Gourmet Rocky Road

Now here's an easy peasy recipe. Using good quality ingredients will make this treat a winner! The only cooking involved is melting the chocolate. The cranberries add a little tartness, which works well with all the other sweet ingredients.

Ingredients:

450g good quality milk chocolate, chopped into small cubes

150g good quality dark chocolate, chopped into small cubes

25g unsalted butter

3/4 cup small marshmallows or large ones chopped up

100g buttersnap cookies, chopped into small pieces

80g toasted slivered almonds

80g pistachio

80g mixed dried berries (cranberries, blueberries, raisins etc)

1/2 cup dessicated coconut

Method: 

1. Grease a 23cm x 20cm x 3cm (13in x 9in x 2in) baking tin. Line base with baking paper, allowing a 2cm overhand at both long ends.

2. To melt chocolate in microwave, place chocolate and butter in a large microwave safe bowl. Microwave, uncovered on medium (50%) for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir every minute until chocolate is all melted and smooth. To melt chocolate on the stove top, bring to boil some water in a saucepan. Turn off heat. Place chocolate and butter in a bowl that fits snugly on top of the saucepan. Make sure the water is not touching the bottom of the bowl. Stir until melted and smooth. When melting chocolate make sure water does not come in contact with the chocolate or it will seize. Utensils and bowls also need to be completely dry before melting chocolate.

3. Add in the remaining ingredients and stir with a rubber spatula to combine. Scrap into prepared pan. Using spatula or back of a fork, press mixture into pan. Make sure the mixture has cooled completely before covering and refrigerating for at least 3 hours or overnight. 

4. Once set, remove from pan and baking paper and slice into 1 inch fingers or cubes.

Teacher's gifts for Christmas this year