In collaboration with Albert Bartlett Potatoes & Üutensil.
So who else put up their Christmas tree this weekend?
We usually don’t put up our tree until the 12th of December, but this year my best friend surprised us and delivered a tree to us on Saturday afternoon. She’d picked up a five foot real Christmas tree in a pot but her sons didn’t like it and they wanted a bigger one, so she gifted the unloved tree to us. A belated 40th birthday present.
I spent a very pleasant Sunday afternoon pottering about decorating said tree. Ok, when I say pottering about I actually mean clearing out one of the bedroom closets of rubbish on a hunt to find the blue LED Christmas lights that hadn’t been returned to the Christmas decoration boxes last year. We (I enlisted my husband with this task) eventually found the lights buried among years of clutter and our closet is now seven bags of rubbish and two trips to the charity shop lighter. How is it that closets can fill up with so much stuff over the years?!
I always like to make a nice little treat for nibbling on while decorating the Christmas tree and the subsequent present wrapping session.
This year I made some coconut mint Christmas chocolates with…. and you’ll never believe this…. mashed potatoes!
When I was a little girl I remember my grandmother serving some gorgeous handmade coconut chocolates to my brother and I straight from the freezer. They were delicious, and upon enquiring about their ingredients she replied, with a twinkle in her eye: “Mashed potatoes.”
I thought she was taking the mickey, so I insisted. I wanted to know what ingredients were in those chocolates (which is a really remarkable thing for a ten year old to ask, I think?!), and she kept laughing and saying mashed potatoes.
For years I thought she was having a fun with me. It wasn’t until I moved to Scotland and attended a toddler group party that I learned about the Scottish Macaroon – a sickly sweet icing sugar and mashed potato sweet – that I remembered those mashed potato chocolates of my grandmothers.
Perhaps she wasn’t kidding after all!
My grandmother sadly passed away when I was only 16, so I don’t have her original recipe, but I’ve tried, over the years, to recreate her recipe from taste memory. These little chocolates taste like little homemade Bounty Bars, but for this festive version I’ve added a drop of peppermint extract for that cool Christmas vibe.
These chocolates are so, so very good, if I do say so myself! I really like how the mashed potatoes adds a flavourless body to the soft coconut filling, while the dark chocolate (I like the really dark stuff – like 85% cocoa solids) pairs with the cooling peppermint flavour. It’s like eating a chocolate coated coconut icy snowball.
I’ve used Albert Barlett rooster potatoes purchased from my village shop for these chocolates. Rooster potatoes have a gorgeous red skin and a yellow flesh and they’re great for boiling, mashing and roasting (they make wicked Christmas roasties!). Look out for them while doing your supermarket shop in your local Co-op.
These chocolates need to be kept cool (which is probably why my grandmother kept them in the freezer), as it’s the hardened coconut oil that keeps them at the right consistency. They get really soft if kept in a warm room for too long.
I reckon they’d make great edible gifts too, as long as you let the recipient know they should be kept cool.
Do you have any unusual recipes using mashed potatoes as a secret ingredient? Let me know in the comments!
Coconut Mint Christmas Chocolates
Ingredients
- 160 grams Albert Bartlett potatoes peeled, uncooked weight
- 250 grams icing sugar sieved
- 150 grams coconut flakes processed until fine
- 3 tbsp coconut oil warmed
- 1/4 tsp peppermint extract
- 250 grams dark chocolate I like 85% cocoa solids
- snowflake sprinkles optional
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Instructions
- Peel potatoes and cut into small cubes. Place in a pan of unsalted water and bring to a simmer, cooking for 15 minutes or so until tender.
- Drain and return the pan to the heat to evaporate as much of the moisture off as you can.
- Mash the potatoes and then press through a fine sieve or a potato ricer, twice, so that they are very fine.
- Combine the potatoes with the icing sugar, coconut, coconut oil and peppermint extract.
- Place in the fridge to cool for an hour.
- Roll the mixture into small balls the size of a small walnut and keep in the fridge while you melt the dark chocolate.
