Tim the Boy Wonder is studying for exams, and we thought we’d give him a hand.
Several, in fact, including the milk, dark and hazelnut praline studded ones above. He can use them to practice his royal wave!
They’ll be a lot to remember, but hopefully the ol’ string around the finger trick will help…
An assortment of minis, because many hands make light work, and also because the Boy Wonder loves a round of applause…
At the same time, Tim’s dad PeteA is having a birthday. We’ve made him a birthday card using Christina’s blend…
…and a hollow chocolate Ferrari.
My Pete is somewhat concerned that his car obsessed friend will feel this isn’t a real Ferrari (as this model was made after it was bought by Fiat)…
I, on the other hand, am somewhat concerned that PeteA will break a tooth like he did on the last car we made for him. Although back then we were less practiced at moulding chocolate, and we’d made the whole thing solid.
That was six years ago – hopefully he’s overcome any aversion to car-shaped chocolates since then!
PS. All moulds were from Candyland Crafts, although the car is now discontinued.
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
Amazing! Loved this post! Now, tell me… is it too messy to do all these things? I am always afraid of the huge mess, melted chocolate has a tendency to invade my kitchen and clothes, and hair… ;-)
maybe it’s just me, I bet you can do it all and keep your work area pristine (sigh)
Sally, yes, it’s messy. :) But it cleans up pretty easily, except when I get it on the floor. Occasionally I’ll get melted chocolate on a sleeve or a hand, and because it’s almost at body temperature, I won’t notice until I’ve smeared it all over the shelves, benches, clean plates etc.. ;-)
But..it’s great fun and my kitchen’s usually pretty messy anyway.. ;-)
You are a genius and an inspiration, Celia!
Cindy, why thank you! The feeling is mutual! :)
Your chocolates are absolutely perfect Celia! Best of luck to Tim with his exams – I am sure all those hands will help.
Have a happy day.
:-) Mandy
Thanks Mandy! I had the cutest email from the Boy Wonder, in which he said..“I brought two hands along to the library to share with my friends, both who give… two thumbs up (haha)”. :)
Oh my goodness, those are so adorable! What a lucky guy Tim is…he’s sure to ace those exams with so many hands cheering for him!
Thanks Abby! Aahh Timmy, if he could, the boy would travel with his own applause track.. ;-)
How lucky is Tim!?! I wish I had someone make me chocolate when I’m studying for exams!
Thanks Kate! He was pretty happy with them! :)
You are soooo talented, Celia!
That’s very kind of you, thanks Misk! :)
Your friends must really look forward to presents from you, Celia!
Fantastic detail on the car – well done!
Suelle, thank you – it’s a shame they deleted the car mould, as it was a great shape. A great shape for a Fiat I’ve since been told by both Petes, not a Ferrari.. ;-)
I’M SO LUCKY!!!!
You’re the best Celia! :)
Glad you liked them, Timbot. Hope the exams went well! :)
what fun and quirky molds celia and they are such thoughtful gifts..exam time is so stressful but a handmade fun chocolate distraction would help a lot! jane
Thanks Hazel, it IS such a stressful time, but I’m pretty sure the Boy Wonder’s unfailingly cheerful disposition is going to see him through with flying colours… :)
Once again, you have made someone some lovely, thoughtful gifts, Celia. I just love the molds you find. Hope the exams went well.
Thanks Amanda! Do have a look at the Candyland Crafts site – there are a squillion moulds there for just about every interest!
Celia- the only thing more beautiful than your dark chocolate creations is your smile. I love seeing your picture next to each followup comment! Thanks for sharing the peek at the goodies!
Heidi, you’re so nice, thank you.. :)
Hello, other than your Pete, I’m the luckiest Pete alive – broken teeth aside.
For those playing at home, I’d just like to clarify the Ferrari V Fiat divide (I know more about them than I do chocolate :)). The division is not about ownership of the company, it’s about mechanical heritage and market intent. Real Ferraris were made post Fiat ownership but the 6 and 8 cylinder cars (until very recently) were made in a kind of Armarni Exchange business model. Mass produced brand leverage to make money from the people who wanted the brand but couldn’t afford the 12 Cylinder cars. As Enzo said “sometimes for economy’s sake we make 6 and 8 cylinder cars but the cars of the heart were 12 cylinders.”
I do know this is a cooking site but we all share and admire obsessiveness and artistry.
