Monthly Archives: November 2010

Caramel

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Caramel, the word evokes a sense of creamy sweetness. The deep brown tones and soft yellows of caramel actually make you feel as if you are peacefully swirling along on a languid liquid journey. That may be the reason some of the most prestigious and elegant eating and drinking establishments in the world have adopted the creamy sweet word Caramel in its name.

The two ‘Caramel Bar and Lounge’ clubs are aptly located at the center of the world’s playgrounds in Las Vegas and Dubai respectively. The Caramel Bar and Lounge is a place to go to mingle with international affluence in an air of sophisticated sweetness. The Las Vegas Caramel Club is located off the Bellagio making for easy transition to and from the fun and games of the casino and theatre, and a relaxing break to meet and socialize. The Caramel in Dubai features caramel flavored mixed drinks for the ladies.

Besides being a great place to eat and drink caramel is a movie, a color and of course a sweet treat unto itself. The latter is the world’s favorite caramel so it seems apt to share how the sweet caramel we all love is created in a fudge recipe. There are many other ways to enjoy fudge, in a sauce or a brittle for example, but we only have so much room to write so for those who want to know how to make caramel fudge, this recipe is for you.

How to make caramel fudge:

Ingredients:

3½ cups sugar
½ cup milk
1/8 teaspoon salt

½ tin sweetened condensed milk
1 tablespoon golden syrup
125g butter

Directions:

Place the sugar and milk in saucepan and slowly bring it to a boil, then add the rest of ingredients. Gently boil the ingredients stirring regularly for around 30 minutes. Test to see if the fudge is ready by dripping a small drop into a glass of ice cold water. If the fudge forms a soft ball then it is ready for the next step. Beat the mixture with a wooden spoon until thick and then pour into a tin about an inch thick. Refrigerate for at least two hours or until set.

Great Jelly Bean Cookie Recipe

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Jelly Bean and Candy Babies

Use the base and frosting of this cookie recipe to create really delicious jelly bean cookies. Think about what you want the finished cookie to look like before you begin. Cut the cookies into shapes before baking to create the design you want and when the cookies are done and frosted, the jelly bean color and placement options are limited only by your imagination (although we do have a few suggestions:).

Cookie Ingredients:

½ cup golden syrup

1/3 cup brown sugar

60g butter

2 ¼ cups of plain flour

2 teaspoons of mixed spice

Icing as per the following recipe

Jelly beans

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 212 Fahrenheit and lightly grease an oven tray

Combine the golden syrup, brown sugar and the butter in a sauce pan and stir gently over a low heat until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.

Sift the dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Add the cooled syrup mix and stir together well to combine.

Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about a ¼ inch thickness and cut into chosen shapes.

Bake the cookies for 10 minutes until lightly browned and then cool on trays before transferring to a rack to cool

Frost the cooled biscuits and while the frosting is still moist, stick the jelly beans to the icing. Some pattern ideas might include red, white and blue jelly beans in the shape of a flag or red and white jelly beans in a heart shape. Go crazy with your ideas because baking should be fun!

Icing Recipe

125g softened butter

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

1 ½ cups of sifted icing sugar

2 tablespoons cream

Beat the butter until it is pale and creamy. Add the vanilla and half of the icing sugar and beat these ingredients together until they are well combined. Gradually add cream and the remaining sugar while beating, until the frosting is smooth.

The $10k Jelly Belly Challenge is On

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The Jelly Belly people have announced a fun and fantastic chance for candy lovers to make $10 000 in prize dollars – that is a lot of candy money! The prize is for the most creative jelly belly cupcake in the world.

Those who are keen to enter need only make, bake and photograph their best cupcake creation, topped with Jelly Belly’s of course. Actually, you don’t even have to bake the cupcake. This contest is about Jelly Belly’s so that’s what the judges and fans care are looking for; creativity with Jelly Beans. You can actually create on top of a ready made cupcake. The hard part of course will be having the most amazing idea in the entire world. Well, even if you don’t come up with the best cupcake in the whole world, the cupcake challenge is also offering over 2000 instant prizes so it’s worth a shot. Once you have created your cupcake, photograph it and then submit it to the contest through the JB contest website, and then all you have to do is wait.

