You can make these without any chocolate added and then just dip the plain meringues into some melted chocolate instead.

Milk Chocolate Meringues
from fosters.com

3 egg whites
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
2/3 cup sugar
2 tablespoons water
1/2 cup finely chopped milk chocolate

~ Heat the oven to 250 F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

~ In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the egg whites and cream of tartar until they hold soft peaks.

~ In a small saucepan over medium-high, heat the sugar and water, stirring until the sugar has dissolved. Continue to cook until the mixture reaches 240 F on a candy or instant read thermometer.

~ With the mixer on high, pour the sugar syrup into the egg white mixture, pouring it in a steady stream down the side of the bowl. Continue to beat until the meringue cools, then use a silicone spatula to fold in the chopped chocolate.

~ Use a pastry bag to pipe stars or use a tablespoon to dollop the mixture onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake until dry to the touch, about 45 minutes. Let cool on the baking sheet and store in an airtight container. Makes 30 cookies.

[image: flickr]

Post from: Chocolate Bytes

The 5.5 ounce pie chart is divided up into three different sections: a 70% milk chocolate, 20% dark chocolate, and 10% white chocolate. I’m not sure what the significance of each section means — maybe the percentage of people who prefer the dark, milk and white? It’s also packaged up in a cute, simple white box that doesn’t make you guess what’s inside!

This would make a great gift for a statistics nut heading to college or high school. It ships directly from their office in Brooklyn, New York. I wonder if they use cool packs for the summer? Unfortunately, they’re currently out of stock though the site does indicate that they’re restocking, so hopefully it’s not an indefinitely status.

[image: mary and matt.net]

Post from: Chocolate Bytes

National Milk Chocolate Day, oddly enough, doesn’t seem to have much background info attached with it. Some speculate it was created by chocolate confectioners, and others say it’s a reason for the 65% of the US population who prefer milk chocolate to proudly display their love for their yummiest weakness!

Regardless of why the holiday exists, I say we all go out and share our favorite milk chocolate treats with friends and family! So to celebrate, I’m taking the Peanut Butter Dove out of the fridge (it’s pretty darn good and I haven’t had time to get to the See’s in the mall recently!) and I’m going to share it with the kids.

How are you going to celebrate Milk Chocolate Day?

[image: flickr]

Post from: Chocolate Bytes

I seem to be on a s’mores kick lately. Maybe it’s the time of year, what with camping and cooler nights, etc.

Anyway, the above video shows how to make chocolate fondue s’mores with milk chocolate, marshmallow cream, and graham cracker crumbs. Yum!

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I know it’s not really the time of year for hot chocolate, but the recipe for this one intrigued me and I wanted to share.

Rob, owner and chocolatier of Kingsbury Chocolates in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia shares his recipe for lavendar hot chocolate (complete with chopped pistachios on top!). I like that you can use any kind of milk, from whole to soy, and anything from dark chocolate to white chocolate!

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I’ve been looking for these everywhere and finally found a box last week!

Snickers Charged is a limited edition 1.83oz bar that includes 60 milligrams of caffeine as well as taurine and B-vitamins in addition to the milk chocolate, peanuts, caramel and nougat of a regular bar.

The packaging, which I assume is supposed to portray power and energy, is silver with a charging rhino. My first impression was that it was leaning a little too much toward a power bar look, something I’m not interested in, so it didn’t appeal to me much at all. If it weren’t for the mention of caffeine on the box and wrapper I probably would have bypassed them altogether!

Anyway, I really enjoyed the bar itself! I’ve been disappointed with past limited edition chocolate and candy bars, but I liked the Snickers Charged. While I’ve never been a huge Snickers fan – if given a choice at the checkout or candy aisle I’ll usually go for some Reese’s – and it’s been a while since I’ve had a regular Snickers, it tasted pretty much what I remember Snickers tasting like in general – a, well, satisfying mix of smooth chocolate, peanuts, nougat and caramel.

I didn’t find it to have a metallic taste or bitter aftertaste and while caffeine doesn’t affect me to the point that I walk around wired I did notice a bit of a pick-me-up not longer after I was finished. In all, I really liked the Snickers Charged and think I might pick up another box next time I’m out before Mars yanks them from the shelves!

[images: personal collection; all rights reserved]

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Milk Chocolate: A Love Story. Too cute!

Post from: Chocolate Bytes

Did you know Amazon has an entire Gourmet Chocolate section in their grocery area? Somehow, I didn’t either. Imagine ordering a box of chocolate (or three) and a couple of books at the same time and having them all delivered right to your doorstep. That’s my idea of heaven.

They’ve got chocolate assortments, milk chocolate, and dark chocolate. And of course now is the perfect time to check out what they have for Valentine’s Day. No See’s (nobody’s perfect) but they do carry some of my new favorite, Emily’s Chocolates.

Post from: Chocolate Bytes

Post from: Chocolate Bytes