- To melt the chocolate, break the chocolate into pieces in a small heatproof bowl. Suspend the bowl over a pan of barely simmering water and leave it to melt.
- Coat the coconut/potato balls in the melted chocolate. Use a fork and a spoon to roll them in the chocolate and let the excess drip away. Place the chocolates a silicone baking mat or into small decorative paper cases. Decorate with snowflake sprinkles and leave the chocolates in a cool place to chill.
- These chocolates will keep for several days in a cool place. They taste fine if kept in the fridge although they will develop condensation when brought out into room temperature.
To prepare my homemade chocolate recipe I used several üutensil products in addition to the Albert Bartlett potatoes. Üutensil is a British design company who are committed to creating exciting and innovative kitchen products. Some of these products include:
Strip² – This multi – functional tool makes veg prep a breeze. One side holds an oversized peeler blade for faster peeling with no clogging while the other holds a clever blade that creates perfect julienne vegetables in one effortless stroke. RRP £7.99
The Spudnik – The unique flower shape is designed to be rotated in the bowl rather than pounded. The result – perfect fluffy mash with less effort and in less time. Plus it’s easier to clean and there’s no clogging. RRP £7.99
The Swoosh & Böl Set – The colander in this set is designed to create a natural vortex, helping water drain off food faster. The bowl is constructed in heavy duty plastic and is light enough to be carried easily yet tough enough to mix the heaviest batters. But with a clever twist, these two kitchen classics work even better together. RRP £18.99
Tilt – This angled chopping board keeps both sides hygienically clear from the worktop so you can flip the board during food preparation and use both sides. The slant on the board helps the food fall away from the knife to keep the cutting area clear and the corners can be used to pour the prepped food into bowls or pans. It’s dishwasher safe too. RRP £18.99
GIVEAWAY
Üutensil and Albert Bartlett Potatoes have teamed up to offer one of my lucky UK readers the chance to win everything pictured in the photograph above (plus a lot more potatoes – 15 kg, to be precise!). That’s the Christmas roast potatoes and vegetable prep sorted! To enter, simply fill out the Rafflecopter form below!
TERMS & CONDITIONS
This giveaway is open to UK entries only. Entrants must be age 18 or over. The winner will need to respond within 30 days of being contacted; failure to do this may result in another winner being selected. Note, that if you want delivery before Christmas you must reply by the 22nd of December at the very latest.
The prize is offered and provided by Üutensil and Albert Bartlett Potatoes. The prize is to win an Albert Bartlett & Üutensil Bundle worth £75! here is no cash alternative and the prize is not transferable.
There is no entry fee and no purchase is necessary to enter this giveaway.
The promoter (Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary) reserves the right to cancel or amend the giveaway and these terms and conditions without notice.
Entry into our giveaways will be deemed as acceptance of these terms and conditions.
If you need some help using Rafflecopter, here’s a quick clip to show you how. Rafflecopter will pick the winner at random from all the entries received. I will be verifying entries. Any automated entries or those who have claimed they have made the mandatory blog post comment and really haven’t will be disqualified. It’s mandatory! Please make sure your comment is eight words or longer or Google views it as spam. All entries with comments fewer than the mandatory 8 words will be disqualified.
Closing date is midnight (that’s 00:00 hours, 12 am on Sunday night/Monday morning) on Monday 19 December 2016 (GMT). The winner will be announced shortly afterwards.
OTHER SWEET RECIPES WITH MASHED POTATOES AS AN INGREDIENT
Chocolate Mashed Potato Cake with Tahini Drizzle by Veggie Desserts
Blueberry & Almond Traybake by Supergolden Bakes
Scottish Macaroon Snowballs by Tinned Tomatoes
SHARING WITH SOME BLOGGING LINKIES
We Should Cocoa by Tin & Thyme
Treat Petite from CakeyBoi and The Baking Explorer (host)
This is a paid recipe commission in collaboration with Albert Bartlett potatoes and uutensil. However, as always, all thoughts and opinions expressed are our own. Thank you for supporting the brands who make it possible for me to do what I love: mess up my kitchen and share recipe stories.
