How to create a homemade Easter egg
Toying with the idea of crafting your own Easter egg? This year, roll up your sleeves, borrow some egg moulds and discover just how easy making your own really is in our how-to video.
Step 1: Clean the mould
Wash each half of your Easter egg mould with hot soapy water and a soft sponge, then dry carefully. Using a ball of cotton wool, buff the inside of the mould. The better the shine on the mould, the better the finish on the chocolate.
Step 2: Melt the white chocolate
Melt then temper the white chocolate for the brush strokes.
Step 3: Brush the moulds
Colour half the melted white chocolate with a little food colouring gel if you want, then brush graphic stripes of chocolate onto the moulds. Let each colour set before you add the next (setting is really speedy if you’ve achieved good temper). Go over some stripes twice, to make the colours pop out. Repeat the melting and tempering process with the dark chocolate, if you like.
Tip: While the chocolate is drying, why not make treats to go inside your egg? It’s a lovely extra touch, and will distract impatient little chefs.
Step 4: Fill the moulds
Line a baking sheet with parchment. Melt and temper the milk chocolate. Half-fill one mould with the chocolate, then tip it this way and that to completely cover the mould.
Step 5: Pour off the excess
Pour the excess back into the chocolate bowl, and scrape a palette knife across the mould to clean it up. Repeat with the other half of the egg. Set the moulds, flat-side down, on the lined sheet. Transfer to the fridge and leave to set for about 10 mins.
Step 6: Release the chocolate
When the chocolate is solid, flex the moulds to gently release. Take your time – you will see the air slowly creep its way between the plastic and the shiny, hard chocolate. Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4.
Step 7: Melt the edges
Heat a baking sheet in the oven until warm. Put clean gloves on (prevents fingerprints) and pick up one side of the egg. Any messy edges can be melted flat by holding them against the tray. Next, carefully rub the flat edge of the egg on the tray to melt it a little.
Step 8: Finish the second half
Repeat with the second side. If you’re struggling to pick up the egg from the tray, use a palette knife to help.
Step 9: Combine the halves
Hold the melted edges of the egg together for a few moments until they stick. Wipe away any excess, then leave the egg to set in the fridge for a few minutes. The egg is now ready to give or wrap up for Easter. Store in a cool place away from fluctuating temperatures.
Ta-da!
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