Chocolate Recipe Gifts to Make

By Terri Rohrer

Have you been trying to find just the right gift to give to a family member or friend, but just have not been able to find one that suits both your wallet and the sentiment that you want to depict. I have always loved giving away presents that are straight from the heart. The person who is given these gifts always pleased by the fact that so much consideration has gone into it. Not only that, but in today's financially difficult times we can all benefit from finding more economical ways of gift giving.

I was recently struggling to come up with just the right gift for a good friend. Everything that I could afford just did not seem like it portrayed the sentiment that I had wanted to put across. That is when I came up with the idea of making her a chocolate recipe box.

As a chef hobbyist recipes have constantly captivated me. Each and every one of them had a beginning. They were dreamt up by somebody. Was it a World War II war bride developing a special dessert to commemorate the return of her husband from the war? Or was it a recipe concocted by a busy mom trying to get her family fed a healthy meal? Think about your most liked recipe. Where did it come from?

One of the most common threads weaved through my family is the chocolate recipe. As I was looking for something marvelous to give my friend as a gift the idea of a chocolate recipe scrapbook box came to mind. I later found out that this was one of my friends favorite gifts that had been to her because of its creativeness and the sentiment of being given a gift that was made from the heart.

In the [boxcontainer I included several of my favorite recipes, pictures of my friend and me at a barista sipping hot cocoa, a few mason jars filled with the ingredients to some of the recipes that I had included. I decorated the exterior of the box with a few of my chocolate recipe favorites, then filled in the rest of the space with several pictures of decadent chocolate delicacies and covered it with decoupage. After getting such an passionate response from my friend I came up with several more ideas of gifts that I could make using my best recipes. Recipe books can be put together using your favorite word processor then printed and spiral bound. Or, instead of a cookbook make a memory book, or a scrapbook.

Time and again families have recipes that have become an integral part of their family history, passing along recipes and the stories revolving around them for scores of years. Others are now just beginning to develop family traditions.

Whichever way, getting a gift specially made by you, with all of the thought and love that you put into it will unquestionably be a huge hit. I like making boxes using my favorite chocolate recipe collections, however for those of you that are not as enthralled with chocolate as my family is you will get wonderful results using any of your favorite recipe collection.

No matter who you are thinking of creating one of these gifts for, they will be very excited to receive it.

About the Author:

Do you often dream at night of the most perfect chocolate recipe? Then you may be a chocoholic like me! I spent years writing down the best of the best recipes from my own personal collections, family, and friends. Visit my blog for mouth-watering chocolate cookie, cake, and drink recipes, and more, all for free!

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Making Cream-filled Chocolate Easter Eggs at Home

By ALISON LADMAN
For The Associated Press

There's no need to wonder whether the Easter Bunny will leave you cream-filled chocolate eggs this year. With a recipe like this one, it's easy - if calorically costly - to make your own.
The sugary, creamy filling in these chocolate eggs isn't as soupy as commercial versions, making it easy to handle and shape. It's also what allows you to form the yellow "yolk" at the center. For efficiency, that step could be skipped in favor of all-white egg fillings.
For the chocolate coating, be sure to use chocolate melts, a candy product intended for making filled chocolates and other treats. These melt easily, coat well and are inexpensive.
Regular chocolate must go through a process known as tempering before it can be used in a recipe such as this (it's not something most people will want to try at home). Melts are available at craft and baking shops, as well as in the baking aisle of many grocers.
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CREAM-FILLED CHOCOLATE EASTER EGGS
Start to finish: 1 1/2 hours
Makes about 20
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
3 pounds powdered sugar, plus extra for dusting
Yellow gel food coloring
2 pounds chocolate melts
In a large bowl, combine the butter, salt and vanilla. Use an electric mixer on medium to beat until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the condensed milk and beat, scraping the bowl as needed, until thoroughly mixed.
Reduce the mixer to low, then add the powdered sugar 1 cup at a time. Continue mixing until it forms a stiff dough. Transfer the mixture to a counter dusted with powdered sugar. Knead until smooth, about 2 to 4 minutes.
Cut away a quarter of the mixture, then add a few drops of yellow gel food coloring to it and knead it in. Use a teaspoon to divide the mixture into about 20 small balls, rolling them between your hands until smooth. Set the balls on a cookie sheet and chill until firm.
Divide the white dough into about 20 larger pieces (you will need an equal number of white and yellow pieces), rolling each into roughly an egg shape. Press a thumb into the center of each and place one of the yellow balls into it.
Gently work the white filling around the yellow ball, covering it completely. Gently shape each piece into an oval. Set aside on a cookie sheet and chill again.
Place the chocolate melts in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high in 20-second bursts, stirring between each, until melted and smooth. One at a time, use a fork to dunk each egg into the chocolate to coat it completely, the set on parchment or waxed paper to set.
Eggs should be stored in the refrigerator until served.