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I have got a recipe for my own christmas pudding as I am wheat and dairy free, so I have to make my own, plus it tastes better
I love making Chocolate logs with my boy
I love making a big batch of cookies that we deliver to friends when we visit.
Homemade pigs In blankets.
I make Christmas Dumpling every year much lighter than Christmas pudding and a favourite with all the family 😀
Mine is Delia Smiths Traditional Christmas Cake recipe, it is my go to every year and always tastes amazing
I love Christmas cake, with lots of fruit and nuts in it. It is good by itself, with butter on it or even served with custard!
I love making handmade mine pies they are yummy
I love to make gingerbread at Christmas the smell is amazing
My favorite Christmas Recipe is my mums Chestnut Stuffing, dont know how its made but its bloody good
My favourite christmas recipe has to be brussel sprouts with bacon in them as it is better than plan old boring brussel sprouts and it makes the children eat them too
My Favorite Christmas recipe is chocolate coated lebkuchen german biscuits they are really tasty
These would be fabulous not just for Christmas day but all year too. Loving making melting middle chocolate puds for Christmas day!
A christmas cake recipe that was handed down from my grandparents
I love making Chocolate Yule logs at Christmas a winter treat
Sprouts! Theres a lot to be said for the humble sprout! Great fried with chopped bacon mmm!!!
i like homage flaked chocolate truffles there so yummy
my nana’s christmas cake i love baking though especially at xmas
I love a classic mince pie recipe, especially with homemade pastry, and I also like recipes that suggest interesting twists on the classic recipe to try something a bit different
my mums homemade fruit cake is my fave recipe! its tastes lovely and reminds me of christmas when she makes it
My Christmas yule log fun to make with the kids and lots of chocolately icing which everyone in my house loves
sprouts fried wwith garlic bugtter and bacon lardons
I love my turkey and gammon pie with leftovers
My favourite Christmas recipe is my homemade chestnut stuffing its yummy
I love making xmas fairy cakes, with yummy tops, always go down a treat at family gathering!
I love making home made mince pies. Merry Christmas
Love making mince pies with puff pastry, for a difference
The Christmas cake my family makes is one taken from the village newsletter in the 1970’s. We don’t know if it was originally from a recipe book, TV chef or from one of the villagers granny’s recipe? It is interesting how recipes ‘travel’ and become a family recipe anew.
Yule log. I learnt to make these at school many decades ago and amazed myself at how good they taste, yet they’re really easy to make
My favourite Christmas recipe has to be Melting Snowman Biscuits because they’re really easy to make with the kids and taste yummy too x
I love making my own Christmas cake, following the same Delia Smith recipe that I’ve been using for 35 years!
I love making my own xmas cakes, I make quite alot for friends and family
C hristmas cake every year… still to be iced. Huge mince pies too.
Key lime pie
Digestive buiscuits
Eggs
Condensed milk
Limes and lime zest
I love making a candy cane peppermint cake every year. It’s basically a white cake mix with little pieces of candy cane crushed, (flour first to prevent sinking during baking). Then you frost with a buttercream frosting I colour light green and put a drop of peppermint flavouring in. Everyone loves it as an alternative to traditional Christmas pudding. x
My nans christmas pudding recipe. It’s amazing we make it every year wouldn’t be christmas without it x
A leg of lamb with all the trimmings
home made mince pies x
I come from Argentina, so a British Christmas is new to me, I’ve only been here over 3 years. My fave is roast potatoes, of course! And if I have to choose one from Argentina, a classic for Christmas is Vitel Toné (aka Vitello tonnato: an Italian dish we inherited from our great grandparents, many of us Argentinians descend from Italians and Spanish who came over in the late 1800s early 1900s). It’s dish of cold, sliced veal covered with a creamy, mayonnaise-like sauce that has been flavored with tuna.
