YumSugar

I Heart Candy: PB Buckeyes Take Home The Apron!

YumSugar — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 11:01:18 -0700

Well folks, the votes have been tallied and the people's choice I Heart Candy fave has been decided! Our very own TeamSugar member sweetheart_450 will be receiving a lovely YumSugar apron. Congrats sweetheart, folks really seemed to love your Peanut Butter Buckeyes! However, I must point out that it was a rather close race - in fact it was only one vote that separated you from the next leader! And although it sounds cheesey, you folks are all winners in my book, after all, we're talking about candy here! To see the final results, read more

I Heart Candy Roundup

YumSugar — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 13:28:39 -0700

I was so excited to open up my inbox and see it stuffed with I Heart Candy submissions. You guys are really amazing and totally impress me, from cookies to truffles and everything in between, you guys really love your candy! There are 20 entries total, so let's just get this candy-loving party started!

Oh and if you sent one in and it didn't appear here, use the contact form above to drop me a line and I'll get it added!

Entry #1
Our first entry comes from TeamSugar member calibabi who wrote in to share her recipes for Rolo Cookies and Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Cookies. I think I know what I'll be baking this weekend!

Entry #2
Kate from A Way To Eat took her home state Vermont into consideration when she made maple walnut pepper crunch. This looks fantastic over ice cream, but I bet I could eat handfuls on its own!

Entry #3
Amy from Seattle's Nook & Pantry melted my heart with green tea truffles. I've had these once before and have always wanted to make my own. Thanks for submitting these!

Entry #4
Utah-based Heather from dustbunnies wrote in to tell about her favorite new candy: Bertie Botts Every Flavored Jelly Bean. As someone who's a big Harry Potter fan, I was excited to hear that she and her family love to play Bertie Botts russian roulette. Hope you don't end up with the vomit flavored one!

For SIXTEEN more sweet entries, read more

Entry #5
Manila-based SweetPleasures got inspired by the film Chocolat and made us some lovely homemade chocolates. I gotta make my own someday too!

Entry #6
Bon Vivant's own Colorado-based Chelsea decided to make an English Toffee Inspiration Sundae. Is it bad that I am craving this so early in the morning?!

Entry #7
Candied blood orange peels end up being the secret weapon for Nina of Sweet Napa. Her orange creamsicle birthday cake will surely beat the Los Angeles heat!

Entry #8
Based in the Philippines, Chef KC wrote in to say that it's fun to play with your food, especially if it's candy!

Entry #9
Minko of Couture Cupcakes sent these vodka soaked Red Skins cupcakes all the way from Australia. I've never even heard of Red Skins (a raspberry "flavoured" hard candy), but I really want to try these!

Entry #10
TeamSugar member Karla Sugar wrote in to say that although it sounds odd, she thinks water with lemon tastes just like candy! Especially if it's room-temp or cool (not ice cold). What do you guys think?!

Entry #11
Maryland based TeamSugar members crispet1 and beamer1, did three entries! First they created a selection of adorable candy filled phyllo purses and then they created cute cupcakes and a drink they call "Gummy Worm" - can't wait to try them all!

Entry #12
Our very own GeikoSera has decided to list her favorite candy. Mallo Cups... mmm....

Entry #13
Molly was able to capture a pic of the elusive Knut the polar gummi bear!

Entry #14
Canada-based Sweetheart_450 sent her recipe for Peanut Butter Buckeyes. She says they're the most delicious sweets she's ever tasted and a must try for everyone!

Entry #15
Team member Bonne sent us a recipe for rock candy and then wrote in to tell us how she used to eat all the fundraiser candy! Shhh.. don't tell!

Entry #16
SU3 of TeamSugar treated us with two delights: M&M's Kisses pretzels and Butterfinger popcorn balls. I can't decide which treat I want to try first!

Entry #17
TeamSugar member poetess treated us to a quick poem about candy.

Entry #18
The office went wild for the Heath Bar Cake that PartySugar made. So delicious!

Entry #19
Our pal TeamSugar shared her weakness for Milk Duds and Dots (just not at the same time)!

Entry #20
And finally, I started the whole shebang by creating Reese's PB Cup Cookies.

Not enough candy? Be sure to check out some more candy related posts. There's still some time left in June, so it's not over yet!

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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I Heart Candy Submissions Due Tomorrow!

YumSugar — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 09:01:31 -0700

I hope you've been enjoying National Candy Month as much as we have - in addition to eating our candy, we've been baking with it and drooling over it too! If you need an excuse to celebrate, don't forget our I Heart Candy challenge. All you have to do is write a blog post about candy (and let us know about it)! In your post you can talk about your favorite candy, come up with a recipe using your fave candy, make a drink that tastes like candy, whatever strikes your fancy! We've received some great submissions, but if you haven't turned yours in yet, there's still time! Be sure to check out all the submission details and come back this Friday, June 22, for a full candy roundup!

