Easter is a time for chocolate, 

and kids love getting their hands on as much of it as they can.

But what happens when they have more chocolate eggs than they can eat?

Here's a great way to use up those leftover eggs and get the kids involved in the kitchen: melt them down and make new recipes!

There are endless possibilities when it comes to melting down chocolate eggs. 

You can use them to make chocolate fondue, chocolate shards, or even chocolate truffles. 

If you're feeling adventurous, you can try making your chocolate bars or chocolate-covered pretzels.

Melting down chocolate eggs is a great way to teach kids about the science of cooking. 

They'll learn how to melt chocolate at the right temperature, and they'll also learn how to temper chocolate so that it has a shiny, smooth finish.

Melting down chocolate eggs is also a great way to get kids into baking.

Once they've mastered the basics of melting chocolate, they can start experimenting with different recipes. 

They can try adding different ingredients, like nuts, dried fruit, or sweets, to their chocolate creations.

So if you have leftover chocolate eggs this Easter, don't throw them away! Melt them down and get creative in the kitchen with your kids. They'll love it, and you'll have some delicious treats to enjoy as well.

Here are a few recipe ideas to get you started:

Chocolate Fondue:

Simply melt chocolate chips in a double boiler or in the microwave, and then dip fruit, marshmallows, or other treats into the chocolate.

Chocolate Truffles:

Roll melted chocolate into small balls, and then coat them in cocoa powder, sprinkles, or chopped nuts.

Chocolate shards:

Line a 9x13 inch baking sheet with parchment paper, and then spread melted chocolate evenly over the paper. Sprinkle with nuts, dried fruit, or sprinkles, and then let the chocolate cool and harden. Break the chocolate into shards to serve.

Chocolate-Covered Cookies/Pretzels:

Melt chocolate chips in a double boiler or in the microwave, and then dip pretzels into the chocolate. Let the chocolate cool and harden before serving.

But you will need to follow our top tips on how to melt chocolate in the microwave, on the stove or in the oven, to ensure that your creations look shiny and have a snap.

How to melt chocolate in the microwave

This is the quickest method,

Chop the chocolate into small chunks and put in a heatproof bowl.

and put it in the microwave on medium power for 30 seconds.

Remove from the microwave and stir.

Keep repeating 30 seconds another 2-3 times, stirring in between until the chocolate is completely melted and is smooth, glossy.

It should be done enjoy.

 

How to melt chocolate on a stove

Bring a small pan of water to the boil.

Place a tightly fitting, heat-proof bowl on top with the chopped chocolate in it.

Make sure the surface of the water does not touch the bottom of the bowl.

and also it’s important that no water gets in the chocolate.

Allow the chocolate to melt in the bowl, stirring occasionally until it is completely melted

Remove from the heat and stir till it's smooth glossy

Chocolate Rice Crispy Bars

These sticky, crunchy marshmallow rice crispy bars are perfect for getting the kids involved in the kitchen. Topped with chocolate, these bite-sized treats are ideal for enjoying as an after-lunch nibble or an afternoon tea snack.

Servings: 25 pieces

Preparation Time: 20 minutes

Cooling Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

- 150g rice crispies

- 100g unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing

- 1 x 100g bag mini pink and white marshmallows

- 300g milk chocolate, chopped

Method:

1. Grease and line a 21cm square tin with nonstick baking paper.

2. In a large pan, melt the unsalted butter, marshmallows, and 100g of chopped chocolate over low heat until fully melted and combined.

3. Stir in the rice crispies until they are completely coated with the mixture.

4. Pour the mixture into the lined tin and use the back of a spoon to smooth the top, ensuring it's flat.

5. In a microwave-proof bowl, melt the remaining chocolate in 30-second intervals until completely melted and smooth.

6. Pour the melted chocolate over the rice crispies, spreading it evenly.

7. Place the tin in the fridge to cool and set for about 30 minutes.

8. Once set, remove from the fridge and cut into 25 squares to serve.

Optional: Decorate the bars with popping candy sprinkles

Hot chocolate with leftover Easter chocolate

Ingredients:

200g leftover Easter chocolate (dark, milk, or white, depending on your preference)

500ml milk (Optional): whipped cream, marshmallows, chocolate shavings for topping

Instructions:

Break the leftover Easter chocolate into smaller pieces to help it melt more easily.

In a saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until it's warm but not boiling.

Add the broken Easter chocolate to the warm milk and stir continuously until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth and creamy.

Continue to heat the hot chocolate until it reaches your desired temperature, making sure to stir frequently to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan.

Once heated through, remove the hot chocolate from the heat and pour it into mugs.

top each mug with whipped cream, marshmallows, or chocolate shavings for extra indulgence.

Serve hot