When it comes to mother's day presents, I always think you're on pretty safe ground with chocolate (unless of course your's has the enviable will power to give it up for lent... something I have never successfully achieved - It's the first few days that always do it, I just forget all too easily... a selective memory I think!) But if you want to make it a little more special by making your own, but you haven't got time or ability to make anything too extravagant, these are a simple but effective middle ground.
They're pure and simple, just melted chocolate spooned onto non-stick paper, shaped into circles and scattered with toppings of your choice. As a result, they're great to do with young kids, get them involved in the present making without the chaos of making something too complicated. (To shape them, use the back of the spoon: just place it on the middle of the chocolate blob and rotate it full circle). Then you can scatter on whatever you like, nuts, dried fruit, other chocolate... Here I've used chopped pistachios and dried cranberries (on a white chocolate base); toasted flaked almonds (on a dark chocolate base) and salted caramel (on a dark chocolate base) - the latter are not so suitable to make with young children. For the salted caramel I just dissolved 2tbsp caster sugar in half a tbsp of water (in a metal saucepan, not non-stick as it makes it crystallise) and stopped stirring once it had all dissolved (after about 2mins on a low heat). Keeping the heat low, I then let it bubble for 2-3 minutes, swirling the pan occasionally, until it turned a dark golden colour (golden syrup colour). Turn off the heat immediately, swirl it onto your chocolate disk and crack on some sea salt (before the caramel sets). Leave to cool at room temperature (the chocolate may get that cloudy 'bloom' if you rush them in the fridge).
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