If you're a regular reader of my blog then you'll know that I'm a fan of the growing popularity of gingerbread inspired products this Christmas. On a recent visit to Hotel Chocolat I discovered that they had a few gingerbread treats available this year too. The most appealing of which was this Limited Edition Christmas Chocolate Spread - it's described as a warming blend of a 50% milk chocolate hazelnut praline spread, and gingerbread spices.
Each pot is 150g which Hotel Chocolat estimate provides 10 servings. The ingredients give a lovely festive twist to the classic hazelnut chocolate spread and include; 50% minimum cocoa solids milk chocolate, hazelnuts, cinnamon, nutmeg and and ginger powder.
The Hotel Chocolat Gingerbread Chocolate Spread has quite a thick texture, but it's refreshing to see a chocolate spread that is not all slick and greasy. I decided to try the Christmas spread on a croissant and, despite the slightly dense texture, it was still easy to spread. I haven't actually tried a Hotel Chocolat chocolate spread before, and I found the base chocolate flavor here incredibly rich and intense, without being too sweet or too bitter. It's clearly a high quality chocolate being used and it makes all the difference to the base flavor. The added gingerbread spices are robust and complex, adding a lovely depth of warming flavours to the indulgent hazelnut chocolate, especially from the ginger and cinnamon. A little goes a long way with this spread, as the spiced flavours are all quite strong, and I'm sure I will get more than 10 servings from one pot. It's a real festive treat and I think it would make a unique gift for anyone who's a fan of gingerbread and Christmas spices.
I actually bought this Christmas chocolate spread as part of a gingerbread themed hamper that I made for Mr. Grocery Gems' birthday this week. Aswell as some gingerbread coffee syrup and gingerbread cakes, I also included the Hotel Chocolat Christmas Drinking Chocolate with Gingerbread Spice and a pack of the Hotel Chocolat Gingerbread Chocolate Truffles. It's an expensive selection but well worth it in my opinion for a special present. We haven't had a chance to try the Hotel Chocolat Christmas Drinking Chocolate or Gingerbread Truffles yet, but do leave a comments below if you would like me to review those too.
Grocery Gems Verdict: Hotel Chocolat Christmas Chocolate Spread
RATING: 10 out of 10 - a gorgeous blend of high quality chocolate and warming spice.
Buy them again?: Yes.Purchased: Hotel Chocolat.
Price: £6.00p.