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Having A happy easter day 2009

By Rachel Samson

There is no doubt about it; the holidays can be a stressful time in the lives of many people. The thing is though; they really do not have to be if enough planning and forethought are done.

The key to a successful Easter this year is to not over think the things that you have to do and plan.

Whether it is trying to get the perfect happy easter photo to send in all of your cards or trying to put together the perfect dinner, it is always best to inhale deep and think about your goal.

You must realize immediately that the whole Easter period will never be a 100% success, so you must just concentrate on making easter day 200 as happy as possible.

Let's face it, more times then not there is going to be something that is forgotten or that goes wrong on a holiday so there really is no need to get all worked up about any of it.

You can achieve a happy easter day 2009 by facing up to the reality that it wont be perfect. But it doesn't have to be in order for it to be a success

The only thing that is guaranteed to ruin your easter this year is if you let your stress levels get the better of you. You can spot the early signs if you notice that you start to get short tempered with those closes to you.

Steps You Can Take

When it comes to wanting to plan out the perfect happy easter day 2009, the best thing you can do is to start planning in advance.

If the easter stress starts to get to you it will be because you haven't listed all your to do items down on paper. Even the obvious stuff like bread and milk must be included on your list in order to create a happy easter day 2009 for your family this year.

Involve friends and family that want to help you prepare or get things ready instead of insisting that you have it all under control.

There is nothing wrong with allowing a few people to help out because the more people that are involved with the planning the better it will be.

By having various degrees of input from other family and friends will create a happy easter day 2009 that is varied and has lots of different items on the menu.

About the Author:

Understanding all there is to know about easter 2009 is not always easy. Luckily you can get everything you need right here at Easter ideas 2009

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Personalized Easter Baskets Rate Big With Everyone

By Art Barron

As the Lenten season begins, people also start to think about things to sacrifice. After all, Lent is about penance and prayer. The bright side of this, however, is that you can look forward to the culmination of the Lenten season - Easter Sunday!

Easter is all about the colorful eggs, little bunnies, and, of course, personalized Easter baskets. Most people think that it's too early to go Easter shopping, but really, it's not. How can you get the cream of the crop when you wait for the last minute to go Easter shopping? Thinking this early about personalized Easter baskets will definitely save you a lot of time, and you can get the best of the goods.

Little kids like your children, nieces, and nephews will surely have a big smile on their faces when they see their personalized Easter baskets filled with gourmet chocolate presents and other goodies.

Investing your own time and effort into these personalized Easter baskets brings out the best in you. It would also make your recipients think that you truly do care for them since you did everything on your own. Making these personalized Easter baskets really personalized by including the recipient's most adored cartoon character or anything that they fancy would make these packages definitely worth keeping.

Now, where can you find providers of these personalized Easter baskets? Easy. The Internet will help you with this quest, as with anything else. Online stores that cater to personalized gifts are numerous.

Now, if you're not that creative. You can ask for help from your supplier with the design. It is a must that you pick the suppliers who have had ample experience in the field. You can then rest assured that you will get the very best of your Easter presents and also your money.

Plus, if you shop for materials early, there's a possibility that the prices would be a lot cheaper. This means that you can definitely go all out in making you personalized Easter baskets!

Easter is all about sharing and merriment. What a wonderful way to show this through personalized Easter baskets!

About the Author:

Everything they never told you about customized chocolate gifts revealed! For more insider tips and information be sure and check out Personalized Easter Baskets

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Sweet Valentines Presents

By charlie reese

Valentine's Day is the one day of the year set aside to officially express our love. Men seem to enjoy the opportunity to be his woman's knight in shining armor and women love being treated to this gallant and romantic demonstration of love.

It's the day Cupid comes, with his quiver of arrows, to set your beloved's heart afire. The traditional gifts are, of course, chocolate and roses. While these are always welcome gifts, oozing romance, don't you sometimes want to give your love a more personalized Valentine's gift? Here are a few ideas for a small Valentine's gift basket that packs a punch, emptying Cupid's quiver in a hurry. Nice things do come in small packages.

