Hey lovelies, if you’re anything like us, here at Honeybuns, you’ll be seeking out some extra thoughtful presents and stocking fillers this year. Goodness knows we all deserve some extra special treats and I’m not so sure that a last minute, plastic wrapped toiletry set is going to quite cut it come Christmas day.

After such a wobbly 2020, many of us are turning away from mass produced items and ‘blingey brands’ in favour of supporting smaller independent makers. I thought Holly Tucker, founder of Not on the High Street, was bang on the money in her recent piece on Talk Radio where she cited the discernible appetite for hand made, personalised gifts from UK artisan producers. Her comments on us falling back in love with and valuing handmade, sustainable items will help small independent businesses greatly in the run up to Christmas. Many of our close small business friends in Dorset have had to shut up shop and adapt to selling online. What better way to help them than by buying gorgeous things and delighting your nearest and dearest ones?

There are so many amazing independents offering everything from hand poured soy candles to limited editions of medlar jam. All available just a click away and delivered in sustainable packaging to your door. Check out our top ten foodie gift ideas for inspiration.

By buying from independents we will be getting our hands on one off, hand made wonders and at the same time helping small businesses to get through to sunnier times. Truly, what’s not to love?

Introducing our new hand made and vegan Hot Chocolate stocking filler

Combining hand made upcycled fabric, skilful seam stressing and gluten free baking expertise is our gorgeous Vegan Hot Chocolate in a tin. Our customers were seeking foodie, affordable, hand made gifts with eco credentials. We wanted to create something that could be eaten (our speciality after all!) with something that could be kept and used for Christmases to come.

We thought of local seamstress Lawrie, who specialises in the upcycling of vintage fabrics into gorgeous keepsake pieces. Lawrie designed and made the Christmas stockings and eco gift bags especially for us. The stocking is crying out to be filled with chocolate coins and hung on the tree and the bag is perfect for toiletries – handmade & artisan-naturally!

The vegan hot chocolate is super easy to make

Simply follow the instructions below for a mugful of deliciousness…

1. Pop your vegan dark chocolate buttons in a favourite mug.
2. Warm a mugful of plant based milk to simmering point.
3. Add a little of this milk to the buttons and stir vigorously with a teaspoon. You will end up with a silky chocolate paste.
4. Add the rest of the warmed milk and stir again until all the chocolate is blended with the milk.
5. Cut up half of your vegan brownie into 4 cubes and add these to the top of your hot choccie drink.
6. Snuggle up and enjoy. The other half of your brownie is your and yours alone.

Take a look at Em’s bake-along video

You can bake-along with me if you prefer. For a step-by-step visual guide including hints and tips, please do check out my live bake-along video below.

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Top tips for the best hot chocolate

The chocolate buttons in our kit are really special. They are gluten free, vegan and sweetened with coconut blossom nectar. They dissolve easily when added to any hot plant based milk. You just need to add a little hot milk at a time and stir energetically.
We've tried the following plant based milks and been really pleased with the results: oat, coconut and almond. Not so keen on the soy milk to be honest.- Before making your hot choccie, warm your mug in the microwave for 20 seconds just to take the chill off it.
Select favourite armchair, pop your feet up and snuggle up xx

If chocolate brownies are your thing then you might like to know what makes our Chocolate Orange Brownie so special.

Or what about this recipe for a quick and easy vegan brownie sundae sandwich.

For more ethical Christmas treat inspiration take a look at our Top 10 Festive Gifts blog.