CHRISTMAS PUDDING TRUFFLES

To make these delightful Christmas pudding truffles you will need to gather together the following;

INGREDIENTS:

6fl oz/175ml/0.75cup fresh double cream

10oz/275g dark or plain chocolate, chopped

1oz/25g/2tbsp unsalted butter

1tbsp cocoa powder

1tbsp icing sugar

2oz/50g yellow marzipan

green and red food colouring

METHOD:

Gently heat the cream in a large saucepan on a medium heat.

Slowly bring the cream to the boil, then quickly remove from the heat.

Chop the chocolate and add to the pan, stirring well until melted and smooth.

Beat in the butter.

Strain into a bowl, cover, allow to cool, and leave in the fridge overnight.

Line a large baking sheet with greaseproof paper.

Carefully form the truffle mixture into about 20 balls and place onto the paper.

Sieve the cocoa powder and icing sugar into a bowl and mix well.

Roll the truffles in the bowl until they are fully covered.

Roll out some of the marzipan into a thin sheet and cut small flower shapes using a cutter, place these onto the truffles.

Colour some of the marzipan using the red food colouring and make tiny 'berries'.

Colour some of the marzipan using the green food colouring and using a tiny holly leaf cutter or a small knife cut out leaves and using a knife caerfully mark the veins.

Position the holly and berries in place and put the truffles in mini paper cases.

Use decorative boxes to give as gifts.