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Posted By RCI,
Wednesday, January 26, 2022
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43% of Americans will be adding themselves to their shopping list this holiday season.
According to the 2021 holiday shopping trend report by Sitecore, gift giving for the upcoming holiday season will experience a significant shift toward shoppers self-gifting as a form of therapy after another stress-filled pandemic year.
 Here's some ideas of gifts for customers to treat themselves (from left to right): Rheo Thompson Candies offers a collection of customers' favorite sweet and salty snacks; treat yourself to new holiday decor, filled to the brim with chocolates from Marie's Candies; the gift of solid chocolate ornaments from Enstrom Candies help customers count down the days to Christmas with a sweet and decadent treat each day.
When executing your marketing and merchandising plans this holiday, consider ways to appeal to consumers looking to treat themselves. Just as you might feature a thoughtful selection of “gifts for Dad,” curate a collection of customer favorites labeled as “gifts for me” or “treat yourself.” Include options ranging in prices for the cost conscious to those wanting to lavish themselves in luxury. Promote self-gifting ideas on social media, your website and with in-store signage.
Additionally, consider pampering your loyal customers, who may be thinking of everyone but themselves leading up to the holidays by hosting a “treat yourself” giveaway.
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Posted By RCI,
Tuesday, December 1, 2020
Updated: Thursday, January 21, 2021
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Known as a gift of courtship and love since the turn of the 20th century, this small, but mighty confection has become synonymous with the holidays. Regardless of one’s technique for making cordial cherries, a successful outcome requires a preserved cherry coated in warm fondant. After invertase is applied to the fondant coating, the cherry must be covered in chocolate immediately. Over time, the enzyme invertase causes the fondant to liquefy inside the solid chocolate shell. Keep reading as RCI member and board president, Barry Bomboy with Bomboy’s Home Made Candy shares two popular techniques for creating this seemingly mystical confection.  Photos of panned chocolate-covered cherries taken at Fascia's Chocolates
during RCI's 2019 Annual Convention. Panning This method requires a panning machine. Start by putting fondant sugar in the bowl, begin the spinning process and add drained cherries. Combine 20 ounces of water, 30 milliliters of invertase and 20 milliliters of flavor in a spray bottle. Spray mixture onto the cherries as they spin. The sugar will adhere to the wet cherries, so continue to spin cherries until you achieve the desired coating thickness. Now cover the cherries in chocolate. Double bottoming or coating the cherries twice with chocolate will prevent leaks. Let cherries set for four to five days before selling. This will make a juicy, flavorful cordial cherry. Note: Refrigerate spray bottle with remaining invertase mixture when not using. Dipping Mix water and fondant sugar (16 ounces of water to eight pounds of fondant sugar). Heat four pounds of the mixture in a double boiler. Be careful not to heat over 140˚F/60˚C. When fluid, add one teaspoon of invertase and 1/2-3/4 teaspoon of flavoring. Dip cherries in fondant, they will set quickly. Finally, coat the cherries with chocolate. As with the previous method, allow cherries to set for four to five days. Looking to take your cordial cherries to the next level this holiday? Keep reading below for festive decoration ideas.
Add Color
We’re loving the sophisticated look of red and black colored cocoa butter used for John & Kira’s chocolate cherries.
Add Sparkle
These long-stemmed cherries are dipped in colored sugar crystals for added sparkles, perfect for the holidays. Add White Chocolate
Consider dipping your cordial cherries in white chocolate for an unexpected look this holiday season. Photo credit: The Cordial Cherry Add Embellishment
This holly berry design sings holiday. Try the look for yourself with green-colored white chocolate leaves and red sugar pearls as the holly berries. Cordial cherries are a cherished holiday tradition for many families. We hope this member insight helps you create your best batches of cordial cherries this holiday season! Crave more? If you like what you read here, look for the "Subscribe now" box on the right to enter your email address and start receiving weekly tips, like this, delivered straight to your email inbox. RCI's Tip of the Week blog is just one of the many resources we offer to help candy makers refine their craft and build upon their business and marketing practices. Follow us on Facebook for even more sweet inspiration.
