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Christmas season is in full swing, and after seeing Gingerbread houses, it inspired me. I thought, would it be possible to make a chocolate box from After Eights?. I’m not sure how gingerbread houses and a chocolate box have any connection!? but this is how my brain works! I had my doubts if it would work but I was willing to try, but luckily it worked! and by adding the ribbon, it just makes it that extra bit special, it looks like a cute little gift box, perfect for Christmas or any other special occasion.

All that you need to make the chocolate box is some melted chocolate and lots of After Eights!? if you want to make quite a few.

I added mint-flavoured chocolate cake inside the box for a surprise. I baked the cake but shop brought can be used. It doesn’t have to stop with cake, it could be filled with sweets, chocolates, mousse, ice cream etc. The list is endless, and you can be as imaginative as you want.

After Eight Chocolate Box

A delicious minty box filled with chocolate cake
Print Recipe
Prep Time 1 hour
Servings 1

Ingredients
  

For the Cake

  • 112 g Plain flour 
  • 175 g Caster sugar
  • 42 g Cocoa powder
  • 3/4 tsp Baking soda
  • 3/4 tsp Baking powder
  • 125 ml Milk
  • 62 ml Vegetable oil
  • 1 tsp Peppermint extract optional
  • 1 tsp Vanilla extract
  • 125 ml Boiling water

For the Chocolate Box

  • 20-30 g Dark chocolate

Instructions
 

For the cake

  • Preheat the oven to 180°C/160C Fan/Gas 4. Grease and line a 20cm/8in square tin.
    2. In a large mixing bowl place all of the cake ingredients, except the boiling water, into a large mixing bowl. Using a whisk, or electric whisk, beat the mixture until smooth and well combined.
    3. Add the boiling water to the mixture, a little at a time, until smooth. (The cake mixture will now be very liquid.)
    4. Pour the mixture in the tin and bake in the oven for 20–25 minutes, or until the top is firm to the touch and a skewer inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean.
    5. Remove the cake from the oven and allow to cool completely.
    6. Meanwhile start making the chocolate box.

For the chocolate box

  • Melt the chocolate in the microwave until fully melted.
    On a plate, line some baking paper and start with making the base. The melted chocolate will act as the 'glue' to join the box together. Put one after eight on the plate and using a spoon carefully apply a thin strip of melted chocolate on all four edges. Take another piece and apply the chocolate on the left and right edges then place on the base, repeat till the other three sides are added. Don't add the lid just yet. Leave aside to set, you can place it in the fridge to speed up the process. It can be a bit fiddly and messy but it's worth it in the end! When it's completely set and you can pick the box up without it breaking apart, cut a piece of chocolate cake and place it inside the box. Then add the last piece with metled chocolate around the edges. Carefully put on top then leave to set again.
    For the last process, add some ribbon.