I Heart Candy Submissions Due Next Week!

YumSugar — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 07:01:18 -0700

I hope you've been celebrating National Candy Month as much as we have - we've been eating our candy, baking with it and more! If you're looking for another way to celebrate, don't forget our I Heart Candy challenge. All you have to do is write a blog post about candy. In your blog you can talk about your favorite candy, come up with a recipe using your fave candy, make a drink that tastes like candy, whatever strikes your fancy! Here's an example of candy purses made by TeamSugar member crispet1. Isn't it delectably adorable? If you've got a great candy idea up your sleeve then join us. I'll post the rest during the roundup on June 22. To participate, check out all the submission details. Can't wait to see what you guys come up with!

Do You Purchase Seasonal Kitchen Linens?

partysugar — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 09:00:15 -0700

Not only am I a sucker for seasonal candy, but I also can't say no to holiday kitchen linens. From heart-printed dish towels to Halloween aprons to Christmas tablecloths, I love seasonal kitchen linens. How about you?

New Study Finds Chocolate Could Save Your Life

YumSugar — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:00:12 -0700

Chocolate has certainly been known to save the day. But did you know that eating chocolate might just save your life? A study to be published in the September issue of the Journal of Internal Medicine suggests that eating chocolate can prevent death in heart attack survivors.

Scientists found that those who ate chocolate two or more times a week were three times less likely to die from heart disease than those who never ate chocolate. The results are likely due to cocoa's antioxidant levels, according to study coauthor Dr. Kenneth Mukamal. In other chocolate news, Swiss candy maker Barry Callebaut, the world's largest chocolate manufacturer, has announced it is developing a chocolate that withstands temperatures up to 131°F before melting. While heat-resistant chocolate has long been a staple in both Swiss and American armies, this is the first time the variety will be available commercially.

"Volcano," as the candy will be called, melts on contact with saliva, has a crunchy texture, and, unlike the military version, will be made with cocoa butter. Not only will it be a boon to areas of the world prone to sweltering heat, but food scientists have discovered that the chocolate naturally contains fewer calories.

Alas, I find myself with yet another excuse to enjoy chocolate before bed. Since I'm always paranoid about melting chocolate, I can't wait to try the heat-resistant kind! What about you?

Guess the Chocolate's Filling!

YumSugar — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 05:30:17 -0800

I'm sure you've heard what they say about a box of chocolates: you never know what you're gonna get. But this month's Martha Stewart Living includes tips for identifying boxed chocolates, from peanut bumps to the jagged profile of chocolate-dipped coconut.

That's why I'm putting the saying to the test with a heart-shaped box of chocolates from one of my favorite confectioneries, See's Candies. Can you tell what's inside a chocolate by its bumps and squiggles? There's only one way to find out!

Question 1 of 5

The filling is:

Taste Test: Chuao Firecracker Chocolate Bar

YumSugar — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 11:15:52 -0700

Last year, I sung the praises of a small chocolatier, Chuao, for its unique and delicious flavor combinations, like strawberry balsamic and spicy Cabernet caramel. I had a chance to try their newest bar, the Firecracker, and it was no exception.The chocolate smelled typical enough - bittersweet and slightly smoky. But once I took a bite, my experience took a turn for the bizarre. First, I tasted creamy dark chocolate then gradually intensifying heat and a tingly, burning sensation in the back of my throat. And all of a sudden, out of nowhere, loud crackling and popping, at which point I realized there was not only an explosion of flavor, but also a physical explosion of some kind. To find out what the cracker of the Firecracker was, read more.

Turns out the appropriately-named chocolate bar is made of dark chocolate, enrobed in chipotle chiles, salt, and popping candy - the kind I loved in the third grade. I can only liken the bizarre, oddly addictive experience to going on a roller coaster for the first time and wanting to go again. For those of you who are game (it is not for the unadventurous eater or faint of heart), I encourage you to go for a ride. Does spicy chocolate with popping candy sound like something you'd want to try?

10 Weird Ways to Celebrate National Candy Month

YumSugar — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 03:00:10 -0700

It's hard to believe it's been a year since our I Heart Candy challenge, but it's true: National Candy Month is here again! Throughout the month of June, we'll be celebrating all that the candy world has to offer, so I thought I'd kick things off with 10 of the weirdest candy offerings I could find. Have you tried any of these? Start the slideshow and tell me what you think.

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