An apparatus and method for the manufacture of a chocolate piece or tablet having a core or cavity passing through the thickness of the piece or tablet which comprises a mold (10) comprising a surrounding wall (11) and base (12), a central aperture having a predetermined cross-sectional shape passing through the base, and a former (14) having a cross-sectional shape conforming to that of the central aperture adapted to reciprocate through the central aperture between a retracted position where its upper surface is level with the base (12) of the mold to an advanced position where its upper surface lies at any level from above the base of the mold to the top of the mold.