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| MarthaStewart.com |
Brittles & Toffees
As long as they’re not coated in chocolate, you can count on these hard candies to stand tough. This recipe for sweet and smoky brittle from MarthaStewart.com would make the perfect addition to a summer BBQ or pool-party themed display or sold at a farmers’ market.
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| Tastemade.com |
Fudge
Not only do many fudge recipes hold up to reasonable heat, no-cook fudge recipes can help you keep the temperature down in your candy kitchen. Check out this tutorial for watermelon fudge that screams summer! Consider inserting popsicle sticks into watermelon wedges to serve as fudge pops.
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| Chocolate Storybook |
Cotton Candy
A staple at any outdoor carnival or boardwalk, these sugary clouds melt in your mouth, but not in your hand. When stored properly, cotton candy can withstand relatively high temperatures and deliver pops of color to your booth or retail shop. If you don’t want to make it yourself, Chocolate Storybook wholesales 31 unique flavors of hand-spun, specialty cotton candy from classic pink vanilla to spicy jalapeno.
Outshine the sun this spring and summer with these 5 delicious treats that can tolerate the heat, without turning into a melty, soupy mess.
Register now for RCI's Annual Convention & Industry Expo
Get more inspired ideas like these from fellow confectionery professionals and join us at RCI's Annual Convention & Industry Expo June 3-7, 2019 at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, CT. Register now to attend RCI's two-day Industry Expo for only $5 with the promo code "RCIHigh5." For more information and to register online, visit retailconfectioners.org/annual.
Note: The above recommendations are intended for use in reasonable conditions and not guaranteed to withstand extreme heat, such that might occur in shipping during spring and summer months.
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.
Tags: Brittle Cotton Candy Fudge Heat Tolerant Candy Marshmallow Member Ideas Summer Toffee Truffles
Tip #259 Treats with a Twist: Celebrate Cinco de Mayo
Updated: Monday, April 27, 2020
Although Cinco de Mayo is a minor holiday in Mexico, the holiday has evolved in the United States to commemorate Mexican heritage and culture. To help celebrate the world's largest producer and exporter of limes, we're sharing fun treats with a twist of this zesty citrus fruit.
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| Party City |
Candy Margaritas
Create a cheery display of mini margarita glasses filled with candies and rimmed with colored sugar and wedges of lime-flavored gummies. Consider packaging ingredients in bulk, along with a take-home guide for Cinco de Mayo party goers/hosts to easily grab and DIY these magnificent mocktails at home.
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| Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Company |
Chocolate + Lime
Lime adds a fresh twist to the classic truffle, because the citrus helps cut through the richness of chocolate and the fresh cream used in ganache. Consider incorporating lime juice or oil into your truffle recipe or add lime zest to your chocolate bars. RCI member, Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Company adds a twist of key lime to their craft chocolate bars.
Chili + Lime
Lure in your more adventurous patrons with samples of chili and lime truffles. Click here to get the recipe from Hope and Greenwood.
Have fun celebrating Cinco de Mayo with these fun treats! Share your favorite lime concoctions in the comments below.
Tip #257: 5 Sweets that Beat the Heat
Updated: Monday, April 27, 2020
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| Photo by Romolo Yanes |
Regardless of any groundhogs’ predictions, the arrival of spring is a month away! This means more outdoor festivals, farmers markets, picnics and parties on the horizon. Don’t let warm weather keep your business from shining at outdoor events by featuring more sturdy treats that aren’t as likely to melt in consumers' hands.
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| Epicurious |
Marshmallows
RCI member Hilliard’s Chocolates’ toasted coconut marshmallow is their “tried and true” summer confection. Try it yourself with this recipe from Epicurious.
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| Kakao Chocolatepresents Truffle Shots during RCI's Candy Clinic in 2016. |
Truffle Shots
RCI member, Kakao Chocolate shared a creative idea at a past Candy Clinic for a mess-free summery chocolate treat. By piping ganche into compostable cups, Kakao Chocolate’s truffle shots allow them to deliver the same great chocolatey taste their known for at farmers’ markets and other outdoor events without the threat of chocolate melting in customers’ hands.
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| MarthaStewart.com |
Brittles & Toffees
As long as they’re not coated in chocolate, you can count on these hard candies to stand tough. This recipe for sweet and smoky brittle from MarthaStewart.com would make the perfect addition to a summer BBQ or pool-party themed display or sold at a farmers’ market.
 |
| Tastemade.com |
Fudge
Not only do many fudge recipes hold up to reasonable heat, no-cook fudge recipes can help you keep the temperature down in your candy kitchen. Check out this tutorial for watermelon fudge that screams summer! Consider inserting popsicle sticks into watermelon wedges to serve as fudge pops.
 |
| Chocolate Storybook |
Cotton Candy
A staple at any outdoor carnival or boardwalk, these sugary clouds melt in your mouth, but not in your hand. When stored properly, cotton candy can withstand relatively high temperatures and deliver pops of color to your booth or retail shop. If you don’t want to make it yourself, Chocolate Storybook wholesales 31 unique flavors of hand-spun, specialty cotton candy from classic pink vanilla to spicy jalapeno.
