I know in folk tales and picture books Christmas memories are wooden toys, wreaths, carols around the piano and ‘fun’ snowball fights. My memories are less picture perfect. More about plastic Keepers, balding tinsel, Noddy Holder screeching ‘It’s Christmas!’ and never hearing that pesky boy at school creep up on me with his icy snowball save for the purple ear muffs I was wearing.
My childhood family Christmas memories are studded with brands. Yes, and so I reckon are yours. Are you a Roses or a Quality Street family? After Eights or Matchmakers… or both? Does Mum shop at Iceland? Or Waitrose (for a treat, only at Christmas mind) or Sainsburys? There was the Blue Nun on the table, the Babysham cocktails with maraschino cherries on cocktail sticks. And Eat Me dates of course! A temptation of a name. And last but never, ever least there were the Ferrero Rocher. Loved by all, practically inhaled. This was before I’d heard of nut allergies; it was quite normal to give these to younger cousins, barely weaned, and watch their little faces pop with enjoyment as they savoured that first bite.
Here are some chocolate hazelnut truffles, possibly reminiscent of the aforementioned golden treats.
One year ago: Christmas flapjacks and Walnut, bourbon and treacle tart and All about cake pops
Two years ago: Father Christmas’ Bakewell tart and Chocolate cupcakes and truffle icing and Halloween bloodshot eye truffles
Three years ago: Chocolate, cherry and hazelnut flapjack and Lazy fish pie and Greek green beans
Chocolate hazelnut truffles AKA homemade Fererro Rocher
Makes 15
Ingredients:
- 100g roasted skinless hazelnuts
- 100g Caprice biscuits or similar wafer style biscuits
- 80g Nutella
- 120g milk chocolate, melted and cooled a little
Whizz the hazelnuts up in your food processor until about 3mm across in size then add the biscuits, pulse again until crushed to about the same size. Add the Nutella and mix until well combined (you can do this by hand or with a food processor) then transfer to a bowl and use your hands to squash together truffle sized balls. Dip in the cooled melted chocolate and place on greaseproof paper to set. You can add a few chopped roasted hazelnuts to the outside when they have almost set if you wish. Package up and give these to the person you love most.
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Holly Bell 
Hi, I’m going to make these tomorrow as I saw you make them on QVC :) they looked so scrummy :)
Would it be possible to freeze them as I’d like to try and get ahead for Christmas.
Thank you for all the lovely recipes.
x
I am just about to make these, I am thinking of decorating my white chocolate ruffle cake with them. In the ruffles ontop and around the outside. These will have to be tasted first so could be making a new batch by Friday. Thanks for the recipe. xxx
That sounds like such a great idea! Yum. x
Holly
Those look really good. I don’t usually make anything containing nuts as my daughter is allergic but I guess I could eat them all…..
You sooo could! X
Holly
You’re spoiling us Mr Ambassador.
Making these.
Right now.
Let me know how you get on! X
Holly
I made a dozen for my Mrs Bell and some of her mummy friends this morning. Am now a bit shaken, bruised and possibly violated but in a nice way from the scramble to get to them. You need to put a warning on these recipes.
Ha ha – I am pleased they like them. Sounds like you need a good sit down with a newspaper and a cup of tea. Poor Adam. x
How long would these last before going off? If giving as a gift the lucky recipient would have to know how quickly they had to eat them
I would suggest a good week as long as they’re kept in good conditions – ie/ not too hot and not too cold!
Holly
Thanks, saw you do these on QVC last night they looked yummy!
Looks amazing but I think there is an error in the instructions – surely “give these away” should be replaced with “hide from children / husband and eat the lot” ;-)
We all love Nutella in out house, I’m going to try these as a thank you gift for my wonderful sister in law. Thanks so much for sharing x
Wow – we have to try these!
They should have a health warning! Make one batch only or risk eating the lot!! X
Holly