Peppermint Bark

This weekend I made Martha Stewart's peppermint bark.  I love how festive and pretty it came out, and it just takes three ingredients: white chocolate, peppermints, and puffed rice cereal (Rice Krispies - duh).  I was intrigued with the addition of Rice Krispies as I had never seen that in a peppermint bark recipe,  and I really think it adds something unexpected to the treat.

Candy Bar Dissection

From GtheGentleman.

Can you identify any of these?  I spot Almond Joy or is it a Mounds?

Peppermint Buttons

Photo of Peppermint Buttons from Andie's Specialty Sweets.

While perusing Bonnie Tsang's beautiful blog (I just love her photographs), I came across these chocolate buttons made by Andie's Specialty Sweets on Etsy.  I couldn't help but go directly to the shop and check all the amazing and lovely cake decorations Andie makes!  I just love the peppermint buttons!  The colors are perfect for spring and I can't believe they are edible.  Time to start making some cupcakes!  Click here to check out the shop.

The Best Thing I Had In My Mouth: Bequet Caramel

My mom sent me my favorite Bequet caramels for Valentine's Day.  The chipotle caramels are one of my favorites - incredibly soft, smooth, and spicy.  Click here to get yourself some :)

Valentine's Day Gift Ideas

I know that a lot of people hate Valentine's Day with a passion, but I love it!  It is the one day when Cynical Me actually likes to tell people that I like them.  So since it is officially February today, I thought I would create a list of delicious goodies you could give someone special or share with a friend while you are watching Somethings Got To Give.

Lets start with chocolate:

L.A. Burdick has these adorable chocolate mice.  They are just too cute to pass up.  The chocolate hearts and cigars are fun too.

An expensive, but fancy gift of Champagne with Rose Truffles from Vosges would be perfect for the traditional romantic.  Vosges also carries Champagne with Exotic Truffles too.

You can also by the Exotic Candy Bar Library and divide the bars of chocolate among friends.  I love the Woolloomooloo bar :)  Vosges really has an extensive selection of gifts, so be sure to check out their website.

Candy:

I cannot say enough good things about Bequet Caramels (click here to read my review).  These caramels are to-die-for.  Instead of the traditional chocolate, try the Chipotle Caramels to spice things up, or the Celtic Sea Salt Caramels.  SO GOOD.  Click here to visit the Bequet Confections.

Divan's Turkish Delight.  Okay, so I have never had this candy, but it is so pretty.  I regret not trying any at Borough Market last year.  You can find this brand at Harrods.  Click here to order.

The All Bacon & Chocolate Gift Box from Vosges would an amazing gift for the bacon lover.

There is also this Sir Francis Peanut Brittle that looks like fun.

Cookies:

Momofuku Compost Cookies ship in packs of 6.  Their Cornflake Cookie is pretty good too.  Click here to order.

If you want to get cutesy, try a French macaron.  If only Laduree had a shop in the States, but alas they don't.  Instead try Macaron Cafe.  They deliver nationwide.

Tea:

Kusmi Sweet Love Tea is one of their most popular teas.  Who can resist their hot pink tins?  The tea is sweet and spicy, and is delicious with some milk and sugar.

Harney & Sons has a Valentine's Tea Blend of chocolate tea with rose buds for the season.

And if you want something to sweeten the tea, try this Four Cheese Honey Flight or the Ames Farm Honey Sampler from Terrain.

The Best Thing I Had In My Mouth - Peanut Brittle

The best thing I had in my mouth this week was my mom's peanut brittle.  It is a pretty simple recipe, so simple you use a microwave.  Here is the recipe:

Ingredients for Microwavable Peanut Brittle:

-1 cup granulated sugar

-1/2 cup corn syrup

-Dash of salt

-1 to 1 1/2 cups raw peanuts, shelled

-1 tablespoon butter

-1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

-1 teaspoon vanilla

To begin, grease baking sheet heavily.

Combine sugar, corn syrup, and salt in 3 quart bowl.  Microwave at high until light brown, about 8-10 minutes.  Stop and stir twice during the microwaving.

Stir in remaining ingredients until light and foamy.  Quickly spread on greased baking sheet.  Spread as thin as possible for brittle candy.  Let cool completely, and then break into pieces.  Enjoy :)

Gift Idea: Enstrom's Almond Toffee

Picture from Entrom's website.

I heard Jane and Michael Stern rave about Enstrom's Almond Toffee over a year or two ago on The Splendid Table.  Their passion for "the world's greatest candy," as they describe it, still burns in my ears.  I am definitely going to make a purchase to share this holiday season.  The Denver company's ingredients are so fresh and pure that the toffee must be kept refrigerated or frozen.  Made from Colorado butter, the toffee is coated with milk or dark chocolate, and dusted with crushed almonds.  The picture above is mouth watering!  Click here to check out Enstrom's other treats :)

The Best Thing I Had In My Mouth - Zaza Candy

If you have ever been to B & H, you know just how crazy it can get in there.  Most people go there for their huge assortment of camera equipment, but I go there for their Zaza candy.  This small, chewy taffy is kosher and comes in a wide variety of fruity flavors.  There are small bowls taffy throughout the two-floor store.  I usually pretend to be looking at equipment, but really I am scouting out my next bowl, which I quickly snatch taffy and put in my pockets.  I come out of the store with my pockets filled to the brim - no joke.  The grape flavor Zaza is definitely the best thing I had in my mouth last week :)

Papabubble

For my birthday last year, my coworker gave me some candy from Papabubble.  It was delicious and nostalgic and I knew I had to visit their shop in Little Italy someday.  I have gone a couple times now and it is a delight to see them actually making the candy in front of you.  Papabubble creates a variety of candies, but my favorite definitely is the lavender.  It is sweet, but has this refreshing and relaxing effect - just like when smelling the actual plant.  I like to pop one (or five) in my mouth just to mellow out.  If you are in New York, you should stop by Papabubble (click here for a map).  Or click here to visit their website.  There are some beautiful photos featuring their candies as well as their shops.

Lavender candy.

Bequet Caramels

Last summer I was perusing through a Martha Stewart Living article (August 2008) about things made in America. The article was dedicated to handmade crafts, candies, and antiques. Montana's Bequet Confections was mentioned as having the best caramels around. According to Martha, they were enhanced with unusual gourmet flavors.

The next day I got on the Bequet Confections website and ordered myself an 8 ounce bag variety pack of caramels so I could experience them all. They have ten varieties ranging from black licorice to pomegranate, but my top four favorites (it is really hard to choose) were the Celtic sea salt caramel, espresso caramel, chipotle caramel, and the ultimate salt-chocolate caramel. I just love the salty-sweet combination. You can order any flavors you want, which is so nice after you figure out your favorites. When my bag arrived I savored every caramel like they were small treasures for my mouth. Each caramel was surprisingly soft and melt-in-your-mouth. They all were rich and well-flavored.

Bequet Confections was started by Robin Bequet after working in technology sales management for 25 years. She had always been making caramels for friends, and after she lost her job in 2001 she began to seriously consider candy making as a business endeavour. In December 2001, Bequet Confections became a reality and today is an award-winning caramel company. In a blind test taste 17 out of 18 people prefer Bequet's caramels compared to other gourmet caramels.

My mom gave me a large bag of Bequet's caramels (with my four favorite varieties) for Christmas. I just finished the last one this week. To spread this small quantity out for three and a half months takes restraint. To try these caramels click here, you won't be disappointed - promise!