The way the contest works is that the top five best cupcakes will square off in a final to be voted on by cupcake/Jelly Belly fans. Fan votes will be calculated to choose the grand prize winner. Besides 10 thousand dollars in cash the promoters are giving away some really neat instant prizes which include Jelly Belly tote bags, charm bracelets (made of sterling silver not jelly) and jelly beans of course.

Those who have the creative Jelly Belly talent and want to enter the contest fray can do so right up until July 31, 2011. That’s heaps of time to come up with the best cupcake on the planet.

Katy Perry and Snoop Dog do Candyland!

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Katy Perry and Snoop Dog (and some very sweet back up singer/dancers) do Candyland like it has never been done before! Throughout the recently released California Gurls video, a provocative Katy Perry travels through a Candyland of candy cane, ice cream and peppermint trees. She lounges naked in a cloud of pink cotton candy and plays amidst other tasty performers, all sporting candy colored hair and bikini costumes representing various candy creations, from cupcakes and doughnuts to ice cream scoops.

In the lighthearted spirit of the video Katy Perry also comes across a gang of rude gummy bears and takes part in eating a gingerbread man, who doesn’t seem at all happy at first but is content after the first few bites, and remains so until he is a pile of crumbs. Hmm, could that be a metaphor? Katy climbs candy cane snakes to clouds of candy floss and finishes on a sugar beach littered with gummy bears.

At the end of the video Katy Perry guns down Snoop Dog with canisters of whipped cream shot from interesting point blank range. In Katy’s own words, “After jumping on marshmallows, eating gingerbread men, going through candy forests, climbing a peppermint stick, popping a girl out of a bubble, unwrapping some caramel (also a girl), making a girl come out of jello and hanging out with Snoop Dog, it’s a wrap!”

The video is undoubtedly based upon the traditional American Candy Land game in which kids move around a Candy Land board. In fact the opening scene shows an opening board game (called “Candyfornia”) just as the song begins and Snoop Dog puts a Katy Perry play piece on the board. Katy Perry then moves along gingerbread paths, crosses twizzle bridge and the dice are repeatedly rolled.

This fun and frivolous video through Candyland is a sweet treat and a welcome respite from artists without a sense of showmanship, who often take themselves way too seriously.

Translation: Candy – Candy in Different Laguages

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The English word candy is derived from the Persian word for sugar cube and has come to be associated with any sugar or chocolate confection. But would candy by any other name taste as sweet? The French word for candy is bonbon. That definitely still sounds sweet and tempting but so does practically every French word. How about the word for German candy? Süßigkeiten initially looks a bit tricky and harsh but broken down this word for candy becomes more manageable, pronounced something like sooobzig keiyten it is perhaps the German word equivalent of a gobstopper! Caramelle, the Italian word for candy is of course more familiar and thus a bit easier to swallow. Italian candy would definitely still taste as sweet.

Moving continents the Arabic word for candy is halwa which is of course the word from which halva, sweet confections from across the Asian continent, is derived. That makes it pretty sweet. The Spanish have two common words for candy and they are dulce and caramello. With the word caramello of course the Latin language influence is as apparent as with the Italian word for candy. Dulce is a bit different but if pronounced properly and with flourish exudes a very nice flavor indeed. The Hebrew sucariah is an obvious root word for the English sugar which is of course the best vital ingredient in all candy so candy in Hebrew definitely ranks as candy that would taste as sweet.

The most beautiful thing about candy on an international scale is that every single country has, regardless of what it is or how it sounds, a word for candy. On a parting note here are a few more for you to wrap your lips around and sink your teeth into! In the Philippines candy is minatamis or kendi, in China it’s tang, in Dutch snoep and in Hindi, chahiye. Wherever you are in the world and however you say it, we hope your candy is as sweet as ours is!

