halloween can be a bit of a tricky time with treats around every corner.

      I’m planning ahead this year and making sure number four has plenty of treats ready for the weekend ahead.

      One of my easiest and most loved recipes for him are my Rice Krispie lolly pops. 

      I have used the basic ingredients from this and changed it around a little to create these cute ghosts.

      Allergy Friendly Halloween Ghosts 

      • 150g Rice Krispies
      • 3tbsps dairy free spread
      • 320g dairy free white chocolate 
      • Dairy free chocolate drops for face 
      1. Over a low heat melt the butter and marshmallows in a large pan.
      2. Once melted add Rice Krispies until completly covered.
      3. Take a small handful of mixture and mould into an elongated oval shape that is tapered at the end to create a tail.
      4. Place onto greaceproof paper and cool in the fridge for about thirty minutes.
      5. Meanwhile melt the white chocolate in a bowl over the top of a pan of boiling water.
      6. Once the ghosts have hardened up cover the top half in the chocolate, add a few chocolate drops for eyes and a mouth and place back in the fridge to set the chocolate.
      7. Once hardened they are ready to serve.
      Allergies, Allergy Free, Chocolate, Christmas, Diet, Families, Family Life, Food, Gifts

      Christmas In July With Tesco

      by thejoyoffiveLeave a Comment on Christmas In July With Tesco

      Dressed in my new summer dress and sparky gold sandals I stepped out of the hazy heat of the London streets straight into a snow covered winter wonderland!

      No I hadn’t found Narnia-I was experiencing my first Christmas in July event with Tesco.


      The snowy trail lead me straight into a room adorned with pretty decorations that would look perfect in any home on Christmas Eve.


      One of the biggest parts of Christmas for me is the food and Tesco have got this down to a tee with scrumptious chocolates and biscuit selections to share with guests, easy to prepare party food and all the trimmings for the main celebrations.


      I’m always looking for something different to fill my teenage sons stocking as he is the hardest person I know to buy for.  This year Tesco have come up with some wonderful chocolate truffle sprouts that are quirky to look at and delicious to eat!

      With two allergy sufferers in our house Christmas is a tricky time as the majority of goodies are out of bounds.  This year the party selection includes a vast range of products that are free from the majority of the main allergens that can be  popped into the oven and ready super quick which is just what you need at such a busy time of year. 

      I can’t wait to try out the pulled pork bites, crispy cheesy stars and the chicken tikka bites.



      I hosted Christmas for the first time last year and although it was more than a little stressful I throughly enjoyed it have found lots of things I will add to my table this year.

      We are a huge family and everything needs to be on a grand scale but I was really impressed with the Christmas dinner in a box that offers the full works for two for only £25.

      Procecco for me is good at anytime of year but a must at the Christmas table and at only £10 a bottle for this fabulous sparkling wine with flavours of apple, white flowers, citrus, grapefruit and honey you really can’t go wrong.


      Letters to Father Christmas go off early round here and I was very excited to spot a fab new fast shooting Nerf gun that is going to be a must on number four’s list. The famous Sindy is being revived and will be sure to give Barbie a run for her money and brilliant new game from the makers of last years Pie Face that sets you lots of tasks to do whilst wearing a mouth guard!


      Tesco have Christmas well and truly wrapped up this year and nothing has been missed.

      From delectable food to gorgeous decorations, pretty gift wrapping and presents with a different they really have thought of it all.  This will be my go to shop this year and I urge you all to go and take a look.

      Cafes, Cakes, Carshalton, Children, Chocolate, Families, Family Life, Food, Gifts, Reviews, Reviews

      An Unplanned Trip To Dotty’s Teahouse

      by thejoyoffive2 Comments on An Unplanned Trip To Dotty’s Teahouse

      Today after the school drop offs number five and I made our way to meet friends for a morning of soft play.

      Due to arriving on the wrong day we had four upset little ones to pacify after we had let them down!

      I had spoken to my friend about the recently opened Dotty’s Teahouse in Carshalton and we decided to pop in and bribe the children with cake!

