Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

A Sweet Guide to Tasting Chocolate

Looking for a fun time with other food-minded friends? Or, do you just love chocolate and want to know everything out it? Consider a chocolate tasting! Like wine, chocolate is a multifaceted food, with each step of its growth and processing—from bean to bar—impacting its texture, flavor, and usability. No […]

Chef's Notes Plus, Family Fun

An Apple a Day…

Apples are really healthy, and tradition says that one a day keeps the doctor away—which is an easy goal when it’s covered with candy! Sure, sure, we should eat apples that aren’t covered in caramel or a crunchy red candy shell, but it’s fall, isn’t it!? If you love those […]

Cookies, Desserts

Candy Bowl Cookies

Makes about 2 dozen cookies These cookies are a classic chocolate chip cookie recipe, with a twist. In place of chocolate chips, we’ve used chip-sized pieces of Halloween-favorite chocolate candies, like peanut butter cups, chocolate-covered caramels, and chocolate-coated toffee pieces. Use whatever you like best, adding as many textures as […]

Allergen Friendly, Desserts, Family Fun

Candy Coated Apples

Makes 12 apples These are the crunchy-coated carnival apples of your childhood! You can skip the red food coloring if you prefer. They will be glossy and just as tasty. Keys to Success If using supermarket apples, you must wash off the wax for the candy to adhere. Be careful […]

Desserts

Candy-Coated Fruits

Makes up to 80 pieces Candy-dipped fruits are the perfect combination of fresh fruit and hard candy. They have a crisp outer shell of sugar and the season’s best fruit within—the perfect way to impress your guests at the end of a meal. They should never be refrigerated and must […]

Desserts

Cherry Cordials

Makes 50 pieces There is something special about cherry cordials: all of that delicious syrup waiting to be released when you bite through the chocolate. The most difficult part of making cordials is the patience required to allow the fondant time to liquefy before you eat them all. Ingredients 50 […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Christmas Brittle

Where I grew up in New Jersey, there was a local candy shop that sold macadamia nut brittle that was a prized possession in my house. It was, as you can expect, expensive as kids candy went, and my parents/Santa only got it once a year to sneak into our […]

Desserts

Coconut Joys

Makes 81 pieces This coconut filling is similar to some well-known candy bars. It can be dipped in either milk or dark chocolate, depending on your taste. Placing a whole almond on each piece before dipping adds a nice crunch. Ingredients 2 oz (1/4 cup) water 6 oz (3/4 cup) […]

Desserts, Free Recipes

Dark Chocolate Truffles

Makes 60 truffles Hints for truffle-making success: • To guarantee the most flavorful truffles, use top-quality chocolate. • Make sure the ganache has enough time to firm in the refrigerator. An hour is a good guideline, but it is okay to leave it in longer, even overnight if desired. • […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus, Family Fun

Design Your Own Gingerbread House

Nothing says “Christmas!” like an old-fashioned gingerbread house, and this year, we’re going all out! These cookies are the ideal canvas for all sorts of decorative touches. The dough can be made and baked off in advance and stored in an airtight container until ready to decorate or finish. Use […]