How to make easy mini choc tops main

Choc Tops – The Mini Version and Other Little Creatures!

I was inspired to make these very cute Chocs Top of the mini variety after a visit to Little Creatures earlier this week (more info on this great little place after the recipe). I bought one each for my two youngest boys and thought they would be fun to make.

Choc Tops – The Mini Version

Choc Top Mini Version
Ingredients:
DSC02757

  • 1 packet Arnotts Milk Chocolate Royals (I bought two packets originally a generic brand and Arnotts, the generic brand were too big, the Arnotts were just the right size.)
  • 1 packet mini cones . I picked these up at Woolworths.
  • 100 grams milk chocolate.
  • 12 M&Ms or like choc candy.

Method:

    1. The cones sometimes have little bumps around the edges. Break those off so the biscuit will be able to sit flat on top of the cone.
    2. Break up the chocolate and place in a thick microwavable bowl. Melt choc on high for a minute. Stir and heat for 15 sec bursts as required until choc is completely melted.
    3. Using a small knife, cover the base of a biscuit with melted chocolate.

Choc tops - choc glue

    1. Press the biscuit onto the cone and place on a tray with the cone in the air.

Choc tops - setting biscuit

    1. Go through and do this for all the biscuits (12 in a pack).
    2. Dip the bottoms of the cone into the melted chocolate, using the knife to spread the choc evenly if necessary.

Choc tops - dipping choc

    1. Make sure your tray is lined and large. The cones wobble about a bit and wipe chocolate onto each other if they don’t have enough space.

Choc tops - setting choc end

    1. Once the choc bottom is set, reheat the melted chocolate.
    2. Place a small dob on the back of the M&M and firmly place the M&M on top of the biscuit. I placed the cones into small glasses to let them set.

Choc tops - setting m&ms

    1. Once set your mini choc tops are ready to eat!

Mini Choc Tops - Ready to Eat!

  1. I stored them in an airtight container, in a cupboard.
Choc Tops - The Mini Version
 
Author::
Recipe type: celebrations
Ingredients:
  • 1 packet Arnotts Milk Chocolate Royals (I bought two packets originally a generic brand and Arnotts, the generic brand were too big, the Arnotts were just the right size.)
  • 1 packet mini cones. I picked these up at Woolworths.
  • 100 grams milk chocolate.
  • 12 M&Ms or like choc candy.
Method:
  1. The cones sometimes have little bumps around the edges. Break those off so the biscuit will be able to sit flat on top of the cone.
  2. Break up the chocolate and place in a thick microwavable bowl. Melt choc on high for a minute. Stir and heat for 15 sec bursts as required until choc is completely melted.
  3. Using a small knife, cover the base of a biscuit with melted chocolate.
  4. Press the biscuit onto the cone and place on a tray with the cone in the air.
  5. Go through and do this for all the biscuits (12 in a pack).
  6. Dip the bottoms of the cone into the melted chocolate, using the knife to spread the choc evenly if necessary.
  7. Make sure your tray is lined and large. The cones wobble about a bit and wipe chocolate onto each other if they don't have enough space.
  8. Once the choc bottom is set, reheat the melted chocolate.
  9. Place a small dob on the back of the M&M and firmly place the M&M on top of the biscuit. I placed the cones into small glasses to let them set.
  10. Once set your mini choc tops are ready to eat!
  11. I stored them in an airtight container, in a cupboard.

Little Creatures Indoor Playcentre – What is it all about?

I am not a huge fan of the large indoor playcentres. I tend to find them loud, slightly chaotic and not at all relaxing! A lovely friend Jane recommended Little Creatures to me months ago. Jane described it as:

“a gorgeous space that promotes creative/imaginative play. It’s only small but the toys/environment are quality and well thought out.”

And she was spot on! I went there on Wednesday to meet a dear friend who has a nearly 2 year old daughter, with my 2 and 5 year olds. It wasn’t very busy, so the kids could explore the very well set out environment with ease. The centre aims to provide developmentally appropriate, hands-on educational experiences for young children in a fun, intimate environment and it delivers.

Little Creatures - Supermarket
The looks on my kids faces, was one of absolute delight when they saw the Little Creatures supermarket. It had trolleys, well stocked shelves and a cash register “with real money”. (Which of course just looked like real money, but my 5 year old was impressed!) I think they would have played there for close to 20 minutes before moving on.

Little Creatures - Cooking Corner
The cooking corner sits next to the supermarket and is well spaced out to allow kids room to bring in their groceries and play with the dolls that are also there.

Little Creatures - Dress ups and Book Corner
Other than putting on a pair of gumboots and builder helmet, my boys didn’t play dress ups. Towards the end they did visit the lovely book corner and cuddle up with a book and a big stuffed toy.

Little Creatures - Building Station
The aforementioned helmet and gumboots! This building station gives little ones a great opportunity to practice their fine motor skills.

Little Creatures - Flower Arranging
I thought the flower arranging was a fantastic activity to have for this age group. While my boys weren’t drawn to this, my friends little daughter was.

Little Creatures - Fire Engine
The fire engine area is the only one that focuses on kids gross motor movement, with the rope ladder and slide. There were also firemen costumes for the kids to try on.

Little Creatures - Duplo Area
A solid favourite with little ones, the playcentre had a well stocked Duplo area.

Little Creatures - Drawing Station
There is also a drawing station for the kids. Little Creatures also do parties and I imagine this would be the area where the kids sit to eat their party food.

Little Creatures has a small cafe and seating area. My friend and I were able to sit there for the majority of time, enjoy a drink, a muffin and a chat, while keeping an eye on the kids as they played. It wasn’t loud, the food was good and there was no sign of chaos!

I think it could have been a bit different if my 5 year old son had been there with another one or two 5 year old boys. They may have become a little more boisterous than is the intention of this play centre, so as such would recommend it for those aged 4 and under.

There are signs in the different areas asking parents to make sure they leave the areas tidy for other children and I liked that. Often playcentres have the “trash and leave mentality” about them, but I like my kids to tidy up after themselves, so we made sure we picked up blocks and tools before we left.

Little Creatures Indoor Playcentre – The Details

Location: 323 Whitehorse Rd, Balwyn ViC
Phone: (03) 9077 2364
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday 9.15am – 5.00pm, Saturday 10.00am – 5.00pm, Sunday – private functions only
Cost: $8 per child