A love poem is perhaps the scariest Valentine's gift to some men. You may be afraid that putting your true thoughts to paper may prove to be too revealing. Don't hesitate to let your true love know just how you feel! You may be surprised to find that what you supposed to be an awkward expression of your love, melts the heart of your beloved. If you just can't bring yourself to write a love sonnet, go ahead and borrow! Shakespeare and Yeats have probably written a perfect love poem to give. For this Valentine's Day gift, all you need is a tiny, lidded Valentine's gift basket within which to insert a folded paper which contains your poem. Try calligraphy. This adds romance in a big way.

On a more practical note, you can use the same small, lidded Valentine's gift basket to present a gift certificate to your woman's favorite store " Victoria's Secret? You'll be as delighted as she is with her purchase!

Jewelry is another traditional Valentine's gift, so don't overlook this possibility if you can afford it. This one makes women swoon big time. A necklace, pendant, earrings, watch or bracelet is a memorable Valentine's day gift for any woman. This gift comes across best in semi-precious or precious stones, but it needn't be so expensive " there's just something about jewels and sparkle. Know that she'll remember this forever.

Another terrific Valentine's gift basket might contain tickets for two to the ballet, symphony, opera or a concert that you know your true love will enjoy. Even if you don't particularly enjoy such events yourself, this gift will endear you to your woman, because she'll know you're doing it to please her!

When we speak of this Valentine's gift basket, you don't necessarily need to use a wicker basket as your container. You might use a small pewter or silver box, such as a jewelry box. You could also make your basket of a fancy, Valentine themed coffee mug. This 'thinking outside the basket' can greatly enhance the duration of your romantic sentiments. She'll see the jewelry box every day and relive the romance each time she uses her mug.

About the Author:

Charlie Reese likes giving valentines and astrology advice on his horoscope website daily.

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Chocolate Fondue Fountains

By Richard Tripper

If you're looking to have a great party that people talk about for weeks, then I've got one word for you, chocolate. People of all shapes and sizes love chocolate. And the best way to serve chocolate at a party is a chocolate fondue fountain.

Chocolate fondue is a great dessert to serve at small gathering but quite difficult to serve at larger parties. Now with chocolate fondue fountains, your guests can still experience the taste of chocolate covered strawberries, bananas, pineapple, pound cake or anything else they want to dunk into the delightful chocolate waterfall that flows out of the fountain. You may have enjoyed a chocolate fountain at the last wedding or graduation party that you've attended.

And now chocolate fountains are becoming popular home appliances. Several companies make home versions and although the quality of these machines varies greatly, chocolate fondue fountains can now be enjoyed at your backyard gatherings or anytime you like.

Most of these chocolate fondue fountains work the same way. First you melt chocolate in a double boiler or in the microwave. Then you add vegetable oil to the chocolate so that it is fluid enough to be pumped through the fountain. The home appliance have small heating units that will keep melted chocolate flowing, but they aren't hot enough for the initial melting of the chocolate.

The best chocolate for a fountain has a higher percentage of cocoa butter so that it's more liquidy when it melts. You can find it at gourmet shops or places where they sell expensive chocolate. But don't worry, you can also just use regular old chocolate chips. Just remember to add the vegetable oil or else your fountain will get jammed.

If you don't have a lot of time before your party to cut up fruits and cakes for dunking, why not buy a fruit platter. Salty foods will also be a hit in the chocolate fountain. Be sure to put out pretzels and potato chips. People may be hesitant to try them at first but once they do, they'll be hooked. Marshmallows and angel food cake are also popular. You really have a lot of options when it comes to foods to dunk in your chocolate fondue fountain. Just about anything tastes great when dunked in chocolate.

Cleaning up after the party will be a nightmare if you turn off the chocolate fountain early. Leave it running with the heating element on so that the chocolate doesn't get hard. Trying to get cold, hard chocolate out of the fountain pump is no way to spend your late night.

Adding a chocolate fountain to any catered event has always been a great way make your chocolate loving guests happy. Now with the home versions, you won't need a caterer anymore. Why not add a chocolate fondue fountain to your next party?

About the Author:

Are you looking to buy a Chocolate Fountain, then be sure to check out, GoFondue.com.

