Can you guess how many chocolate eggs are sold in the UK each year? 90 million eggs—that crazy amount of chocolate sweetness creates up to 3,000 tonnes of extra accumulated waste annually. While the manufactures have succeeded in reducing the volume of unnecessary packaging over the recent years, you can always try to make your own. Not only you save money but together with your family you also have a more eco-friendly Easter.
How to make your own chocolate Easter eggs
Buying chocolate eggs from the shop is quite easy, but have you ever tried to make ones with your own hands? It may seem complicated, but trust us, it is not that hard. The only tool you’ll need is a mould. If you don’t own one, there are many available for roughly £4. Then, all you need is some melted chocolate and you are almost done.
This is our suggestion for Easter chocolate eggs, but there are many different recipes you can choose from online. Experiment to find the one that suits your taste best.
Recipe
- Polish the inside of each mould using a dampen paper kitchen towel with a little flavourless oil. Some polishing in the start will help in the end. Oil helps the chocolate form to be separated more easily from the mould.
- Temper the chocolate to achieve better results – this is a method of heating and then cooling chocolate for moulding or coating. The processes of heating and cooling helps to separate the cocoa solids. To proceed with your home made chocolate eggs, you will need a cooking thermometer, a special heat-proof bowl and saucepan of hot water.
- Break the chocolate into small pieces.
- Pour chocolate into each mould. You can use pastry brush to remove the excessive amount. Fill each mould with the same amount of chocolate. You will have to do it two or three more times in order to build a good layer of chocolate. Twenty minutes are enough for the chocolate to set in between layers. Use a flat object to ensure a clean edge every time you add a new layer. Clean edges will help the chocolate eggs’ sides to stick together with no hassle.
- When releasing the egg’s sides from the mould, do not handle them too much as the chocolate may start to melt from the heat of your hands. Place them on a clean surface.
- To complete the egg shape design, heat a baking sheet and place the edges of two egg’s sides for a few seconds and push the edges together.
Your kids will love those home-made chocolate eggs! However, the preparation process can be time consuming, so if you still decide to buy chocolate eggs, choose ones with less packaging. Many supermarkets offer chocolate eggs, wrapped only in foil. If you can’t find those, go for the ones with most reusable packaging.
Recycling your waste at Easter really helps the environment and your council to reach their target, as well. In the UK 67% of the card is recovered for recycling – and you can always help sustain and improve that rate, not only on Easter. The team of Rubbish Please wishes you happy and sweet Easter holidays!