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Posted By RCI,
Tuesday, October 20, 2020
Updated: Thursday, January 21, 2021
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How Instagram-worthy are your holiday treats?
Sure, they taste delicious, but how would a potential new customer know if they’ve never tasted your confections? No surprise, social media, like Instagram and Facebook, can be an effective tool for reaching consumers, however if A.) you’re not sharing photos of your products on your social media sites daily or B.) they don’t stand out from other holiday gifts, you could be missing out on a massive opportunity to gain new customers this season.
A study by Forbes has shown that 78% of consumers’ purchases are impacted by companies’ social media posts. So, if you’re looking for a boost in sales, consider transforming these classic confectionery treats into holiday showstoppers to help your business standout this season.
Rice Cereal Treats
Cookie cutters aren't just for cookies. They also make a great tool for creating fun seasonal chocolate-covered rice cereal treats. Make the most out of your collection of cookie cutters, by repurposing common shapes to create new and unique designs. After realizing that their gingerbread man treats weren’t selling as well as other designs, Bomboy’s Home Made Candy gave the tired cookie cutter new life by turning it upside down and transforming it into Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. This little reindeer proved to be a hit!
Make fall and summer designs last into the holidays! If you have cookie cutters shaped like a ghost or even an ice cream cone, just flip them upside down to transform the shapes into cute elves. Did you know a pumpkin cookie cutter can be repurposed to make a jolly Mrs. Claus?
Caramel Apples
Traditionally a fall treat, a little creativity can help transform caramel apples into a festive holiday gift. For inspiration, mimic Santa’s jolly belly by adding his signature black belt and big gold buckle around a red caramel apple coated in red sprinkles or luster dust. Bring Frosty the Snowman to life by adding a jumbo marshmallow to the top of a caramel apple before dipping them both in white chocolate. A few chocolate chip “buttons" and a red licorice scarf will help tie it all together. Lastly, add candy eyes, a red nose and antlers, of course, to create everyone’s favorite reindeer out of a classic chocolate-covered caramel apple. There’s lots of ideas online for creating Rudolph’s antlers—from the easiest to the most realistic, you may want to try pipe cleaners, pretzel twists or sugar cookies for your antlers.
Need help perfecting your caramel apples? Check out these past blog posts for tips on making caramel stick to apples or learn why you should flip your caramel apples upside down.
Marshmallows
Jumbo marshmallows make a quick and easy canvas for creating holiday magic. Put three jumbo marshmallows on a stick, coat them in white chocolate and decorate to make marshmallow snowmen pops that are too sweet to pass up. Click here to watch a tutorial by Two Sisters Crafting. All you need to make adorable gingerbread marshmallow pops are, your choice of caramel-coated marshmallows or marshmallows covered in peanut butter confectioner’s coating, some piped white chocolate and tiny sugar decorations.
Sandwich Cookies
If you don’t think of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer when looking at your favorite sandwich cookies, changing your perspective may increase your holiday sales. When RCI member Vande Walle’s Candies coated Nutter Butter sandwich cookies in chocolate and embellished them with a pair of candy eyes, pretzel twist antlers and a bright red nose, these cute reindeer treats reportedly “flew out the door,” they were so popular with their customers! For another spin on this idea, try substituting the Nutter Butter cookies with Oreo cookies on a stick.
More than ever, consumers are looking to social media for unique and memorable gift ideas this holiday season. Posting photos of your festive holiday treats on social media regularly will help your company capture the attention of consumers while they’re making their shopping list this season.
Crave more? If you like what you read here, look for the "Subscribe now" box on the right to enter your email address and start receiving weekly tips, like this, delivered straight to your email inbox. RCI's Tip of the Week blog is just one of the many resources we offer to help candy makers refine their craft and build upon their business and marketing practices.
