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Friday, November 09, 2012

Treat me: White choc rocky road

The first advice given to aspiring writers is usually 'write what you know'. I'm never sure if that's sound or not, but I've always told aspiring cooks that the best way to start is by making something that you like to eat. I think you're more likely to invest in the process if you've got a vested interest in the results.
That said, last week I went completely against the grain and made something that I had no interest in eating. I thought about the target market at the gala (mostly children) and mixed white chocolate, cranberries, broken biscuits, nuts and marshmallows together with reckless abandon.
It turned out my instincts were right on target - well, sort of. My slabs of white chocolate rocky road sold out in no time, mostly to women in the 30-45 age bracket. And despite the fact I don't like white chocolate or marshmellows, I couldn't stop eating it either.


White chocolate rocky road
I more or less made this up as I went along - though wrote things down, just in case it was a success. I'm sure you could use dark chocolate, but there's hardcore of white chocolate fans out there and boy, they really love it when you cater to their secret need. Before you make your shopping list, please note that there are three measures of white chocolate - I used white chocolate melts for the top because they are whiter and easier to melt than normal white chocolate, which can seize up if you don't treat if very gently. I used the new Whittakers raspberry white chocolate to scatter over the top, but you can go for broke with whatever variety you like.

250g white chocolate, broken into pieces
100g butter, diced
3 Tbsp golden syrup
100g plain sweet biscuits, crumbled into pieces (not too small)
100g marshmallows, cut in half
100g dried cranberries
100g whole almonds
175g white chocolate melts
100g white chocolate - for decoration (white or dark, your choice)

Line a tin, about 20 x 30cm, with baking paper.
Put the white chocolate, butter and golden syrup in a large pot and melt over very gentle heat. Keep a close eye on it - as soon as the chocolate looks soft, remove the pan from the heat and stir well. Set aside to cool slightly, then tip in the biscuits, marshmallows, cranberries and almonds. Stir well, then pack into the prepared tin. Put in the fridge to set and leave for at least an hour, or until it feels firm.
When it - or you - are ready, melt the chocolate melts and drizzle them attractively over the top. Scatter some more white chocolate over the top. Leave to set, then cut into bars and store in an airtight container in the fridge.


Have a great weekend, everyone. Hope the sun is shining - or the heating is working - wherever you happen to be spending it.

14 comments:

  1. I LOVE rocky roads (I've just blogged about my Xmas rocky roads) and am always on the look out for different Rock Road recipes. Your recipe has been printed and added to my "to make" list. Thanks for sharing x

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  2. I made myself very sick eating waaaay too much rocky road as a kid at a party, and haven't been able to eat it since! Such a tragic shame cause I love all the individual components. Maybe if I made a white one my psychological issues would be tricked??!

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  3. I fit in that target audience and I am pretty sure I would have bought it by the bucket load too - looks a proper treat ;0)

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  4. don't think i've ever made a rocky road but if i'm going to start then this is the one to do it with... how fab does that beautiful treat look? Gorgeous!

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  5. Now I do love rocky road and tiffin, but I think white chocolate might be just a step too far for me. Then again, catch me on a particular stressy day and I'm sure I'd wolf it down with reckless abandon ;-)

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  6. Love these, would love one of your yummy stress relievers!

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  7. These look seriously addictive. Obviously I share your distrust of white chocolate and marshmallows and I certainly couldn't eat more than a bucketful of each in a single sitting.

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  8. Yum! Must make some for Christmas :)

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  9. HI, I am your newest follower and was hoping that you'd stop on by my blog and follow me back!

    www.enjoyingtheepiphany.com

    Thanks,
    Sarah

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  10. If I were eating sugar I've have snapped this up to scoff on the quiet with a large mug of tea.

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  11. this looks like it would leave all your gala-goers with serious sugar highs! wow, astounding. i'm glad it was a success for you!

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  12. I don't really want to like white choc rocky road but like all the mum's who snapped it up, I think I would!

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Hello - thanks for stopping by. If this was real life I'd make you a cup of tea and open the biscuit tin, but in lieu of those things, let's have a chat anyway...