Coco Pop Chocolate Pinecone (Printable Version)

Crunchy chocolate and cocoa rice clusters shaped as pinecones served atop fresh greens with strawberry garnish.

# What You Need:

→ Base

01 - 2 cups Coco Pops cocoa rice cereal (60 g)
02 - 1 cup mini marshmallows (100 g)
03 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter (60 g)
04 - 3.5 oz milk chocolate, chopped (100 g)
05 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Coating & Decoration

06 - 1/3 cup icing sugar (50 g), for dusting
07 - 1/4 cup sliced almonds (30 g), optional

→ Salad Bed

08 - 2 cups baby spinach or mint leaves (40 g)
09 - 1/2 cup fresh strawberries, halved (80 g), optional

# Steps:

01 - Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
02 - Melt unsalted butter and chopped milk chocolate together in a heatproof bowl over simmering water or in 30-second microwave intervals, stirring until smooth.
03 - Add mini marshmallows to the melted mixture and stir until they are just melted and fully incorporated.
04 - Remove the bowl from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
05 - Fold in the Coco Pops gently until they are evenly coated with the chocolate mixture.
06 - With lightly greased hands, shape small handfuls of the mixture into oval, pinecone-like clusters. Press sliced almonds onto the surface if desired to resemble pinecone scales.
07 - Place the shaped pinecones on the prepared tray and refrigerate for 20 minutes until firm.
08 - Dust each pinecone cluster with icing sugar to create a snowy appearance.
09 - Arrange baby spinach or mint leaves on a serving plate as a bed. Place the pinecone clusters on top and garnish with halved strawberries if desired. Serve chilled.

# Expert Pointers:

01 -
  • Easy to prepare with simple ingredients
  • Fun and festive pinecone shapes perfect for sharing
02 -
  • Swap sliced almonds for sunflower seeds or omit for nut-free.
  • Use dark chocolate for a richer flavor.
03 -
  • Chill pinecones to firm before dusting icing sugar for best effect.
  • Use lightly greased hands to prevent sticking while shaping clusters.
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