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Chocolate Decadence Completes Romance for Valentines Day

By Art Barron

Everyone has a sweet tooth, and one thing that can satisfy that sweet tooth is chocolate. From the young to the old, couples, singles, family, friends - everyone loves chocolates! It has the power to transform whole villages, like the movie Chocolat. It can rekindle passion, start a new relationship, and even cheer somebody up.

Armed with chocolate, you can literally make your partner melt in your arms, if you know what you're doing. That's why chocolate is the perfect Valentine's Day gift.

So why choose chocolates? Here's what we think.

It symbolizes romance. Chocolates have forever been present in courting rituals, from the time of the Aztecs to the present. It symbolizes affection and shows attraction. In ancient times, it was even perceived as a love potion. That's why, up to this day, chocolates remain in any ritual of love.

Traditionally, chocolate represents the effort of a suitor to distill something worthy of the gods from a humble cacao seed. To give your partner chocolate, therefore, speaks of the lengths you are willing to go to gain a person's favor and how highly you think of him or her. And while we get ours now conveniently from the store, the chivalrous thought and valuing remains the same.

Chocolate is sensual. But who says it's just about romance? Valentines is the time to get down and dirty and no better aphrodisiac exists than chocolate.

Chocolates are rich, silky, and smooth in the mouth. Every bite invokes sensuality and palatable satisfaction. Play with the richness of each bite and indulge yourselves, as well as your fantasies. Chocolate tempts and seduces like no other.

Like the theory about sex and chocolates, the latter also produces the same "feel good" chemical that is present during sex. If you're going to enjoy one, might as well enjoy the other. Chocolate can definitely put you in the mood.

Chocolate is meant to be shared by lovers. Valentines Day is also about making an emotional connection; it would be a shame if you don't take advantage of the opportunities chocolate provides to bond with your partner.

How about visiting a specialty shop and using their selection to get to know your partner better? Certain personality types go with specific preferences, and it would be fun to guess what it means for our partner to want his/ hers dark with mint.

You can also order bite-sized dessert pieces and feed each other? Maybe follow a chocolate recipe together. The options are limitless. After all, chocolate can be sticky, messy and gooey - just asking to be played with!

The health benefits of chocolate. For the health conscious, chocolate is right for you. Surprisingly, chocolate is perfect for your heart. If you put health as a consideration for purchasing a Valentine's Day gift, chocolates would fit the bill.

Don't think that chocolates are just sugar and empty calories. Cocoa, the main component of chocolates, is rich in antioxidants. Research shows that antioxidants aids in preventing heart diseases and surprisingly helps in managing blood pressure. Here's a tip: go for dark chocolates. The darker the chocolate, the higher the antioxidant content to lessen bad cholesterol. If you're going to have a healthy relationship, why not have a healthy heart while you're at it?

About the Author:

Understanding all there is to know about fine chocolate is not always easy. Luckily you can get everything you need right here at Lindt dark chocolate lindor truffles

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Crossroads Bar - simply chocolate

Chocolate lovers now have something more to cheer about. Crossroads Bar, located in the lobby of Swissotel Merchant Court , presents to chocolate addicts their decadent double chocolate buffet. Available on Fridays and Saturdays from 7pm to 10pm, many chocolate connoisseurs have made their way down to Crossroads Bar to satisfy their craving for a blissful chocolate treat. To round off this sweet deal, one can now indulge in the sinful affair for only S$18 per person or S$32 per couple!
The Vibe Crossroads Bar is a cozy lounge where one can relax and unwind over a selection of fine teas, coffees as well as wines, cocktails and alcoholic beverages. At Crossroads bar, Balinese style décor is adopted to emanate a relaxed and laid-back feel. The comfy rattan chairs and crafted Indonesian displays enhance the rustic appeal. Let down your hair as you relax to a selection of melodious piano pieces and enjoy a mouth-watering array of chocolate treats.
The Food At Crossroads, the wine bar takes the centerstage while the chocolate buffet is next to the bar. With the selection of chocolate treats cluttered in a small area, one might not know where to begin. A suggestion is to first start with the hot chocolate drink station. A service staff will assist you in whipping up a piping hot cup of hot chocolate. You may choose between dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate or even a mix of different chocolates. A must-try is the white chocolate hot drink as you may not find this at most other chocolate buffets. Luxurious and creamy, it is a decadent indulgence indeed. Sip it while it is warm, or you will find that the drink will coalesce and form a white thin layer at the top.
Next, pick up some delicate chocolate creations such as Tiramisu in Coffee Chocolate Cups, Chocolate Chantilly in White Chocolate Cups, Noire & Ivory Mousse and Marble Chocolate Cheesecake. Adorably presented, these chocolate creations are bound to make you swoon in ecstasy.
Of course, a chocolate buffet will definitely include the chocolate fondue. You may fill your skewers with an array of seasonal fruits such as strawberries, honey dew and rose apples or some chewy marshmallows. The fondue could seem more inviting if the fruits are displayed in a larger tray with more pieces of cut fruits. It is also a pity that the strawberries served are not of the big and juicy variety.
The Service The service staff is professional in serving its guests. However, only some of the chocolate treats are labeled. It would be more helpful if all chocolate pieces are tagged dutifully to give diners an idea of what they are tasting .
The SD Food Advisor's take on Crossroads Bar Perhaps the most value-for-money chocolate Buffet in town, chocolate lovers can now sink their teeth into a luscious array of chocolates without having to empty their pockets. Besides, when it comes to chocolate, it is the quality that matters. Hence, there is no need to pay a premium price for quantity when Crossroads Bar fulfills your needs at a lower price.