      We apprehensively found a table beautifully set up with cute mismatched china and wondered how this was going to pan out with so many inquisitive little fingers with us.

      A lovely lady in a spectacular 50’s style uniform, complete with headscarf came over to inform us there was in fact a great children’s area at the back of the shop that they all immediately took to so we could get on with the important task of choosing from the delicious homemade cakes they have to offer.

      You can’t have a slice of cake without a good cup of tea and with their extensive range of loose leaf teas to chose from there really is something for everyone.

      With a slice of moist, lime sponge for me and a scrumptious chocolate tiffin for number five we spent well over an hour filling our tummies in the beaufiful surroundings.

      There is not only food and drink on offer in this tea house.  There is also a great selection of gifts and cards to chose from that would make really special gifts.
      I am so pleased that our original plans were scuppered and we got the chance to experience everything this teahouse has to offer.

      It makes a welcome change to be able to visit a tearoom as quaint and beautifully decorated as this and feel completely at ease with having little ones with you.  There is plenty of space to manuve buggies and plenty to keep them occupied.

      I would highly recommend popping along to see for yourself everything they have to offer and I know they we will be in very soon to sample some more delicious cake!

      Children, Chocolate, Families, Family Life, Festivals, Food, Picnics, Recipes

      Gooey Chocolate BBQ Cones

      by thejoyoffive3 Comments on Gooey Chocolate BBQ Cones


      We had our first experience of camping at a festival this weekend and I really wanted to try out some tasty treats that were easy to prepare with limited space but we’re still a little bit special.

      We had decided that disposable BBQs were going to be our best friend as we could quickly prepare the food and throw everything away when we were done.

      The whole family has a sweet tooth so something sticky and chocolaty would be the perfect treat.  Take a look at these yummy cones if this is the kind of thing that takes your fancy too!

      Gooey Chocolate BBQ Cones

      Makes 10

      • Pack 10 waffle cones
      • 200g milk chocolate
      • Large pack of marshmallows
      • 120g cadburys nibbles
      • Punnet of strawberries
      1. Break chocolate into pieces, cut marshmallows into half and quarter the strawberries.
      2. Take out the cones and equally divide the chocolate, marshmallows, nibbles and strawberries between each of them.
      3. Wrap the cones separately in tin foil and place on the BBQ when it is just warm at the end of your main cooking.
      4. Leave to warm through for around 10mins, remove and serve.  They would be perfect with a big blob of vanilla ice cream.

      Baking, Cakes, Chocolate, Food

      Elevenses Recipe Book Launch

      by thejoyoffive1 Comment on Elevenses Recipe Book Launch

        

      Stopping for tea and cake at eleven is a quintessentially English tradition that also stands firm in the work place with all of us nipping away from the desk to grab a quick snack.

      Some of use like to opt for the healthy option of a smoothie or a piece of fruit whist others would rather indulge in a chocolaty treat or a nice sticky bun.

      Whatever your preference there is a need for an energy boost at this time as our sugar levels dip and our next meal is not until lunchtime.  So something to tide us over and keep us going for those next few hours is much needed.

      The people at Furniture At Work have compiled a great book with a selection of recipes from a group of Blogger’s, including myself which can offer something from a super healthy treat to something a little bit naughty!

      If you fancy taking a look you can download the link here. There really is something to suit everyone and help you get though that workday.

      Box Hill, Children, Chocolate, Easter, Easter Eggs, Egg hunts, Families, Family Life, Farms, Garden Centres, Gardens, Holidays, Kids Days Out

      Top Easter Activities In And Around Surrey

      by thejoyoffiveLeave a Comment on Top Easter Activities In And Around Surrey

      Easter for us is time with the family, days out and of course lots of chocolate!!

      Why not combine them all and plan a few day trips over the Easter holidays.  I have compiled a few of my top activities that are either in Surrey or only a short drive away.

