IF THIS ISN’T DELICIOUS, WE’LL EAT OUR HAT

Father Christmas is seldom wrong, we imagine. But when he is, like that time he mistakenly put your name on the naughty list, he does what any self-respecting gentleman would do; writes a heartfelt letter of apology, spritzes it with his favourite fragrance, and devours his hat. In case you were wondering your best means of bribing… gifting, we mean… the chap, his preferred scent is, of course, The Tragedy of Lord George, for his evocative notes of nights spent by a crackling fire, brandy in hand. Not to mention the uncanny resemblance his Stag’s head bears to a reindeer.
So, without further ado, let’s walk you through the recipe he uses when creating his edible hat, shall we? It’s the perfect treat for Christmas eve, and one that even the little ankle-biters can get involved in making.
Best ensure you have the proper ingredients and utensils first. Jolly good…

Now, we’ll make sure you don’t put a foot wrong. It’s best to heat and bend each cone individually. Here’s how it’s done:

1.    Stand the ice cream cone in the microwave and heat for 10 seconds. If it requires a tad more time to become pliable, that’s acceptable. 

2.    Once the cone is hot, remove it from the microwave and, light as a feather, manipulate the tip so that it resembles a floppy Father Christmas hat. It’s best to bend away from the ice cream cone’s seam.

3.    Melt your red confectionery melts in your measuring jug.

4.    Leaving a centimetre gap at the top of your cone, near the opening, dip your bent cone into the confectionery melts.

5.    Immediately after dipping your cone, place it in the freezer for four or five minutes to set, no longer. We don’t want a cracked cone now, do we?

6.    Wash up the jug and melt your white confectionery melts, then leave them to cool at room temperature until they begin to thicken. This will stop your red coating from re-melting and creating a calamity of red and white swirls. 

7.    Using your spatula, cover the uncoated opening of your cone with some white confectionery melt. Your aim is to create peaks that resemble the fluffy white texture on the hat. You can do so by pressing your spatula against the coating and quickly pulling it away.

8.    Place it in the freezer for one or two minutes until it’s firm. Then, repeat this process, adding layers upon layers to the fluff.

9.    Similarly, coat the pointed tip with white confectionery melt, pulling the spatula away quickly to achieve your flurried effect. Leave the coating to harden for a minute or so, then repeat. Layering is everything, darling.

10.    Place the cone in the freezer one last time for a minute or so, until the coating has hardened.

11.    Et voila! Pair it with your ice cream of choice. Just be sure to scoop in the same fashion as you apply scent – liberally. It is Christmas, after all.