The recent release of Warner Brothers’ Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory to Blu-Ray got me thinking — which Willy Wonky and the Chocolate Factory (or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) do you prefer?

Both adaptations of the book by Roald Dahl have their merits, of course, but personally, I prefer the current remake with Johnny Depp. I grew up with the Gene Wilder original from the 70’s and to be honest there was just always something about it that creeped me out. It was great fodder for the imagination (a chocolate and candy factory all to yourself? Yes, please!) but …read more

Mother’s Day is less than two weeks away, on May 10th, and what better way to let mom know how much she means to you than with a box of delicious chocolate?

As always, See’s Candies has a nice selection of Mother’s Day gifts that any mom would be happy to receive!
Packaged in pretty pastel boxes or a standard classic white box, I can tell you there are few other things I’d rather get from my kids Sunday morning (of course, handmade cards are on that short list!).
For that reason I’ve got a $25 gift card to See’s Candies to …read more

Dove chocolates are one of the few store-bought brands that I have to have in my chocolate stash at all times. The flavor and texture are satisfying and great for whether I want a quick chocolate snack or to treat myself.

But now they’ve gone and done it with Peanut Butter Dove. I was sent a bag this week and I’m not ashamed to say that it doesn’t seem to be lasting very long. The Dove chocolate is as rich and smooth as it always is, and the creamy peanut butter center is absolutely perfect.
One of the complaints I have …read more

When I think of chocolate, I admit one of the first thoughts that doesn’t pop into my head is spring! Regardless of whether it’s milk or dark, mixed with nuts or fruits or just plain, chocolate usually isn’t delicate enough to evoke thoughts of new flowers or warm breezes.
However, I’ve now tried a chocolate that has changed that. Choclatique has created a spring assortment of molded chocolates that are as decadent as its name, and, if you’ll forgive the prose, as light and fresh as a spring morning.
The collection holds 15 pieces in a beautiful rainbow of colors from pink …read more

There’s never not a good time for chocolate sauce! It can be drizzled on ice cream, over brownies, used for dipping or mixed into milk.

Deluxe Chocolate Sauce
2 c of semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 c of butter/margarine
1 tb of instant coffee powder
1/8 ts salt
1 tb of vanilla extract
2 c of powdered sugar
1 c of light corn syrup
1 c of hot water
Measure first five ingredients into a saucepan. Heat and stir over medium heat until smooth, remove from heat. Beat in icing sugar, syrup and water until smooth. Pour into jar, store in refrigerator. Makes 4 cups.
[image: flickr]

This week is International Pancake Week, and to have a little fun I did some searching for chocolate pancake videos. The one above shows how to make Chocolate Chip Pancakes from scratch and gives you the complete ingredient list at the end.
When I make chocolate chip pancakes for my kids I usually like to use the Nestle mini chips. I find I get more coverage and they don’t tend to melt to the pan as much as standard chips do.
Check out these white chocolate blueberry pancakes, and this cute video of chocolate chip pancakes used to make sundaes!

This is a yummy treat just in time for Valentine’s Day!
Ferrero is generously offering up five of their 16-piece Valentine hearts with all three of their popular Ferrero flavors (Rocher, Rondnoir, and Garden)!
As always, be sure to check out the very sweet ShareSomethingSweet.com for some cute, free Valentine’s Day e-cards!
To Enter:
Leave a comment here telling me what your most romantic moment (ever!) has been (try and keep it PG! . That’s it!
~ Giveaway closes at 5:00pm PST tomorrow, Tuesday February 10. Winners will be randomly chosen and notified by email and will have 24 hours to respond …read more

I’ve always wanted to make these but just haven’t gotten around to it. I’m not sure why since they couldn’t be easier, and the kids would have an absolute blast with them!
Reader Eileen sent me this link to a recipe for cake balls that I’ve printed out and set on my desk as a reminder. These will be great for a sweet snack for this weekend’s Super Bowl party, though I’d probably have to double or triple it because I have a feeling they’d be a big hit!
Chocolate Cake Balls
1 box cake mix
1 container frosting
1- 24 oz package of almond …read more

Q.bel Foods, a new premium chocolate candy bar company, announced today that it has rolled out a new line of chocolate candy bars that are pure, all-natural and delicious!
Q.bel chocolate candy bars are made without any artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, high fructose corn syrup or hydrogenated oils (trans fat). Q.bel candy bars are available at Whole Foods Markets nationwide.
“We aspire to provide our customers with the best tasting chocolate candy bars on the planet,” said Bahram Shirazi, CEO of Q.bel Foods.
“We live by three simple beliefs: Be True, Be Honest, Be Good. At Q.bel we use only the …read more

Few things go together so well as chocolate and peanut butter! Clara Marie’s Authentic Southern Bakery knows this and has “rolled out” yummy handmade chocolate peanut butter balls in their Greensboro, NC bakery.
The balls are hand-rolled fresh and then hand-dipped in chocolate from a recipe passed down from grandma. The balls come with six to a bag tied with a pretty ribbon.
Two lucky winners will win one bag each!
To Enter:

Leave a comment here telling me what your favorite handmade treat is. That’s it!
* Contest closes at 5:00pm PST on Thursday, January 29. Winner will be notified by email and will …read more