Home About Writers Categories Recent Issues Subscribe Contact File Transfer





Lori Horton
Lori Horton is the owner of Celebrations by Lori in Pittsburg, Ks. With over 15 years experience in the bakery business, Lori opened Celebrations in 2000. She is always out front with the most unique ideas in cake and cookie decorating for all occasions. Celebrations is also on top of the industries' latest trends and products with the area's largest selection of baking and cake decorating supplies. Open Monday - Saturday, Celebrations can be reached at 620-231-5700 or at www.celebrationsbylori.com
Candy, Chocolate & Sweets
2011-09-29 15:07:51
Simple but delicious treats...part 1
Q: With the changing weather I am starting to feel the urge to get back in the kitchen. The holidays are not far away, do you have any suggestions for easy candies I can make for hostess/party gifts or that the kids can make too?
A: We’ve all had a great summer of pool parties and backyard barbecues, but the leaves are starting to turn and it’s time to start thinking about turning that oven back on and enjoying some treats from your kitchen. I think a nice combination of simple candies and some filled goodies are always a hit and you can’t fail by mixing them in with some of my favorite chocolate chip cookies. The most important part of making any type of dipped or molded candies is to use a very good quality chocolate that is made for dipping and molding. That means no almond bark and no chocolate chips. Both those are great for pretzels or cookies, but not for yummy candies that need to have a warm pure chocolate flavor. You can even use pure chocolate if you are comfortable cooking and tempering it, but if not, you can use confectionary coating which has already been cooked and is ready to melt and use. Enjoy the following recipe and don’t be afraid to change it up with your favorite ingredients! Simple Candy Clusters: • 1 lb. Milk, Dark or White chocolate • 2-3 cups of your choice of “crunch” (e.g. nuts, crispy cereal, peppermint crunch, crushed pretzels or whatever you love!) Melt the chocolate at a low temperature. Microwave is preferred by using 50% power for a minute at a time, stirred gently between. Add your “crunch” and fold in until all the “crunch” is lightly coated with chocolate. Depending on what you use, you may add more or less “crunch”. For a home-style look, simply place spoonfuls on waxed paper and let set up completely. For a more finished style, spoon into candy cups or mini cupcake papers. My favorite is a mixture of dark chocolate with chopped almonds and mini marshmallows for a rocky road type treat! Next month, I will share how to make some delicious homemade peanut butter cups and coconut bonbons.
 
The Q & A Times Journal accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs.Materials will not be returned unless accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Thank you.
 
Wildcard SSL Certificates