YumSugar

Did This Snickers Commercial Go Too Far?

YumSugar — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:00:58 -0700

For the second time in two years, best-selling candybar, Snickers, has found itself in the middle of a controversy surrounding their latest ad campaign. Candy company Mars has yanked the ad from UK airwaves, where it received backlash from gay-rights activists for being homophobic. The commercial featured surly '80s icon, Mr. T, berating a speed-walking man, calling him "a disgrace to the man race." The tagline? "Get some nuts."

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation criticized Mars and its ad agency for perpetuating stereotypes of gay men. Mars issued a statement last night, saying that the commercial was intended to be funny, not offensive.

While I can see how the ad was meant to be funny, it might have taken things too far. After watching the spot below, let me know what you think. Do you feel the ad is cruel and insensitive, or was the whole situation blown out of proportion?

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Yummy Link: Snickers Adventure Bar

YumSugar — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 05:01:33 -0700

Ready to go on an adventure? Check out Snickers new Adventure Bar. In a special promotion for the new Indiana Jones film, they're releasing a bar with "exotic spice and a hint of sweet coconut." - Candyblog

Introducing the One and Only

YumSugar — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 07:03:51 -0700

A little while ago, I was browsing the candy aisle at Circuit City - I know, weird place to look for candy, but I was there waiting for someone else to make a purchase - when I came across a candy I had never seen before. Called 1&Only, it was a monstrous offering of Chocolate Chip Cookies, Peanut Butter Cups, Oreos, M&Ms, white chocolate chips, and more chocolate. It sounded a bit awful, so naturally I had to buy one.

So how was it? To find out and see close-up pictures, read more.

Well for starters, there are two individual stacks inside. One is a piece of chocolate, stacked with a peanut butter cup, stacked with a chocolate chip cookie and then dotted with some M&Ms. The other is chocolate, stacked with a peanut butter cup, an Oreo, and the sprinkled with white chocolate chips. And based on the description, it should have been delicious. Yet somehow it was just not. It was more gluttonous than anything else. One big sugar bomb, no individual flavors. The calories (240 for both pieces) were comparable to several other candy bars, but personally I'd rather eat a regular Reese's Peanut Butter Cup than this one.

However, if you want to give it a try, here are some retailers that stock the products. Or, you could buy your own, and sandwich them together yourself. Check out what they look like by clicking on the photos below.

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Yummy Link: Twix Java Coming Soon

YumSugar — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 14:30:29 -0700

Here's a limited-edition candy bar I can't wait to get my hands on: Twix Java. Get ready to stock up on this caramel-y coffee chocolate creation when it comes out in December. - The Candy Addict

Summer Reading: Candyfreak

YumSugar — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 10:01:37 -0700

"The author has eaten a piece of candy every single day of his entire life."

I could tell from the first sentence in Steve Almond's love letter to candy, CandyFreak: A Journey through the Chocolate Underbelly of America, that I had found a book that would really speak to me. As someone who also has a huge weakness for candy, I was excited to read the riveting romp in search of unique and under-represented candy bars. The often hilarious Almond - who has an incredible name for someone who is a self-proclaimed Candyfreak - travels across America in search of regional candy. For example, did you know that Idaho is the home to a candy called Idaho Spud and that it's nearly impossible to find Valomilk bars west of the Rockies? While not completely flawless - he does get a little preachy regarding mainstream chocolate manufacturers - Candyfreak is definitely a delicious read. After each chapter, I found myself scouring the aisles of unnamed convenience stores looking for these hard-to-find treats. I had to have Sky Bars and Big Hunks and everything in between. If you're not interested in developing a severe candy habit, then I suggest you steer clear. However if you really want to know what an Idaho Spud is, or how a Clark Bar is manufactured (or even what a Clark Bar is), then definitely check it out. But don't say I didn't warn you, after reading this book you will definitely develop a severe candy habit.

The Sweet Scoop On Dylan Lauren, Candy Connoisseur

YumSugar — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 09:15:10 -0700

Earlier this week, candy collector Dylan Lauren - the fashionable founder of Dylan's Candy Bar and daughter of designer Ralph Lauren - offered some of her favorite ideas for making weddings a sweet occasion. We caught up with Lauren in person while she was in town at Neiman Marcus promoting her Barbie 50th Anniversary candy line. The candy entrepreneur took some time out of la dolce vita to talk to us about her favorite guilty pleasure and offer more suggestions for bringing candy into the party mix. Find out what they are when you read more.

YumSugar: How did your Barbie candy line come about?
Dylan Lauren: I was approached by Mattel to celebrate Barbie's 50th birthday, since we have the same audience: women ages five to 80, who collect Barbie and collect candy. Mattel had personified Barbie, and decided that she likes to shop at Dylan's Candy Bar.

YS: You've traveled a lot. Do you have favorite candies from other countries?
DL: Actually, in November and December, we'll be featuring candies from around the world: Clodhoppers from Canada, and Australian licorice, which is really chewy, and Kinder and Kinder eggs.

Foreign candy looks pretty, but it doesn't taste as good to me - for example, Japanese candy looks pretty but I don't like the way it tastes. I like Swedish Fish, gumballs, Cadbury Creme Eggs, and strawberry licorice laces. I don't like fancy stuff - I like basic basics.