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Guys, Clueless About Valentines Day Jewelry Shopping?

By Art Barron

For a lot of guys, jewelry shopping ranks a bit lower on the torture scale than, say, the medieval rack. Questions concerning preference, quality and quantity are but some of the mind-busters that plague the minds of guys during these times. And no matter whom you ask, there seems to be no straight answer!

Don't worry. There's no shame in getting a bit confused. In fact, majority of men find jewelry shopping a bit of a challenge.

Shopping for jewelry need not be a Titanic in your life. Here are some things to consider to help you along:

First things first, do a recon and find out what she likes.

Expensive and trendy doesn't always equal a bull's eye. Depending on the woman, there are some who like it small and discrete, and some who want it loud and fabulous. There are also those who like it formal and classy, and those who like it playful and experimental. Even the material can be preferred, such as gold, silver, copper, bronze, and pewter. And, oops, the stones! Don't forget the precious stones.

There are so many ways to find out what she likes. Don't call it snooping, call it investigative searching. Look through her jewelry box, drop a few hints, or if you're really desperate, call up her friends. Maybe you can take her "window-shopping" for jewelry and see which ones bring a similar shine to her eyes.

Selecting a design. With hearts or not?

Hearts can be commonly found on Valentines Day and it is a surefire choice. It perfectly conforms to the occasion, plus it can be worn all-year round. The heart also signifies the emotion being felt along with the gift. By picking out a heart-shaped jewel, you are clearly sending out your message of love.

However, you are not obliged to choose it as a design. All the more if your girl is the one who actually doesn't like, or worse, sneers at the idea of something so "clich and cheesy." You can entertain the idea, but don't limit yourself to it.

You can pick something that is practical, one she can wear regularly to work like a reliable pair of silver earrings. You can go for something that symbolizes her personality like a violin pendant if she plays the instrument. You can choose a design that tells a story about the relationship you two have, like journey pendants with engraved initials. There are many possible options available.

Research.

A common mistake for many guys is to pop into the nearest store and grab the nearest item at hand. DON'T DO THIS. The more stores you visit, the better chance you'll have at finding and picking the best gift there is out there. Always do it ahead of time, at least you'll have both options and schedule on your side.

Be limitless and don't just settle for shops in the malls. Go and search for antique shops, shop online, or look for family-owned establishments that create custom-made jewelry settings and art forms. While being on a budget, you can easily check out pawnshops as well. Try checking for family heirlooms to be resized or remodeled, as well.

Wherever you buy, make sure that your jewelry has a certification of authenticity. This will help ensure that what you are spending your hard-earned cash on is the real deal.

Give her the choice.

If jewelry shopping has already left you perplexed, this one's for you: leave her to choose the jewelry she likes. Making her pick out what she likes is still as romantic.

If you're worried about revealing your budget, befriend the jewelry store owner beforehand. Give your range and have him prepare a selection for your girl that she can view in a private room. It's actually romantic for the two of you to choose together.

About the Author:

For the most up to date information about romantic valentines gifts, This is the only resource you will ever need Buy Engagement Rings

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Chocolate

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