These Holiday Mendiants are not just French chocolate confections; they’re tiny, edible masterpieces perfect for thoughtful holiday gifting and festive celebrations.
As the holiday season draws near, the quest for simple yet elegant treats often begins. Today, I’m thrilled to share a recipe for a delightful and surprisingly easy holiday candy that perfectly fits the bill for last-minute gift-giving, festive entertaining, or simply indulging in a moment of sweet bliss. Introducing Holiday Mendiants – charming French chocolate discs that promise to add a touch of sophistication to your seasonal spread.
Discovering Mendiants: A French Chocolate Tradition
A mendiant, traditionally, is a small, bite-sized French confection crafted from chocolate, typically adorned with an assortment of dried fruits and nuts. These elegant chocolate discs are deeply rooted in French tradition, particularly during the holiday season. Their toppings are historically chosen to represent the colors of the four mendicant (begging) orders of the Catholic Church: raisins for the Dominicans, hazelnuts for the Augustinians, dried figs for the Franciscans, and almonds for the Carmelites. While their historical significance adds a layer of charm, modern mendiants embrace a much broader spectrum of creative toppings, transforming them into wonderfully festive and visually appealing candies that are surprisingly inexpensive to create.
My preferred variations often feature rich dark chocolate, artfully topped with vibrant dried pineapple, delicate slivered almonds, and crunchy toasted coconut, all subtly enhanced with a hint of espresso powder for depth. For a lighter, sweeter alternative, I love white chocolate mendiants studded with tart dried cherries, brilliant green pistachios, and more of that irresistible toasted coconut. As a self-proclaimed toasted coconut enthusiast, I believe the more, the merrier! However, the beauty of mendiants lies in their versatility. Feel free to use any type of chocolate you adore—be it rich milk chocolate, intense dark chocolate, or creamy white chocolate—and let your imagination guide your choice of dried fruits and nuts. The possibilities for flavor and texture combinations are truly endless, allowing you to personalize each batch to perfection.
A Delightful Family Activity: Crafting Mendiants with Kids
Beyond their gourmet appeal, making mendiants offers a fantastic opportunity for a fun-filled family activity, especially during the long break between Christmas and New Year’s. When you inevitably hear those familiar words, “Mom, Dad, I’m bored, what can we do?” this recipe can come to your rescue. Keeping your little elves busy in the kitchen, whipping up these sweet treats, is a wonderful way to foster creativity and engage them in holiday preparations for your upcoming New Year’s parties or festive gatherings.
For a kid-friendly twist, you can easily adapt the traditional dried fruit and nut toppings. Instead, consider an array of vibrant and playful options like colorful sprinkles, shimmering nonpareils, crunchy pretzel pieces, crushed candy canes for a minty kick, or fluffy mini marshmallows. These fun alternatives not only make the mendiants more appealing to younger palates but also transform the process into an exciting arts and crafts session. Imagine the joy on their faces as they create their own unique chocolate masterpieces!
These bite-sized delights are also perfect for adding a special touch to Santa’s holiday cookie plate. A selection of homemade mendiants, crafted with love by your children, will surely stand out and bring an extra sprinkle of magic to Christmas Eve. They make wonderful edible gifts for teachers, neighbors, and friends, and are also fantastic party favors for any holiday event. Engaging children in the creation of these candies teaches them simple culinary skills, encourages sharing, and creates cherished memories that will last a lifetime.
The Art of Gifting: Presenting Your Homemade Mendiants
One of the most rewarding aspects of making Holiday Mendiants is their suitability for gifting. Their elegant appearance, combined with the personal touch of homemade care, makes them an ideal present for nearly any occasion during the festive season. Consider packaging them in small, clear cellophane bags, tied with elegant grosgrain ribbons in holiday colors. This simple presentation instantly elevates them into charming party favors or thoughtful hostess gifts.