YS: You've said that you're a visual person. How would you use candy as decoration when hosting and entertaining?
DL: Color-coordinate your house with candy. Now that it's Spring, pastels would be a great color scheme. You can also focus on shapes; there's a candy for everything. Our East Hampton candy store is full of ocean-themed candy. We recently did a fashion party where we featured chocolate high heels. Candy crafts - like making candy jewelry or using candy molds - are great activities, too.

YS: What about candy arrangements?
DL: I love to have a vase of jelly beans that have been layered with different rainbow colors, topped off with candy flowers, or lollipops of different sizes. They make great centerpieces!

Do you have any gift recommendations for Mother's Day?
DL: Barbie is mother-daughter themed, and such a collector's item. I also have my Re-Treat bath and body line. Or chocolate tulips and chocolate butterflies.

YS: What's next for you?
DL: I'm coming out with a candy book in the Summer of 2010. It's about celebrating with candy for all occasions.

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Sweet Expansion at Dylan's Candy Bar

partysugar — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 05:30:57 -0700

Just in time for Halloween, Dylan's Candy Bar in New York City has expanded. An additional 5,000 square feet have been added, making it the largest candy store in the world. Opened in September 2001 by Dylan Lauren, daughter of fashion icon Ralph, the store sells more than 5,000 varieties of candy - from bulk chocolate treats and gummy candies to 21 different colors of M&Ms and novelty sweets such as three-foot-tall lollipops and candy mobile phones. A real-life Candyland, Dylan's is a destination for kids and adults alike with its candy-themed clothing and jewelry, a private party room, and a soda shop. To celebrate the store's expansion, Dylan's hosted a grand reopening party earlier this week that brought out the child in all of its attendees, including yours truly! Here's my behind-the-scenes look at the fiesta.

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I Heart Candy: Heath Bar Cake

partysugar — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 14:48:13 -0700

Every now and then I crave and eat an entire Caramello, so when YumSugar proposed her I Heart Candy challenge I figured I'd make a homemade version of a Caramello. However homemade caramel involves an entire hour of constant stirring, so I brainstormed and was immediately reminded of an old childhood favorite: Heath bar cake!

A Heath bar is a thin slab of English toffee covered with smooth milk chocolate. Made with a boxed cake mix, this dessert comes together in no time and can be masterfully assembled by any inexperienced cook. With layers of sweetened condensed milk, creamy caramel sauce, and clouds of pillowy whipped cream topped off with chunks of the classic Heath candy bar, this is one recipe that you have to try. Take a look at just how easy it is, read more

Heath Bar Cake
From Epicurious Forum

1 box of German chocolate cake mix
1 can of sweetened condensed milk
1 bottle or jar of caramel
1 tub of Cool Whip
4 Heath or Skor bars, crushed

Bake cake as directed according to box.
Poke holes about the size of a pencil all over the top of the cake.
Drizzle the milk and caramel over the cake, making a thin layer.
Refrigerate until completely cool. Cover with Cool Whip. Sprinkle the Heath or Skor bars.

Serves 8-10.

PartySugar's Notes: Instead of using cool whip (I felt guilty about making a cake from a box) I made whipped cream. Beat 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream with 1 tablespoon vanilla, and 2 heaping tablespoons powdered sugar until stiff peaks form. I also used one extra Heath bar.

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Yummy Links: From Yumpkins to Homemade Candy Bars

partysugar — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 08:00:00 -0700

Looking for another interesting dessert? How about Yumpkins? Or pumpkin cheesecake bars with a poundcake crust. - Slashfood
Pumpkins can be used for more than just sweet treats so try these savory pumpkin recipes. - iVillage
Hunted by a nightmare, the Amateur Gourmet makes linzertorte, a tasty hazelnut and raspberry jam dessert. - Serious Eats
Update your kitchen's looks with gorgeous Ikat print napkins and placemats. - CasaSugar
Check out this list that helps you determine when certain food products go bad. - Will Work For Food
A fabulous sugar box will sweetly spice up any boring kitchen. - Apartment Therapy

How scary is this life-size wedding cake? - Baking Bites
Get more fiber from your daily bread intake. - FitSugar
Make sure to correctly store cheese. - Culinate
Why buy processed candy bars when you could make your own? Doesn't the homemade Twixt, look to die for? - Chow

Dylan Lauren's Sweet Tips For Your Wedding

YumSugar — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 15:00:01 -0700

If you want your wedding to be a grand production but don't have the budget, remember that tiny flourishes like thoughtful candy will make the moment just as delightful. We employed the help of Dylan Lauren, daughter of Ralph Lauren and owner of Dylan's Candy Bar, a dessert outpost with locations in New York, Houston, and Florida. "We do a lot of candy favors for weddings," Lauren says. To see her pointers for making your wedding a sweet success, read more.

Include jordan almonds. In Italy, jordan almonds are popular because their egg shape symbolizes fertility and life.
Integrate silver and white candies. For a wedding theme, incorporate white chocolate roses or white petits fours.
Match candy to the bridesmaids' dresses. Reinforce your wedding's color scheme in a unique way by matching candy colors to the hues of the wedding party.
Customize favors. Design custom candy bar wrappers to announce your marriage, or enchant guests with customized lollipops.

Have you seen any other creative uses of candy in weddings past? If so, share them with us below!

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