It’s that time — See’s Candies have rolled out their holiday candy selection just in time for gift buying, and if you’re like me that can’t be done soon enough!

From now until Friday, November 27th, you’ve got a shot to win a $25 gift card from See’s Candies. Use it on yourself, or use it to buy someone else a very tasty holiday treat. It also fits quite nicely in a stocking (I should know, my awesome husband puts a card in mine every year!).
(Don’t forget to check out their great Thanksgiving candies, too!)
To Enter:

To enter this giveaway, leave a …read more

While perusing some of my favorite blogs yesterday, I came across this recipe for chocolate chip cookies made with olive oil instead of butter. I’ve made olive oil cake before, and I like using it when I make bread, so using it in cookies didn’t seem as weird to me as it might to some!

I found these at Crepes of Wrath, and since I always have the supplies on hand to make chocolate chip cookies, I printed out the recipe and headed straight for the kitchen. They were easy enough to make, though the dough is a little different that …read more

I found a lot of delicious, warm, chocolaty links this week, from baked goodies to warm syrupy treats and even a savory rub. There’s something for everyone!

~ Cinnamon Churros with Real Hot Chocolate at Almost Bourdain
~ Cocoa Brownies from Lemonpi
~ Chocolate-Dipped Coconut Macaroons at Piece of Cake
~ Dove’s Peppermint Bark Review from Candy Blog
~ Chocolate and Cookies Loaf Cake at Food & Cook
~ Chocolate Shortbread Cookies from Savoring Time in the Kitchen
~ Peanut Butter and Chocolate Bundt Cake at The Food Librarian
~ Pear and Dark Chocolate Jam from Flagrante Delicia
~ How to Make English Toffee at Eddy Van Damme
~ Oreo …read more

Chocolate mousse always reminds me of the holiday season. Though I didn’t get it as a child, my first experience with it as an adult was just before Christmas and it’s an association that’s stuck!

This recipe comes from Edhat.com, and is the perfect adult treat for a get-together or an evening at home. Top with a little whipped cream and some chocolate shavings for a fancier presentation.
Bourbon Chocolate Mousse
Half-cup heavy cream
3 tablespoons powdered sugar
2 tablespoons Bourbon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped (3/4 cup)
4 large egg whites at room temperature
Pinch of table salt
~ Chill 4 ramekins.
~ Boil …read more

One of my favorite newer chocolate shops, Sucré, have unveiled their Holiday collection for 2009!

The New Orleans-based confectioner Sucré is known for their delectable, hand-crafted chocolates as well as their delicious pastries and macarons (which are even Oprah-approved!). Located in the heart of the Garden District on Magazine Street, their home-made and hand-crafted chocolates and pastries are sold alongside a variety of gelatos, gourmet coffees and even champagne for in-store guests.
What makes this holiday season extra sweet, though, is that Sucré has teamed up with the Louisiana SPCA, and a portion of every dollar spent online will go directly to …read more

We’ve warmed up again this week (boo!) and while I’m still in a baking mood I’ve kept my eye out for some non-typical autumn treats for this week’s chocolaty blog link round-up.

~ S’Mores Cookies from Framed
~ The Twilight Saga: New Moon Heart’s Desire Sky Bar Review at Candy Blog
~ Chocolate Caramel Cookie Bars from Elizabeth’s Edible Experience
~ Old Fashioned Chestnut Cake at Menu Turistico
~ Chocolate Custard Tarts from Almost Bourdain
~ Earl Gray Truffles at Shortbread
~ Chocolate Cream Caramel from Blog Resipi
~ Chocolate Pumpkin and Pecan Brownies at The Good Mood Food Blog
~ ‘Throw it all in’ Chocolate Fudge from …read more

I tried a chocolate banana bread recipe last month, and since I had overripe bananas on my counter again this week I decided to see if I could dig up another recipe to try.

This one is from Daydreamer Desserts, and while the recipes are somewhat similar, this new one included the addition of sour cream. I have to admit that I couldn’t really taste the sour cream when the bread was finished, but it did help make for a light and fluffy batter when I was mixing it up!
Though this recipe was good, I did end up having to keep …read more

We know that research is being done on how chocolate can help in the recovery from a heart attack, how chocolate milk can help sore muscles heal, how it could prevent malaria, protect against dementia, keep your bones healthy, and help with headaches, and now we can add one more to this ever-growing list: wrinkles!

Research published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology is showing that the same antioxidants that are good for your heart are also good for your skin, and that a daily dose of dark chocolate could very well keep you looking younger. Sounds like my kind of …read more

I’m all for eating chocolate, of course, but it can also be fun to decorate with it (temporarily!) for the upcoming holidays!

This gigantic chocolate turkey from Bissinger’s is touted as a “centerpiece” decoration for your Thanksgiving table. The semi-solid piece is made from milk chocolate with some nice darker chocolate accents, and stands at nine inches tall by 8.5 inches wide. It’s also gluten-free!
Though the real turkey and sides are the stars of the meal, I have to admit I’d be eyeballing the chocolate version if it were on my table!
Bissinger’s also has a lot of other Thanksgiving-related chocolate and …read more

Even though the kids are practically swimming in Halloween candy this weekend, I can’t help but feel the urge to pull out my cookbooks or browse through my bookmarks to make a sweet chocolaty treat. It’s not like I have a bag full of candybars and sugar, right?

~ Mexican Hot Chocolate from Zested
~ Double Chocolate Toffee Ice Cream at Mangio da Sola
~ Homemade Chocolate Chip Cannoli from My Kitchen Addiction
~ Filipino Hot Chocolate at Burnt Lumpia
~ Soft Pretzel Samoas from Big Red Kitchen
~ Chocolate Chip Date Cake at C’est La Vegan
~ Chocolate Covered Roasted Garlic from Cupcake Project
~ Pear Chocolate …read more