You’re going to laugh – my Pete read my post and said, “You’re wrong, it had nothing to do with ownership of the company..” and I replied, “have you read PeteA’s comment?” :)
So it’s a Dino… ;-)
How lucky to such a kind and chocolate-able mum! If you feel like sending a few my way, I wouldn’t turn you down…unless I have to take an exam to qualify for eating them…
Thanks Em! That would be funny wouldn’t it, no chocolate unless you take an exam first.. ;-)
This is awesome. So cool. I love the birthday card, what a brilliant idea. Oh I love it. Thanks for this wonderful idea. You rock. And what lucky family you have.
Anna, the birthday card is now my standard for all birthdays, and it’s always greatly loved! Talk about getting your money’s worth from a $2 mould, eh.. :)
You aced it! So cool!
Maz
Thanks Maz! :)
I have not made moulded chocolates for years! A solid car would do me nicely :)
Oooh Tandy, that would work so long as you broke it up with a hammer and didn’t try biting into 3″ thick chocolate with your teeth.. ;-)
What a cool chocolate car! My husband would like that as he adores chocolate and he is a big car geek. I will show him PeteA’s comment as well. He will understand everything he’s talking about. I went to the Candyland Crafts site and I may order the catalog. I do love playing w/ chocolate, but I don’t have a microwave anymore. Your chocolate pieces look wonderful as usual! I like the detail on the hand with the ‘stringed finger’.
Thanks Melanie, we did have fun with the car! Gotta love our car geeks! :)
hmm I think someone has been mold shopping?! Great use of the hand molds and best of luck to all – exams are stressful even if you are not the one sitting them.
Aaah Gillian, you know what it’s like. Any excuse to go mould shopping, and there’s always so much to choose from at Candyland Crafts.. :)
Oh that car chocolate is going to drive my kid insane!
Tes, it’s amazing the passion males have for cars – from small boys right through to grown men! :)
They’re utterly fab! I love all those hands and I especially love the idea of a solid chocolate car… delicious! The only time I’ve attempted to join two bits of moulded chocolate together (an easter egg) it was decidedly ‘homemade’!!! Yours look professional, as ever :-)
Thanks C, but truly, the solid car was ridiculous, a solid 3″ chocolate slab in the middle. But at the time we didn’t know how else to make it.. :)
Love the car! Love the hands! Moulded chocs rock! Especially yours :)
Thanks darling, we always have fun with the moulds! :)
Those hands are so cute, and I love the ribbon tied round the finger. Maybe you could hide waxpaper notes of crib-sheets for the exams in them? My husband is a car fanatic, and appreciates Pete’s clarification message. It sounds just like Top Gear on your Blog today, with chocolate to make it interesting!
Becca, big TG fans here too! :)
that car is amazing! Master Bok would LOOOOVE it. being a car obsessed little boy!
I’d like one of those hands :) You are very talented young lady! How can you bear to eat your creations??
Bless you Mrs Bok, but I reckon I’m 20 years past being a “young” lady.. ;-)
If we don’t eat them, I can’t make any more! :)
Those hands are just brilliant. Now thinking if I can’t find a tempering course over here soon, I shall be hot footing it over to Sydney for some lessons!
Choc, you know you’d be so welcome, but truly, the tempering is fiddly, but not hard once you get it figured out… :)
Can I ask where you get your Callebaut chocolate from? I did a bit of an online search but can’t seem to find anywhere for the “home” cook (under 25kgs) Don’t really think we can be trusted with a smallish bag let alone an Aladdin’s cave worth… Did it take you long to ‘get’ the tempering – I still don’t get it – any handy hint/words of wisdom?! Really love your gifts, they look like great ideas for those “hard to buy for” people – do you think it saves you money in the long run? And one I’ve been wanting to ask since I found your blog – how come you guys aren’t the size of houses?? You seem to regularly eat the most stunning food! Thanks for all the inspiration Julia
Hi Julia, I buy my Callebaut from Chefs’ Warehouse in Surry Hills Sydney. It comes in a 2.5kg bag as well as a 10kg one. The tempering isn’t too hard, providing you have the right kit – I wrote a post about it a couple of years ago here:
https://figjamandlimecordial.com/2009/06/26/how-to-temper-chocolate/
Oh, and we are the size of houses, the photo next to my comments was taken years ago.. ;-)