Christmas Candles

Well Christmas is now over.  We had a fantastic time celebrating the birth of our Saviour eating far too much food (please tell me I wasn't the only one!)  and spent time with our wonderful family and friends.

Although it is a little late I thought I would share these beautiful Christmas candles we used to make as kids to give as gifts for teachers and friends.  Although the ingredients have changed over the years (as many are no longer available) the concept remains the same.

My sister made a bunch this year and this is how you can make some (I have included the ingredients we used to use for those interested - she did substitute some ingredients that are currently available because the store she visited had sold out)

You will need:
1 share packet of Cadbury twirls (we originally used a pollywaffle bar cut in half)
1 packet of wagon wheel biscuits (we originally used the large wagon wheels)
1 packet of mini m& m's (you will use the red ones - jaffas were our previous choice)
1 packet of m&m's (you will use the green ones - mint leaves)
licorice strap (aniseed rings or jelly rings)
blanched almonds
100g milk cooking chocolate 
100g white cooking chocolate

• Melt the milk chocolate in the microwave in a microwave safe bowl stirring every 10 - 20 seconds being sure not to over cook the chocolate.

• Dip one end of the twirl into the chocolate and place in in the centre of the wagon wheel.  Allow chocolate to set.

• Cut licorice strap to desired length and width to use a a candle holder (a aniseed ring or jelly ring is better to use).  use melted chocolate to secure onto the wagon wheel at the base of the twirl.

• Place a few dobs of chocolate on the wagon wheel (next the the licorice ring).  Place (three) red mini m&m's (or normal m&ms if using mint leaves) on the melted chocolate as holly berries.

• Place two green m&ms (or mint leaves) next to the red holly berries.

• Melt white chocolate in the microwave on a microwave safe bowl, being sure not to over cook it as white chocolate overcooks quite easily.

• Using a teaspoon drizzle white chocolate over the top of the flake, slightly spilling over the sides to mimic melted wax. 

• Place blanched almond on top of melted white chocolate, point facing upward.

Your Christmas candle is now finished!

Your kids will love to make these for their teachers or friends at Christmas (or any time) and remember half the fun is in the taste testing ;p