Candy Bling by Mariah Carey

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Mariah Carey is surely the queen of candy. Not only has she created her lollipop bling perfume line with a definite candy theme, check out her song lyrics for her song called, Candy Bling:

“And way back then it was the simple things
Anklets, nameplates that you gave to me
Sweet Tarts, Ring Pops, got that candy bling
And you were my world

My sweet baby, my sweet thing
Like candy
Felt like real love not just play play
Missing you my sweet baby”

She sure does love candy and all that lovin seems to have set off a chain reaction; the song prompted a wedding proposal from her boyfriend using a Ring Pop candy wrapped diamond for the engagement ring which then gave Mariah the idea for the candy bling perfume line. Talk about one good thing begetting another good thing.  That candy ring wrapper proposal was two years ago and to celebrate the anniversary Nick stuck to theme with a Ring Pop ring anniversary gift. This time it was a custom made treat hand crafted at Jason of Beverly Hills. This Ring Pop was made of white gold encrusted with diamonds and pink sapphires. The latest rumors are that the couple may be expecting a child which will of course sweeten things even more, and give the couple an ongoing excuse to keep the candy themed cute ideas coming.

Candy Bling is not to be confused with Hard Candy Bling Bling: Shimmer/Glitter which is make-up, or with Bling Candy (as opposed to candy bling) which is an online fashion experience that has nothing to do with Mariah Carey, but is also very cool and hip.

Jelly Bean Art

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This is extraordinary. The art forms conceptualized using jelly beans as the medium is phenomenal and it’s all available for view in the Jelly Belly Bean Art Gallery. The gallery boasts three main rooms comprising Famous People, American History & Political Figures and Icons & Other Cool Stuff. A tour through the jelly bean gallery leaves one speechless.

The Famous People jelly bean art room boasts uncannily real images of classic and contemporary famous people including jelly bean pioneers, innovators, royalty and celebrities. Some of the familiar faces in the room include Marilyn Munroe, George Clooney, Amelia Earnhardt, Chief Rainbow Tree, Diana; Princess of Wales, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Margaret Thatcher, Elvis Presley, James Dean, Larry King and Laurel & Hardy amongst the many illustrious names of fame. Images in this jelly bean gallery are all approximately four feet by four feet and one can only imagine how many jelly beans per image.

The American History and Political Figures gallery has an amazing George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Ronald Reagan and other American presidents posing in front of the American flag (jelly bean of course). As well, this gallery has brilliant jelly bean images of Martin Luther King Jr, Benjamin Franklin, General Doolittle and other extraordinary images of great Americans.

The final jelly bean room is the Icon & Other Cool stuff gallery which is an understatement of what there is to see; Minnie Mouse, American Gothic, the Statue of Liberty and the American Bald Eagle are all recreated in jelly beans for the amazement and delight of visitors. The gallery can be browsed by visitors online or in person in Fairfield, California, or down Jelly Belly Lane in Wisconsin. Both galleries offer more jelly bean art than is available in the online galleries.

Fundraising Candy

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Every year millions of children around the world set out in their neighborhoods to raise funds for charity. Worthy organizations or local sporting or cultural clubs are usually the beneficiaries of this unbridled and genuine altruism.

Many candy wholesalers will negotiate even better than wholesale prices for bulk candy if the reason for sale is a good cause, so it is worth letting the candy sales rep know this right from the start. Good wholesale candy company representatives will also offer a wealth of information in terms of successful products, popular items and numbers to order.

Packaged chocolate bars are by far the most popular fundraising candy both in terms of popularity with customers and also bulk buy bargaining. Nonetheless other packaged candy is available for those who want to offer their customers something a little bit different like packets of Sour Mini Gummi Burgers or Mike and Ike Minis or even Mini York Peppermint Patties. Some of the most popular chocolate choices available are Skittles, Toblerone Mini Chocolate bars and Hershey’s Assorted Miniature Chocolate bars.

Fundraising committees will gain better profits if they put a little research into their best fundraising candy sale options. For example, a review of previous fundraising statistics to determine what the best sellers were in years’ past. That way the sale offerings are sure to be popular choices. Also, ask the candy wholesaler to provide the bulk candy in counter sale boxes. That way families with businesses can display the fundraising candy in their reception areas or on store counters. This is also helpful if you have volunteers willing to set up a table outside of grocery or department stores.