Outshine the sun this spring and summer with these 5 delicious treats that can tolerate the heat, without turning into a melty, soupy mess.
Note: The above recommendations are intended for use in reasonable conditions and not guaranteed to withstand extreme heat, such that might occur in shipping during spring and summer months.
Stay connected with RCI through Facebook for more tips and inspiration dedicated to the retail candy maker. Not a member? Click here to learn how RCI can help you build your sweet business.
Tags: Brittle Cotton Candy Fudge Ganache Heat Tolerant Candy Marshmallow Member Ideas Spring Summer Toffee Truffles
Throwback Tip #133: 3 Ways to Extend the Shelf Life of Your Truffles
Updated: Wednesday, April 29, 2020
Today is National Truffle Day! Often considered the highest expression of a quality confection and often commands the highest price when purchasing, there’s no question why these little morsels are good cause for celebration.
A decadent truffle made with high-quality ingredients is a welcome surprise to chocolate lovers around the world, however, the surprise appearance of mold could ruin your sweet reputation. Keep reading for three ways to extend the shelf life of your truffles.
Reduce Water Activity
The high moisture of cream
Reducing water activity will reduce the microbial growth and can be accomplished by:
- Replacing a portion of the cream with corn syrup
- Adding
invertase - Increasing fat percentage
- Increasing chocolate solids
Use of Preservatives (including natural preservative options)
Preservatives can also control microbial growth. Potassium sorbate however it ganache
Reduce Storage Temperature
A rule of thumb is that reducing the temperature by 18°F (10°C) will double the shelf life. Freezing truffles can substantially increase their shelf life, however, this must be done properly. Click here to view previous blog post
A truffle’s short shelf-life is a major challenge for many confectioners. With these tips from RCI’s Chocolate Boot Camp you can effectively extend the shelf-life of your truffles and avoid any unwanted surprises.
Get solutions to your problem candies from fellow confectioners and industry suppliers at RCI's Annual Convention & Industry Expo next month! Register online now and join us in Chicagoland June 12-16, 2017!
Stay connected with RCI through Facebook for more tips and inspiration dedicated to the retail candy maker. Not a member? Click here to learn how RCI can help you build your sweet business.
Tags: Candy Holidays Candy Making Chocolate Chocolate Boot Camp Chocolate Production Problem Candy Truffles
The Best of 2016: Top 5 Tips of the Week
Updated: Wednesday, April 29, 2020
We've curated the most-read tips from 2016, to pinpoint topics that are most important to candy makers.
From troubleshooting tips to sky-high merchandising inspiration, plus a customer service must-read, the following posts deliver quick and easily executed tips to simply the lives of confectioners, like you!
Suffer from sweaty sea salt caramels? Take tips from fellow candy makers and RCI members on how to avoid this common problem.
Get step-by-step instructions for creati ng this eye-catching truffle tree.
RCI MEMBER BONUS: Click here to login to RCI’s member site and snag three variations of ganache recipes on page 9 of RCI’s Kettle Talk magazine.
Nobody likes hard, dried-out marshmallows! Keep your ‘mallows soft and pillowy all year long with this popular tip of the week.
An oldie, but a goodie, this throwback from 2012 covers four customer service basics that are too important not to review with your team on a regular basis.
Bloom is easily identified as one of the most common problems facing candy makers. No surprise, this post tops the list with common causes of chocolate bloom, as well as simple solutions.
Stay connected with RCI through Facebook for more tips and inspiration dedicated to the retail candy maker. Not a member? Click here to learn how RCI can help you build your sweet business.
Tags: bloom Candy Hacks Candy Making Caramel Chocolate Chocolate Production Customer Service Employee Management Idea Sharing Marshmallow Merchandising Problem Candy Recipe temper Truffles Tutorial
Tip 208: 3 Ways to Add Holiday “Cheers” to Your Confections
Updated: Wednesday, April 29, 2020
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.
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| Joy Lyn's Candiesmakes Beer Brittle |
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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Annual Convention in Indianapolis. |
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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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.
There are countless ways to incorporate beer, wine and spirits into your confections. Here’s some more ideas (plus, recipes), sure to warm the belly during the cold-weather months ahead; cinnamon whiskey-infused marshmallows coated in chocolate, Beer and Pretzel Caramels or uber-trendy red wine hot chocolate.
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.
Stay connected with RCI through Facebook for more tips and inspiration dedicated to the retail candy maker. Not a member? Click here to learn how RCI can help you build your sweet business.