We remove any extra fat from a cut of meat called Peceto, in English some call it “Salmon beef cut or Eye of round / Middle rump). Then we place it in a roasting tray (many people boil it instead, I prefer the taste of it roasted) with carrots, onions and red peppers, of course, salt, pepper, red pepper / mild chilli flakes, cumin and a rub of mustard. You roast it usually 1 hour per kilo of meat. You leave it on the roasting tray covered with tin foil to cool down in its juices and the next day you pour in your blender the juices, some of the vegetables to taste (I prefer mainly the roasted onions and a little bit of carrots and red peppers, some only use onions so the sauce is lighter in colour), some people add a couple of anchovies as well, then the mayonnaise. Blend until it reaches at creamy consistency, no lumps. Then add some chopped olives (or capers) to the sauce. Then slice the meat as thin as possible and alternate meat and sauce on a tray or platter where you’ll be serving your dish on. I love to have it with tomato salad, and with Russian salad (a cold salad made with boiled potatoes and boiled carrots cut in cubes, and peas then you dress it with a watered down mayo and some olives for decoration. Yum!
Mince pies, I’ve either helped make, or made them myself since I was little of the Christmas period, so I get a lovely feeling of nostalgia when I cook them.
My favourite Christmas recipe is the Christmas cake, because I love the fruity flavours.
I always love to make stained glass window biscuits by cutting the centre out of the biscuit dough leaving about a centimetre all around and dropping one or two boiled sweets into the hole. When they are baked they look really pretty as the sweets melt and look like stained glass. Great for the Christmas Tree.
I love my Mum’s recipe for brandy laced mince pies and I make them every year to remember her by 🙂
Sherry trifle with brandy (I know) is always the favourite in the household and I love tasting it/sampling
I like trifle with ginger and plums. It’s really light and festive
I love making a traditional Christmas cake then licking the bowl after 🙂
mince pies after all they are part of the tradition of Christmas
My mum’s Christmas cake recipe because it’s bursting with flavours, and isn’t too heavy like some are.
Have never come across a recipe like this, so intrigued and I looove the finish too with the little snowflakes. Your grandmother must have loved the reaction from you when she told you the secret only for you not to believe her!
I like mincepie muffins – basically the mixture for fairy cakes with a small jar of mincemeat stirred in – tastes like a mild christmas cake!
Mince pies! Mainly because I’m gluten intolerant so if I make them I can eat them!
turkey curry on boxing day is always a hit with the family
I love panacotta with a raspberry and champagne sauce. It is elegant to look at. Light enough to enjoy after a heavy meal. Plus delectable to look at
got to be banoffee roulade which I always make at Christmas – a firm favoutie and not fattening at all !!1
my favourite christmas recipe is Rum Truffles made them for the first time last year and the family loved them 🙂
my favourite recipe is chocolate log, its now become tradition for me and my eldest son too make it together on Christmas eve!
Chocolate yule log, coffee makes it extra rich
My favourite recipe is my homemade fudge. I love trying new flavours.
I think mince pies. They’re traditional, and the smell of them just makes me think Christmas and makes me happy!
I make shortbread every Christmas to give as gifts to family and friends. It’s a super simple recipe from my grandmother, using only the best ingredients which give it its beautiful taste!
My mums yule log, every year its guaranteed to be in the table, delicious!
My slow cooked red cabbage with red wine, apple and orange juice! Perfect with turkey or gammon 😉
We always have sticky toffee pudding instead of Christmas pudding for our Christmas meal
Hi! My favourite recipe (all year round, really!) is scones, although they do seem to double in size over the festive season.
I love mulled cider for three reasons: it tastes amazing, it makes me feel festive and it makes the whole house smell great!
Homemade mince pies with spicy apple mincemeat, they are lush!
We always make a Mary Berry Christmas Cake, it’s a great recipe and a bit of a tradition to start off December.
We like to make Christmas spiced biscuits in different shapes so we can ice them and have fun before we eat them
My favourite Christmas recipe is my own recipe for cheese straws. Delicious.
My favourite Christmas recipe is to bake a gluten free stollen with an almond paste centre. It is quite delicious and less heavy than fruit cake.
