Saturday was certainly a dreamy affair for this chocolate-loving family as we rendez-vous(ed) in Harrogate for a tantalising workshop at new chocolatiers ‘Harrogate Chocolate Tree’- and proceeded to spend the most delicious two hours of our lives creating delicious chocolate treats together.
For the purposes of this review (and our tummies) we gallantly (!) tasted, decorated and basked in all things cocoa and it was utterly FABULOUS!
One tasty haven of a shop on Commerical Street, ‘Harrogate Chocolate Tree’ welcomes all ages into store, with husband and wife duo Julie and Mark’s passion for top-notch quality chocolate evident in their exquisitely hand crafted range of no less than 50 different chocolates on site.
The rum, passion and mango truffles are exceptional. One is definitely not enough!
Mesmerising moorish chocolate at every turn…
…From bespoke wedding favours to classic pieces (hand sculpted unique eggs too of course as Easter is on its way) and specialist bars to meet everyone’s taste from white to milk and dark, I could have spent all day browsing and eating-but there were chocolate leaves and pizzas to be made and kids desperate for a taste.
One more quick look before we get crafting…
Mark is not just a dab-hand chocolatier and connoisseur but he’s also super with little people too: patient, kind, engaging, he opened up his tantalising world of chocolate to us, carefully pouring shiny chocolate into moulds, his passion was contagious as the kids tried different flavours of chocolate and toppings and created their own bespoke beauties.
Educational, fun, delicious, there’s no better nor pleasurable bonding session to be had with kids.
First up they made Easter chocolate lollies:
Then it was on to luscious leaves:
Decorated with raisins, apricots, freeze dried raspberries and chopped apricots. You want to get fruit down your kids-simply add chocolate 😉
And candied orange!
The mint buttons were a delight too. So delicious, they featured in my dream last night. You know you LOVE chocolate when you dream about it, right?!
Then it was time to dip kebab sticks full of marshmallows into chocolate and douse in sprinkles! Fluffy clouds of marshmallows left to dry in a chocolate covering with the added bit of hundreds and thousands!
These were the boys’ creations. Stunning huh?!
Then the best for last, our boys’ favourites: chocolate pizzas!
Selecting toppings from a plate of treats they decorated melted chocolate rounds which were left to set….
Patiently waiting for their pizzas, they decorated the pizza boxes as Mark and Julie had thoughts of everything-arts and crafts meetings chocolate making is simply genius!
And a quick refuel of their creations of course to end after all that work!
And some treats for mum and dad too (win)!
The salted caramel and mango truffles are utter triumphs-Peter bought several boxes just in case we run out any time soon!
After the workshop, Julie who remains front of house while Michael crafts and creates in his kitchen out back, helped me select the perfect presents for friends, packing the pieces up beautifully, ready to be sent.
Despite they couple kindly gifting us the session and lots of tasty treats to take home too, I wanted to support the shop and bought some gifts too. With an online shop launching soon, it will be easier than ever to order. In the meanwhile call them up and get shopping!
There is nothing more wonderful than being able to support small businesses through this blog and local ones at that too.
The care and consideration of the founders coupled with the mouthwatering chocolate and seriously brilliant workshops is clearly a recipe for success for Harrogate Chocolate Tree.
We cannot wait to return again soon and are savouring every bite of our Chocolate Tree chocolate stash back home.
Watch our vlog of the day below:
Now for the exciting bit- one lucky reader has the chance to taste Harrogate Chocolate Tree’s fine chocolate for themselves. To win this tremendous Trio of Chocolate Easter Egg worth £20, simply enter via Rafflecopter below.
Details of this magnificent Easter Egg:
20cm 1/3 dark chocolate (70% cocoa), 1/3 milk chocolate (35%) and 1/3 White.
UK only
Ends 20th March 2016.
Oh my goodness I’m going to be torn now when I go to Harrogate in picking between this place and Betty’s. I’m definitely going to try it out at least once though!
Aw go to both! You have to try Harrogate Chocolate Tree’s chocolate! Go for lunch at Betty’s and pick up dessert ie chocolate everything at HCT!
Super prize!!
Wow, what a beautiful egg. Would love to share it with friends & family.
I would dearly love to win this for my young Daughter, as it’s her Birthday and also her Grandma’s (who lives near Harrogate). They can spend quality time together making chocolate and having fun – Thanks for the Giveaway!
Great we to spend quality family time, plus I get eat chocolate ?
love chocolate, would love to go play with it for a day
I’m a big chocoholic!
because i’ve not had an easter egg in years
My three kids would be grateful to share this as they wont be having easter eggs this year due to personal circumstances xx
my sons at uni and hasn’t been back since xmas. id love to have a really exquisite gift like this to give to him on his return
Wow these look amazing
as this would be so fun
would be a nice treat
We are a family of chocolate lovers! Think this would be a lovely treat for the whole family to do together 🙂
can’t resist chocolate
Because I love Hotel Chocolat!
I would love to win because it looks SO yummy! xx
I want to win because that chocolate looks delicious x
..because I love chocolate!!
…because I love chocolate!!
They look gorgeous – would love to win these for my Nephew.
Would love to have some delicious quality chocolate to treat us to
I’d love to win as it looks delicious and I’d love to try
love good quality
Because they look stunning, and I love chocolate!
Love Easter eggs
Because they look amazing and I would love to treat my amazing mum xx
I would love to win because these look delicious, and such good quality 🙂 I also love supporting smaller independent businesses
because your post has made me insanely jealous!
I’m a chocoholic.
These look lovely so it woudl be nice to win
Because I’m a big chocolate lover! 🙂
I’d love to win because hubby bought some chocolate from here year’s ago and he swears it’s the best chocolate he’s ever had – it would be a fab present for him 🙂
Because you’ve whetted my appetite!
because i love chocolate of course
i’d love to win because its chocolate and they look divine
To try something handmade and different to the big brands!
I’d love to win for my kids to share
I would love to win one as a gift for my hubby.
That looks like so much fun!
I’d like to win because I love chocolate.
I would love to win because it looks delicious!
I would love to win for my husband as a very special easter treat this year because I love him so much
These look incredibly yummy and I would love to win to share with my family 🙂
So I can treat my hubby he loves chocolate more than me
Wonderful prize – looks so lovely!
I would love to win as a treat for my mum as she would love this