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Posted By RCI,
Tuesday, October 13, 2020
Updated: Thursday, January 21, 2021
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Although this is not a new concept, interest in "hot chocolate bombs" has skyrocketed since the beginning of October—in fact, it is now considered a breakout trend according to Google Trends. In case you’re wondering what this means, if Google Trends identifies a topic as “breakout” it means there has been a tremendous increase in searches using a specific topic or keyword.
Watch this viral social media video demonstrating a hot chocolate bomb from Wisconsin-based bakery, Sweets by Jen.
Elevate your hot chocolate experience with this season’s breakout trend, hot chocolate bombs. Essentially a chocolate sphere, when placed in a mug and drenched with warm milk, the hot chocolate bomb melts away to reveal hot cocoa mix and other sweet treats inside, like mini marshmallows.
Sweet Tip:
We believe the marshmallows are the key ingredient to create an almost magical effect. As the chocolate sphere melts and opens up, the marshmallows pop out and rise to the top of the hot chocolate.
How to Make Hot Chocolate Bombs
Take a sphere mould and make a hollow chocolate shell. Once the chocolate shell has set, it’s time to fill it. A popular option is to fill the shell mould with generous portions of hot cocoa mix and mini marshmallows. Other ideas may include crushed peppermints, chocolate chips, toffee bits, mint chocolate pieces or even holiday sprinkles. Seal the two pieces of the mould together and decorate with a drizzle of dark chocolate or white chocolate swirls, topped with more sprinkles, crushed peppermints or whatever your heart desires.
RCI member tip: Vande Walle’s Candies uses a golf ball mould and rolls the finished product in white chocolate.
Don’t Have A Sphere Chocolate Mould? Don't Sweat!
If you don’t have a sphere mould consider using a round truffle mould and filling it with hot chocolate mix and a mini marshmallow or two. Since they’re smaller than the typical hot chocolate bombs, package multiples together and instruct users to use two or three "truffles" to make one cup of hot chocolate. You may not get the same effect as the large spheres pop open, but you’ll have the benefit of being able to use your existing truffle packaging.
RCI member, Bruce’s Candy Kitchen put a witchy spin on this concept by dropping a mini marshmallow cluster into a mini muffin tin and topping it with Sixlets® candies and sprinkles to represent bubbling witch’s brew. After the mixture sets up, they insert the cluster into a plastic cauldron. These frighteningly cute cauldrons are sold as part of their Halloween Hot Chocolate Kits, complete with hot chocolate mix, extra sprinkles, candy corn and a chocolate-covered Oreo®.
RCI member, Nothing But Chocolate
fills a large hollow pumpkin mould with pumpkin spice hot chocolate mix for two or more servings. Consumers are directed to heat milk on the stovetop and drop the entire pumpkin into the simmering milk. For Christmas, Nothing But Chocolate
uses an ornament mould to replicate the concept.
How to Package Hot Chocolate Bombs
As with any confection, your packaging can really set the tone of the presentation. For shoppers who aren’t familiar with hot chocolate bombs (yet
), we recommend utilizing packaging that allows shoppers to see the product, as well as instructions on how to use it.
Cello Bag with Ribbon
A clear cello bag is a classic and simple packaging solution, tie it with a colorful ribbon and cute name tag with instructions to create a festive and eye-catching look.
Acetate Tube
This clear acetate tube creates a sleek and modern look that would fit nicely in a Christmas stocking. Packaged as a set of three, it allows you to upsell the product and offer a “variety pack” with three different flavors.
Acetate Cube
This chocolatier uses a clear acetate cube to package their hot chocolate bomb. A metallic gold sticker describes the product as “exploding with mini marshmallows and chocolate hearts.”
Colorful Foil
If you want to highlight a variety of flavors and fillings, consider wrapping your hot chocolate bombs in colorful foil. Not only does this make for a colorful and festive look, it is easy and encourages consumers to try different flavors.
Short on time or staff? Wholesale Hot Chocolate Bombs!
While we are loving this fun holiday trend, we understand that COVID-19 has presented many candy makers with restrictions that make it challenging to develop a trendy, new product for the busy holiday season.
