Oat Crunchies...

By the time you have finished reading this blog post, you will 100% want to make these little a squares of joy! There is no need in buying sweets this year for the trick-or-treaters just hand out these... although we can't guarantee that they won't come back for more! 

All you need is... 

180g hopper pot cane sugar porridge

250g dark or milk chocolate 

100g unsalted butter - cut them into small cubes

150g digestive biscuits 

1.  Break the chocolate into small pieces, put them in a heat proof bowl and add the butter. Melt gently over a pan of hot water, making sure to stir it now and then. Once the chocolate mixture is completely smooth, carefully lift the bowl off the pan and place the heatproof bowl onto a safe surface. 
2. Put the biscuits into a plastic food bag and use the rolling pin to break the biscuits, no smaller than you thumbnail, add the oats to the bashed biscuits. Then add both the biscuits and the oats to the melted chocolate and mix well so all the oats and chunks of biscuits are covered well. 
3. scoop all of the mixture into a greased tin and spread evenly. Cover with cling film and the leave to chill in the fridge for about 2 hours. Then cut them into equal size squares. Then sit back, relax and enjoy!! 

Spook-Tacular Tips

October holds cold nights and the one thing that adults look forward to more than the kids... Halloween!

So we thought we'd give you a few of our favourite top tips for all-out Halloween fun!

1. Here at Hopper HQ we live by the rule "You are never to old to go trick-or-treating" 

What do you have to lose? 

2. Make sure you buy an extra bag of sweets to give to all the trick-or-treaters, the more that's left, the more you have all to yourself! 

3. Don't throw away your seeds - If you are a regular pumpkin carver that throws away their pumpkin seeds but keeps the flesh then you need to STOP! 

Pumpkin seeds are packed with protein and fiber and not to mention that they are very tasty, you can gently toast them in a frying pan or even in the oven and you have a healthy salad topping or even a light snack. 

We'd love to know if you have any other spook-tacular tips...

A Treat For Everyone...

October is here and we all know that it means one thing... Halloween!! Even if you're 13 or 33 we know that everyone looks forward to the endless amount of unhealthy treats. Well... here is a slightly healthy recipe (it's not very healthy at all)  that you should love! Don't believe me, you'll have to try it out - wont you? 

Let me introduce you to our  "Oaty Moments"

What you need...

• 200g/7oz butter, softened
• 100g/3½oz caster sugar
• 1 free-range egg, beaten
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 250g/9oz self-raising flour
• 140g/5oz oats
  
  
  
  
  What you do...
  Preheat the oven to about 180C/200F and make sure you line the baking tray with greaseproof paper. 
  Cream the butter and sugar together in a bowl until it is light and fluffy.
  
  
  Then you should beat the egg until it is well combined, stir in the vanilla and flour until well combined. 
  Separate the dough into 12 equal pieced and roll the ball s in the oats then put them on the baking try. Gently squash the balls with the palm of your hands.
  
  
  Bake in the oven for 12-15 minutes or until they are a golden brown. 
  
  
  Get the kids or the better half to do the washing up whilst you put your feet up and enjoy your oaty moments. 

Half term fun!

It's nearly half term and keeping the kids entertained can be quite the challenge. Well we have come up with some activities that can keep the whole family happy over the half term week!

1. Get Crafty
With Halloween next week it's the perfect opportunity to create some spooky decorations. It's time to get out the crayons, paints and paper, and get creative! It's also a chance to start making home-made Christmas cards, as the festive holiday is just around the corner.

2. Head Out Into Autumn
If the weather is fine why not head to your local park or out into the countryside, enjoy the fresh air and nature around. October is great time to go for walks and see the glorious colours that are now around as Autumn has arrived - it's a chance to see nature and even wildlife! Remember to keep yourself fueled up, why not try our delicious Grasshopper Pots?

3. Trick-or-Treating
As Halloween falls over half term it's the perfect opportunity to take the kids trick-or-treating, it's time to put on those scary costumes and see what treats you can get.

4. Movie Time
Watching a film is a great way to keep the kids entertained, whether you decide to go to the cinema to see a new release or stay at home watching a family favourite - it's the perfect to keep them quite for a couple of hours!

5. Explore
Being at home can be boring sometimes seeing the same things over again, if you want a different view then pop on a train, bus or in the car and go explore somewhere new! Take a couple of days away from home, at a cosy B&B or country hotel.

These are just a few ideas for you. How will you be keeping the kids entertained over half term?