For a more elaborate gift, arrange a variety of mendiant flavors and colors in a decorative tin or a small, festive box. Layer them with pieces of wax paper to prevent sticking and ensure they arrive in perfect condition. Imagine presenting a beautiful assortment of dark chocolate mendiants with cranberries and pistachios alongside white chocolate ones adorned with apricots and almonds—a true feast for both the eyes and the palate. These customizable treats allow you to tailor your gifts to the specific tastes of your recipients, making each present uniquely personal and incredibly appreciated. From a small token of appreciation to a grand gesture, mendiants communicate warmth, thoughtfulness, and the joyful spirit of the holidays.
Tips for Mendiant Perfection: Crafting Beautiful Chocolates
Achieving perfect mendiants is simpler than you might think, even for novice candy makers. The key lies in properly melting your chocolate. While professional tempering can be complex, a simplified microwave method works wonderfully for home use. Melt your chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in short bursts (e.g., 30 seconds at 50% power), stirring thoroughly after each interval. This gentle approach prevents the chocolate from overheating and ensures a smooth, luscious consistency without becoming grainy. Continue until the chocolate is just melted and velvety smooth. This method helps prevent “blooming,” where white streaks appear on the chocolate due to improper crystallization, though it’s less about true tempering and more about careful melting.
Once melted, working quickly is essential as the chocolate begins to set relatively fast. Have all your desired toppings prepped and ready before you start scooping the chocolate. This ensures you can press them onto the warm chocolate discs, securing them in place before they cool. For best results and a firm set, a brief chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes is recommended. This helps the chocolate harden beautifully and makes the mendiants easy to handle. Store your finished mendiants in an airtight container at cool room temperature or in the refrigerator. Layer them with wax paper to prevent them from sticking together. Properly stored, these delightful confections can last for several weeks, making them perfect for preparing in advance of your holiday celebrations.
Holiday Mendiants Recipe
Author: Mary Ann Dwyer
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Ingredients
- 1 – 11 ounce bag milk or dark chocolate chips
- 1 – 11 ounce bag white chocolate chips
- 1/3 cup assorted nuts (such as slivered almonds, pistachios, pecans, or walnuts)
- 1/3 cup assorted dried fruit (such as cherries, cranberries, pineapple, or apricots)
- 1/3 cup toasted coconut chips
- 1/4 tsp. espresso powder (optional, enhances dark chocolate flavor)
Instructions
- Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper, which will prevent sticking and make for easy cleanup. Prepare all your desired toppings and have them easily accessible.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt one bag of milk or dark chocolate chips. Heat at 50% power in 30-second intervals, stirring well after each. Continue until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth, taking care not to scorch it. If using, stir in 1/4 tsp. of espresso powder until thoroughly combined.
- Using a tablespoon, scoop the melted chocolate onto the parchment-lined baking sheets. Leave approximately two inches of space between each scoop. Gently spread the chocolate with the back of the spoon to form individual 2-inch diameter circles or discs.
- While the chocolate is still warm and pliable, immediately place your chosen toppings onto each disc. Press them lightly to ensure they adhere to the chocolate.
- Carefully transfer the baking sheets to the refrigerator and chill for about 30 minutes, or until the chocolate mendiants are firm to the touch.
- Repeat this entire process with the white chocolate chips and your chosen toppings.
- Once the mendiants have fully firmed up, store them in an airtight container. To prevent them from sticking together, place a piece of wax paper between each layer of candies.
- For festive holiday favors or charming hostess gifts, arrange the mendiants in cellophane bags and tie them with an elegant grosgrain ribbon.
Course: Dessert, Confection
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see! Be sure to follow thebeachhousekitchen on Instagram and tag Mention @thebeachhousekitchen or tag #thebeachhousekitchen!
As we navigate the joyful hustle and bustle of the holiday season, remember the simple pleasures that handmade treats bring. These Holiday Mendiants are more than just candy; they are a celebration of flavor, family, and the spirit of giving. I sincerely wish you and your families a wonderful Christmas filled with warmth, and a New Year brimming with love, peace, good health, and an abundance of sweet moments.
Happy Holidays!
Mary Ann