If you love the idea of selling hot chocolate bombs, but you don’t love the idea of making them yourself, consider wholesaling “Hot Chocolate Balls” from RCI member ChocolatesU. More like a solid hot chocolate truffle, instead of a hollow chocolate shell, their Hot Chocolate Balls are made with "the best quality couverture chocolate, cocoa powder and honey," delivering a rich, more chocolatey cup of hot chocolate. Hot Chocolate Balls are available in six flavors, as well as several limited-edition flavors for the holiday season. Click here to learn more.
Cheers to hot chocolate season! We hope this has inspired you to create your own sweet version of hot chocolate bombs and meet the growing demand for this trendy product.
Crave more? If you like what you read here, look for the "Subscribe now" box on the right to enter your email address and start receiving weekly tips, like this, delivered straight to your email inbox. RCI's Tip of the Week blog is just one of the many resources we offer to help candy makers refine their craft and build upon their business and marketing practices.
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Posted By RCI,
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
Updated: Monday, April 27, 2020
|
How Instagram-worthy are your holiday treats?
Sure, they taste delicious, but how would a potential new customer know if they’ve never tasted your confections? No surprise, social media, like Instagram and Facebook, can be an effective tool for reaching consumers, however if A.) you’re not sharing photos of your products on your social media sites daily or B.) they don’t stand out from other holiday gifts, you could be missing out on a massive opportunity to gain new customers this season.
A study by Forbes has shown that 78% of consumers’ purchases are impacted by companies’ social media posts. So, if you’re looking for a boost in sales, consider transforming these classic confectionery treats into holiday showstoppers to help your business standout this season.
Rice Cereal Treats
Cookie cutters aren't just for cookies. They also make a great tool for creating fun seasonal chocolate-covered rice cereal treats. Make the most out of your collection of cookie cutters, by repurposing common shapes to create new and unique designs. After realizing that their gingerbread man treats weren’t selling as well as other designs, Bomboy’s Home Made Candy gave the tired cookie cutter new life by turning it upside down and transforming it into Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. This little reindeer proved to be a hit!
Make fall and summer designs last into the holidays! If you have cookie cutters shaped like a ghost or even an ice cream cone, just flip them upside down to transform the shapes into cute elves. Did you know a pumpkin cookie cutter can be repurposed to make a jolly Mrs. Claus?
Caramel Apples
Traditionally a fall treat, a little creativity can help transform caramel apples into a festive holiday gift. For inspiration, mimic Santa’s jolly belly by adding his signature black belt and big gold buckle around a red caramel apple coated in red sprinkles or luster dust. Bring Frosty the Snowman to life by adding a jumbo marshmallow to the top of a caramel apple before dipping them both in white chocolate. A few chocolate chip “buttons" and a red licorice scarf will help tie it all together. Lastly, add candy eyes, a red nose and antlers, of course, to create everyone’s favorite reindeer out of a classic chocolate-covered caramel apple. There’s lots of ideas online for creating Rudolph’s antlers—from the easiest to the most realistic, you may want to try pipe cleaners, pretzel twists or sugar cookies for your antlers.
Marshmallows
Jumbo marshmallows make a quick and easy canvas for creating holiday magic. Put three jumbo marshmallows on a stick, coat them in white chocolate and decorate to make marshmallow snowmen pops that are too sweet to pass up. Click here to watch a tutorial by Two Sisters Crafting. All you need to make adorable gingerbread marshmallow pops are, your choice of caramel-coated marshmallows or marshmallows covered in peanut butter confectioner’s coating, some piped white chocolate and tiny sugar decorations.
Sandwich Cookies
If you don’t think of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer when looking at your favorite sandwich cookies, changing your perspective may increase your holiday sales. When RCI member Vande Walle’s Candies coated Nutter Butter sandwich cookies in chocolate and embellished them with a pair of candy eyes, pretzel twist antlers and a bright red nose, these cute reindeer treats reportedly “flew out the door,” they were so popular with their customers! For another spin on this idea, try substituting the Nutter Butter cookies with Oreo cookies on a stick.