      Priory Farm

        

      Priory Farm in Nutfield is our go to place whenever we fancy good food and letting off some steam in the fresh air.

      They have a wonderful coffee shop serving hot and cold food with an adjoining play area so you can relax while the little ones play.  A huge pirate ship to climb aboard, garden centre and farm shop selling great products and the highlight for us which is the discovery walk.

      From the 19th March until 11th April the discovery walk will have a spring themed quiz for the little ones to follow and on the 25th March you will be able to take part in their Little Bunnies Easter Hunt.

      Tulleys Farm 

      Tulleys Farm in West Sussex is only a short drive and any event they put on is well worth the trip.

      The farm itself has play areas, a huge farm shop and lots of small animals to take a look at.

      Their events are slightly more expensive than most but you certainly get a lot for your money.

      This year from 25th March to 1st April you can spot eggs whist on a wagon ride, take a look at some beautiful newborn lambs, take part in the egg and bunny hunt, have a go at the duck races and much more.

      Cadbury’s Easter Egg Hunt, National Trust

        

      If you are a follower of my blog you will know my love of National Trust homes and gardens.  They offer the perfect environment to switch off from the fast paced world we live in and just enjoy the beauty of your surroundings.

      Each year they put on fantastic Easter egg hunts that usually involve exploring the grounds looking for clues to fill in on your quiz sheet that can then be taken back to claim your prize.  

      Over the years we have been to Morden Hall and Chartwell, both of which are great.  We tried Box Hill last year but unfortunately so did a lot of other people and we couldn’t get parked!  Saying this the car park has recently been extended so might be worth a go.

      Penshurst Place

        
      I visited Penshurst Place in Kent for the first time last year and was taken back by its beauty.

      The immaculately kept grounds are wonderful to walk round and make the perfect setting for Easter activities.

      This year from 25th March to 10th April they have story telling sessions and crafts to take part in and an Easter hunt all about the animals that live in the grounds.

      On Easter Sunday and Monday Ardvark Productions will be there telling a humorous story of the Easter bunny.

      Bocketts Farm

        

      Bocketts is top of my list for farms in Surrey.  They have fantastic indoor and outdoor play areas, animal handling sessions, tractor rides and their famous pig races that the children love!

      For their Easter Eggstravaganza they have  a trail to follow which leads to to a chocolaty treat at the end, chick and duck handeling, and the chance to get up close to the newborn lambs.

      They are also opening a brand new outdoor play area at the end of March that we can’t wait to try out.

      Painshill 

         

       
      This year we had a trip to Painshill to visit Father Christmas and were astounded by how beautiful the whole place is.

      There are exquisite follies scattered throughout the grounds to explore, with our favourite being the crystal grotto.

      On Easter Sunday and Monday you can go along to take part in their egg hunt to find the eggs scattered through the the grounds to claim your prize at the end.

      I hope that you have found somewhere that takes your fancy and I would love to know how you get on with all your hunting!

        

      Children, Chocolate, Christmas, Families, Family Life, Food, Gifts, Recipes, School

      Candy Cane Bark Gifts For Teachers

      by thejoyoffive1 Comment on Candy Cane Bark Gifts For Teachers

      I always like to make something for the children’s teachers at the end of term as the children can then get involved with the whole process and feel really proud when they hand it over to their teacher.

      This Christmas we have made some yummy candy cane bark which is so easy to do.
      Candy Cane Bark

      • 800g white chocolate
      • Box of 12 candy canes
      • 2tsp peppermint flavouring

      1. In a bowl bash the candy canes until broken into small pieces.
      2. Melt the chocolate in a bowl over a pan of hot water.
      3. Add the broken candy canes and peppermint flavouring to the chocolate and mix well.
      4. Pour the mixture into a shallow baking tray lined with greasproof paper and place in the fridge for around 30/40 mins.
      5. Once hardened break into random pieces.


        
      I took some cellophane and placed the bark into the centre and gathered at the top with some Christmas ribbon and attached a gift tag.


      What do you normally but for your children’s teachers at the end of term?