Tags: Beer Candy Making Caramels Chocolate Christmas Creative Flavors Flavors gifts Idea Sharing Liquor Marshmallow Peanut Brittle Recipe Thanksgiving Truffles Wine
Tip # 201: Take Merchandising to New Heights with a Truffle Tree
Updated: Wednesday, April 29, 2020
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| Photos courtesy ofAnnedore's Fine Chocolates |
A tower of truffles or “truffle tree” is a stylish way for your customers to serve truffles to a large group. The Truffle Tree also makes for an eye-catching merchandising display for your retail shop. It is a big ticket item that can add nice revenue to your store’s sales. With a little advance planning, building the tree can be relatively easy to execute.
Here you will find a list of materials needed and step-by-step instructions for creating this showpiece as provided by RCI member, Annedore's Fine Chocolates. RCI members: Click here to log on to RCI’s member site and view three variations of
For ease of construction, un-dipped ganache balls may be stored in the freezer. Simply follow the instructions below for thawing and dipping the ganache balls and you are ready to build a tree on demand.
Materials Needed:
- Truffles (see recipes below)
- Silicone mats
- Plastic wrap
- Foam block
- Parchment paper or aluminum foil (optional)
- Round toothpicks
- Tempered chocolate
- Foam cone
- Wrapping paper or fabric (preferably coordinating with the color of your truffles)
- Flathead pins
- Scissors
- Ribbon or tree topper (optional)
Step-By-Step Instructions
- Prepare truffle centers using your own
ganache recipe or seerecipes below. Pipeganache onto silicone mats. Cover the mats with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 12 hours. Transfer mats to the freezer for 12 hours. Removemats from the freezer and pop outganache balls (Note: Balls may be returned to the freezer for future use). Cover balls with plastic wrap and allow them to come to room temperature. - Cover a foam block with parchment paper or aluminum foil, so it can be reused. Glue a toothpick into each
ganache ball by, first, dipping one end of the toothpick into tempered chocolate and then inserting that end into the center of the flat side of theganache ball. Allow toothpick to set up firmlyin theganache ball.
- Once the toothpick is firmly set
in theganache ball you are ready to dip eachganache ball in tempered chocolate. Dip each ball carefully and then insert tooth-picked end of the ball into the block of foam. This will allow for perfect-looking, uniform truffles to create your truffle tree. Allow chocolate to set up.Truffles may be decorated while standing in the block of foam.
- Before you begin to build your tree, first, wrap the foam cone completely with wrapping paper or fabric – secure with flathead pins, as needed.
- Beginning at the bottom of the cone, push the tooth-picked truffles into the cone working your way around the cone to create the first row. On the second row, stagger the truffles by placing them in the open spaces created by the first row. Carefully work your way up the cone row by row until the entire cone is covered in truffles. Toothpicks may need to be cut as you reach the top of the cone.
- Crown the top of your tree by inserting a tooth-picked truffle vertically on the top of the cone. Experiment with different tree toppers, such as a large bow or a chocolate initial or number (birthday idea). Use your imagination.
Stay connected with RCI through Facebook for more tips and inspiration dedicated to the retail candy maker. Not a member? Click here to learn how RCI can help you build your sweet business.
Tags: Candy Making Chocolate Creativity Displays Idea Sharing Ideas Merchandising Photos Trends Truffles Tutorial
Tip # 192: Make your Favorite Summer Treats Pop!
Updated: Wednesday, April 29, 2020
 Firecracker Bark fromNot Your Momma's Cookie |
Get things poppin to your favorite summer th of
Keep in mind, Pop Rocks may react to the water content found in heavy cream or other ingredients used in the above recipes. To avoid this, simply coat the Pop Rocks in cocoa butter to protect the “pop” until it hits consumer’s mouths!
Pop Rocks® is a registered trademark of Zeta Espacial SA.
Stay connected with RCI through Facebook for more tips and inspiration dedicated to the retail candy maker. Not a member? Click here to learn how RCI can help you build your sweet business.
Stay connected with RCI through Facebook for more tips and inspiration dedicated to the retail candy maker. Not a member? Click here to learn how RCI can help you build your sweet business.
Tags: 4th of July Bark Candy Holidays Candy Making Holidays Ideas Labor Day Memorial Day Patriotic Strawberries Truffles
Tip #133: Extend Truffle Shelf Life
Updated: Thursday, April 30, 2020
One idea is to use invertase, an enzyme derived from yeast, as an ingredient to bring down water activity in your truffle centers. Additionally, syrups such as honey will work similarly. Or you may also use potassium sorbate. Talk to your ingredients suppliers to determine the right amount to use for your specific truffle recipes.
Do note that if you claim that your products are all natural, you should pay close attention to how you choose to extend shelf life of your products. See this story on a bagel company who received a warning from the FDA for labeling their bagel as all natural because their blueberries contained potassium sorbate.