We like to make rosemary and garlic focacia bread to have turkey sandwiches.
Mine isn’t really a christmas recipe but it’s still my favourite – it’s my mums chocolate fudge cake made up plain and simple. Every other time it is made throughout the year it has other bits and flavours added to it but at christmas is is left alone and is still just as delicious.
I like a stuffing made with sausage meat, sage and apple. Much better than the usual soggy stuffing.
I like sprouts with bacon and chesnuts as its the obly time of the year I get to eat them
Mine is a really simple chocolate and brandy truffle. I used to roll them in vermicelli but I’ve upped my game and gone cocoa powder and edible glitter these days. They’re simple (admittedly really quite naff!) but they disappear fast!
I love making my mums traditional Christmas cake recipe although it’s never turns out quite as good as hers 🙁
Peanut butter fudge, reminds me of Christmas at my Grandma’s and is also amazing.
I really like Christmas pudding ice cream and it is so easy. Buy a Christmas pudding and a tub of vanilla ice cream, mix together and put back in the freezer, when it’s time to eat take it out a little bit before and voila, very yummy!!
My sister has all the best Christmas recipes. The honey roasted parsnips, the pork & chestnut stuffing and the decadent sherry trifle are the highlights.
I love to make gingerbread men with extra cinnamon for the festive season 😀 they’re so tasty
My favourite recipe is my mum’s cauliflower cheese with a little cinnamon in it!
My favourite Christmas recipe is trifle. Lots of fruit but no sponge and custard made with cream, all topped off with whipped double cream.
MINCE PIES. JUST CRACKED PASTRY AND THEY ARE ACTUALLY QUITE EASY NOW
I love homemade mince pies or a good Christmas pudding
Love baked apple, filled with mincemeat – delicious
My favourite Christmas recipe is stewed breakfast apples with cinnamon and ginger 🙂
We always make a chocolate cake at Christmas and everybody loves having some.
I love making gingerbread biscuits and of course a gingerbread house, because of the smell, the taste of all those spices and the chance to go mad and decorate.
I love be make nag bubble and squeak O Boxing Day with all the left overs
I like to make my own mince pies, I make quite a few batches as we tend to eat a lot of them!
I like easy recipes so as to minimise preparation time such as iced snowman cookies which are fun to eat and look at
making turkey curry with the leftovers very tasty
I love making my own mince pies and my kids help cut out pastry holly leaves for the tops
My Favourite xmas recipe would have to be a traditional Yule Log, yummy!x
ever since i was a kid we have cherry and flake choclate trifle with fresh cream and fresh cherries, i still make it now christmas wouldnt be the same without it!
Gluten free mince pies – it took me ages to get the recipe right and now I’m really happy with it.
Very Festive!
my favourite christmas recipe is butter biscuits, i make them with my sister on boxing day
I make Christmas Muffins – Basically all the dried fruit is soaked in cherry brandy before cooking.
The yule log Chocolate fudge because it tastes so lovely & everyone loves it 🙂 x
I make shortbread biscuits and place boiled sweets in them (for xmas tree ornaments) when they have cooked it looks like stained glass
I love home made mince pies because they taste so much better than shop bought ones.
My mince pies
I always make a batch of gingerbread cookies to hang on the tree
Tasty stuff
my hubbys homemade salmon pate not really chrismassy but he only makes it for me at xmas so i look forward to it
This look amazing! Still convincing my girlfriend that the tree needs to be real and put up ASAP..
I like a quoin fillet, loads of roasted veg, mash and rosaries, gravy and stuffing. Oh and apple sauce, cranberry sauce and mustard
its Terri Kelly nee Collins btw
Wifeys roast potatoes take some beating, very simple with potatoes cooked in goose fat with salt and pepper, no idea how she does it but they are always crisp but still fluffy inside, way better than I can manage.
My spicy Christmas biscuits as I love making them and I love the smell on them cooking in the oven. The cinnamon flows through the house, plus they don’t last long in my house x
I love making a turkey pie on boxing day to use up the leftover turkey!