More than ever, consumers are looking to social media for unique and memorable gift ideas this holiday season. Posting photos of your festive holiday treats on social media regularly will help your company capture the attention of consumers while they’re making their shopping list this season.
Crave more? If you like what you read here, look for the "Subscribe now" box on the right to enter your email address and start receiving weekly tips, like this, delivered straight to your email inbox. RCI's Tip of the Week blog is just one of the many resources we offer to help candy makers refine their craft and build upon their business and marketing practices.
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Posted By RCI,
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
Updated: Monday, April 27, 2020
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| Photo credit: Flickr, Carrie Stephens |
It’s hard to believe Christmas is just over two months away! The closeness of Christmas is why this week’s tip is a holiday idea that’s fun for kids of all ages. Host a gingerbread house making party!
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A kit a Marie's Candies includes a pre-made house crafted out
of graham crackers, a bag of icing "glue" and a bag of
assorted holiday candies. |
Create the individual kits ahead of time with graham crackers, icing and the colorful candies to decorate the houses. Then, charge a set fee and invite families and children to come make their own gingerbread house. Be sure to have plates available for them to take their creation home. RCI member, Marie’s Candies, has had great success inviting customers to decorate gingerbread houses during their annual holiday open house. You also could make it a weekly Saturday activity leading up to Christmas. The possibilities and ideas for this activity are endless!
Not up to hosting a party at your store yet, or don’t have the space? You can still create kits that customers can purchase and take home. Then, ask them to share photos of the finished products on your Facebook page. It’s a great way to stay connected to your customers!
RCI's Tip of the Week blog is just one of the many resources we offer to help candy makers refine their craft and build upon their business and marketing practices. Review past blog posts for quick and actionable tips to apply to your business. Look for the "Subscribe now" box on the right to enter your email address and start receiving weekly tips, like this, delivered straight to your email inbox.
Not a member? Click here to learn how RCI can help you build your sweet business.
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Posted By RCI,
Tuesday, November 8, 2016
Updated: Wednesday, April 29, 2020
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Add a little holiday “cheers” to your confections this season. Perfect for holiday parties and gifts, we’ve curated three ideas from RCI members that incorporate beer, wine and spirits into their confections.
Beer Brittle
Joy Lyn’s Candies of Paradise, California partners with a local brewery to create a peanut brittle made with Sierra Nevada’s Pale Ale. Coined as “Beer Brittle,” this popular confection is made in small batches and offers a subtle hint of hops and malt. Given the popularity of the product, Sierra Nevada has allowed Joy Lyn’s to display their logo prominently on the front of the brittle packaging. Joy Lyn’s continues to expand their line of Sierra Nevada flavored products, including a jalapeno beer brittle and a Hop Salt Sout Caramel, as its name suggests, the caramels are sprinkled with salt infused with hops.
Irish Whiskey Truffle Shots
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KakaoChocolatepresented their Irish whiskey truffle shots
toRCI members during Candy Clinic at the 2016
Annual Convention in Indianapolis.
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Kakao Chocolate of St. Louis, Missouri has developed an indulgent Irish Whiskey Truffle Shot, by piping Irish whiskey ganache into recyclable sample cups and topped with cocoa nibs. When making the ganache, they add the whiskey at the end so the alcohol doesn’t cook out. If your store hosts a holiday open house, this would be a fun and unexpected treat for adult guests.
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Elevated Candy Co.sharedtheir black currant brandy-infused truffles
withRCI members during Candy Clinic at the 2016
Fall Conference in Vancouver, BC. |
Black Currant Brandy-Infused Truffles
Elevated Candy Co. of Port Townsend, Washington took the popular pairing of wine and chocolate to create the Black Currant Truffle. This popular confection is made by incorporating a local black currant-infused brandywine into their ganache and finishing the piece with a dash of red Hawaiian alea sea salt.
If you decide to incorporate beer, wine or spirits into your confections, know that regulations vary from state to state. Check with your local liquor control commission and familiarize yourself with regulations put in place by your state, as many prohibit the sale of confections that contain alcohol.
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