Recent statistics show that fundraising is as important as it’s ever been. Statistics show the very large sums of money that exchange hands in donations, just look at these figures from the National Centre for Charitable Statistics (NCSS) online:

  • The number of non-profit organizations in 2009 was 1,569,572 and of these nearly a million were public charities.
  • Non-profits account for nearly 9% of wages and salaries paid in the U.S.
  • In 2007, public charities reported over $1.4 trillion in total revenues and nearly $1.3 trillion in total expenses.
  • 11% of those 1.4 trillion dollars came from “other” sources including dues, rental income, special event income, and gains or losses from goods sold.
  • Approximately 26.4% of Americans over the age of 16 volunteered through or for an organization between September 2007 and September 2008.
  • Educational institutions received the second largest percentage, with 13.3% of total estimated contributions.
  • Human service organizations accounted for 8.4% of total estimated contributions in 2008, the fourth largest share.
  • Individuals gave $229.28 billion in 2008.

Fundraising dollars, when added up, equal very big money, with a large proportion provided by individual donors to education or other non-profit enterprises. There is a reason that 80% of fundraising organizations use fundraising candy. Fundraising candy offers the best to everyone, a treat that buyers WANT to purchase, a product that is fun and easy to sell and revenue for worthy schools or causes – now that’s sweet.

Chocolate Candy Used to Teach in Schools

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In an effort to creatively find new ways to help kids learn, a few innovative teachers have come up with the idea of using chocolate and candy to teach. Some call it mouth watering math and others simply use candy in the way they would traditionally use other tools. Candy math can be used to teach fractions and percentages – using candy to pose and solve questions. Using multi-colored candy teachers are able to show kids percentages and fractions much in the same way kids past would have learned with the beads on an abacus. Obviously applications for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division also apply.

Chocolate and candy also have other academic applications outside of science and apart from those obvious subjects like marketing and taste testing. Making rock candy is a fairly simple task and can be a really cool science experiment for kids. Being able to eat the finished product will provide even more motivation to do a good job. Kids dissolve sugar in water and bring it to boil. Once slightly cooled they pour the liquid into a jar with a string or stick placed in the centre and sticking out of the liquid. After about a week each kid will have a rock candy sample of his or her own. Teach them the processes that occurred and there you have it – a great science candy lesson.

Of course chocolate and candy can still be used to motivate in the way it always has been, that is to say as a bribe for children who behave or get the right answers!

The History and Tradition of Advent Calendars

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A tradition born in Germany, the Advent calendar has naturally become a favorite amongst children around the world. Not only do kids savor their tiny daily treat but the anticipation and suspense they experience as Christmas Day gets closer is palpable. This is in line with the whole experience of Advent which represents hope and anticipation. For the uninitiated Advent calendars are beautiful calendars with a Christmas picture behind every door, counting from the first door which is opened on December 1 to the last door opened on December 24 or 25th. Each day the child (or parent!) opens a new door until they reach Christmas, then there is often a set of double doors which traditionally have an image of baby Jesus laying in a manger. These days there is usually a chocolate behind every door with an extra big one for Christmas day. But in the past it was just pictures.

The word Advent is derived from the Latin word for ‘coming ‘or ‘arrival’ and all Advent celebrations are in joyful anticipation of the coming of the light, or Jesus or nowadays, Santa Claus. In the past Advent was also the beginning of the Christian church year. The traditional color of Advent is purple symbolizing the penitent spirit of Advent. Red and green are more secular colors of Christmas derived from older European practices of using evergreens and holly to symbolize ongoing life and the hope that Christ’s birth brings into the world. The first calendar is commonly believed to have been created in 1851.

In German tradition the Advent calendar is part of the whole Advent celebration which runs throughout the month of December. An Advent wreath with four candles is lit on each of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas symbolizing enlightenment or the coming of the light with the birth of Jesus. Traditionally the candles are purple. The shift from the purple of the Season to pink or rose for the third Sunday Advent candles reflect a lessening emphasis on penitence in favor of the celebration of the season. The center candle in the wreath is white and is called the Christ Candle. It is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. The Sundays of Advent are family times regardless of faith or religion. Advent has become symbolic of the values we share within our families and it is a wonderful lead up to Christmas.

Traditions can be created in homes around Christmas and Advent which may include putting up the Christmas tree on the first Advent, Christmas shopping on the second Advent; remaining decorations, baking and presents under the tree on the third and then of course, it’s Christmas. The Advent calendar and wreath serve as countdowns to Christmas Day and are an excellent and happy reminder of needed Christmas preparations with the added incentive of Christmas Candy. Advent is marked by a spirit of expectation, of anticipation, of preparation and of longing and for kids there is no better way to mark this time than with an advent calendar.