Anyway, in my search for the ever so cool I found  Lolliphile. It is the coolest site. It was new to me, although it might not be to you.

Guess who Kyrie takes after? Uh Huh. This was taken at a local candy store, by the way.

They have unusual flaovred lollies like Bourbon, White Russian, Absinthe, Wasabi Ginger, Maple Bacon, and Pomegranate Tangerine. They look like oversized Dum Dum pops.

Wasabi Ginger? I am seriously looking these over wondering which I would start with! It would be a cool stocking stuffer for the foodie on you list this Christmas..not too early to think about that.O.k. yeah, it IS too early to think about that but get some anyway..they look awesome.

image:marye audet

Post from: Baking Delights

Yesterday I saw an odd email.  I didn’t recognize it but it didn’t look like spam either, you know?

Does that make you break out in a sweat?  It does me. Open it? Don’t open it? What if it is some sort of virus.

I will have to admit that curiousity got the better of me as it often does and I opened it.  I had to read it twice.

Chris Bui with Sees Candies had emailed me with a simple request.  Could I create an ice cream using Sees Candy?

Ha!  COULD I !?!

I was addicted to Sees when Marc and I lived in Monterey .  There was a mall not too far from the Presidio where Sees could be had seven days a week.

Oh the bliss!

So…being the coy, aloof type that you all know I am I IMMEDIATELY wrote back and said…How about XYZ? (I am keeping THAT a secret for now).

And then I added…Would you like to sponsor a giveaway to go along with it?  My readers are the coolest.

So, dear readers, yet another giveaway is in the works…Stay tuned for more details.   And as soon as I have the ice cream made..the recipe will be right here.

Unless it is awful.  Then I will just post it under an assumed name somewhere.

Image:Sees Candy

Post from: Baking Delights

I love the word hearth, it conjures up romantic images of cottages, crackling fires and romantic heroes.

And the cake? That picture is from 1963…and I will share the story in a day or so…

Anyway, Valentines Day has become a holiday that is all about how much you spend, just like Christmas and Easter. The candy companies have convinced us that without a $20 box of chocolate our day is incomplete and we are unloved.

Is there anything more loving that homemade? I don’t think so. Here are some ideas for you, some are mine, some are from around the web. Take back the day. Simplicity is good for our budgets, our environment, but most importantly, simplicity is good for the soul.

Oh, and remember, if you are not reading this at http://bakingdelights.com, then you are reading stolen material.

1. A Chocolate Portrait. Seriously this site shows you how to do a portrait from a black and white picture in chocolate! What a great gift!

2. Decorated Cookies. I love this sugar cookie recipe. I will be making some Valentines Day cookies from it closer to Valentine’s Day. Beautiful with pink sprinkles, or glazed, or gilded with tons of royal icing flowers.

3. Chocolate & Earl Grey Terrine. This is rich, chocolaty and luscious. And sensual. Perfect with a sparkling dessert wine.

4. Melt some good chocolate and dip pretzels in it. Yum.

5.Chocolate Truffle Brownies

6. Apricot and white chocolate scones, cut in a heart shape? Or substitute dried cherries and dark chocolate!

7. Make your own truffles. It really is easy, and believe it or not you can make them as well as Godiva. I promise.

Basic Chocolate Truffles

8 oz good quality chocolate (50% cocoa, preferably higher) broken into pieces
1/2 c heavy cream

1 Tsp corn syrup

1 Tbs unsalted butter

Bring cream, butter, and corn syrup just to a simmer. Remove from heat, and add in chocolate. Do not stir but allow chocolate to soften for 3-5 minutes. Stir until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is smooth. refrigerate until set. Using a melon baller, dip out the cold ganache and roll into balls. Dip into melted chocolate or roll in cocoa.

8. You can also make tea infused truffles, Earl Grey Truffles

9. Three Cheese Fondue with Champagne. I would be impressed.

10. Chocolate Covered Cherries. Yum

Not only that…but over the next week or so I will be giving my recipe for a Romantic Valentines Day dinner, as well as some yummy chocolate covered espresso beans over on Kettle and Cup… I LOVE Valentines Day..so check both blogs …
Today is the first day of voting for the chocolate contest. You can vote for me AND register to win a matching trip yourself…just click on the link.

Post from: Baking Delights

Texas is such an odd climate. I spent the first 12 years of my life in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and I always have a hard time associating this weather with Christmas! It was 80 degrees three days ago..then we had some snow flurries..then it was in the 60’s and now, today, it is in the 30’s again. I miss the Currier and Ives Christmases of the North East!

Today, at my house, we are going to make cookies and cream bark. It is easy, delicious, and makes an awesome gift. The kids have a great time doing it too! Give it a try and see what you think. It may well become a yearly tradition.

2 lbs white chocolate

1 half package mint oreos, cut in pieces. Use more if you like.

Spray a large cookie sheet or casserole pan with PAM or any cooking spray. Line it with waxed paper. Spray waxed paper with more spray.

melt 2 lbs of white chocolate and spread over the waxed paper. Quickly sprinkle chopped oreos over the top and press in carefully. Allow to set in the fridge. Remove and break into pieces.You can, at this point, melt milk chocolate and spread it on a prepared cookie sheet and lay the cookies and cream bark on it for a second layer of chocolate.

You can use nearly anything in place of the oreos:

regular oreos, m & m’s, peppermints, macadamia nuts, etc.

I will try to get pictures later…I am not on my regular computer (yeah..it is sulking again) .

Post from: Baking Delights