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Posted By RCI,
Tuesday, August 6, 2024
Updated: Thursday, September 26, 2024
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For many candy makers, selling chocolate-covered strawberries in the summer heat might sound like a recipe for disaster. However, thanks to a viral idea from a produce market in London, this seemingly crazy idea is worth a second look--especially for late summer and fall events, including outdoor gatherings.
The viral concept simply involves a cup of fresh strawberries covered with melted chocolate. Click here to see how RCI member Zak & Mac’s Chocolate Haus does it. The appeal of these chocolate-covered strawberries lies in their simplicity. If you’re a chocolatier, you already have melted chocolate and likely a good source for fresh strawberries, if you make chocolate-covered strawberries for holidays.
For a creative spin, consider a strawberry shortcake-inspired version. Drench strawberries in white and milk chocolate and sprinkle with crushed shortcake cookies for a nostalgic twist. Alternatively, a cookies and cream variation, where the strawberries are covered in a mix of white chocolate and crushed Oreo cookies, will satisfy any cookie lover’s craving. For a campfire classic, try a s’mores version by mixing strawberries with milk chocolate, mini marshmallows and graham cracker crumbs.
Don’t limit yourself to strawberries. Adding a mix of fresh pineapple, blueberries, and grapes will work beautifully with this technique. Pineapple can be drizzled with white chocolate and toasted coconut, and grapes can be covered in a dark chocolate with a hint of sea salt.
Incorporating these variations not only keeps your offerings fresh and exciting but also helps your business stand out in a competitive market. Embrace this viral trend and let your creativity shine with these deliciously cool treats.
This simple yet delicious idea has become a favorite because it’s so versatile and easy to prepare. Sometimes, the best ideas are the simplest ones, and these chocolate-covered strawberries are a perfect example of that.
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.
Not a member? Click here to learn how RCI can help you build your sweet business.
Tags:
Chocolate
Fall
Heat Tolerant Candy
Melted Chocolate
Outdoor Events
Spring
Strawberries
Summer
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Posted By RCI,
Tuesday, June 14, 2022
Updated: Tuesday, October 11, 2022
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Brittle is a great summer treat, because it can stand up to warm summer temps all while satisfying the need for sweet, salty and whole lot of crunch! This week we’re sharing 5 quick tips from RCI members who are known for their brittles, among their other delightful treats, Joy Lyn’s Candies of Paradise, California. Keep reading as we troubleshoot common problems faced when making brittle and how to resolve them. - Crystallization can be caused by an incomplete wash-down of the kettle, mixing blade and other utensils used while making brittle. This means not all sugars have dissolved which will create a grainy texture.
- Sticky brittle could be the result of undercooking the batch, creating higher than desired moisture content.
- Alternatively, cooking brittle at too high of a temperature can lead to a scorched or bitter flavor.
- Butter your table top before pouring the batch to prevent it from sticking to the table.
- Brittle that is too hard and thick can happen if you use a fan to cool your mixture, allowing it to set too quickly. Avoid the use of a fan to cool mixture and work quickly to thin and spread brittle.
Joy Lyn's Glenn Hartley works quickly to create crisp, buttery peanut brittle. Game Changing Tools for Working with Brittle
Sometimes even perfect formulations can only get you so far, here’s a couple of Joy Lyn’s favorite tools for crafting drool-worthy brittles with consistency. As seen in the series of photos above, Glenn Hartley uses Tucker BurnGuard safety gloves and a heavy-duty scraper fashioned from the lid of a food-grade bucket. Finding the right heat-resistant gloves will not only protect your skin from burns, they allow you to spread hot brittle thinly and quickly. Joy Lyn’s wears high-temperature Tucker BurnGuard® safety gloves over white cotton gloves to lessen the heat. Sometimes a standard scraper is just not enough for confections, like brittle, that require a high-level of heat. Joy Lyn’s repurposes the lid of a food-grade corn syrup bucket to fashion their own heavy-duty scrapers, perfect for scraping the kettle and spread the hot brittle mixture after it’s poured. With the use of a bandsaw, they cut the bucket’s lid in half to achieve the desired shape. The result is a scraper that is thicker, larger and can better withstand high heat. Hopefully these tips will not only help you to identify and correct problem areas with brittle, but also achieve thinner, flavorful brittle with just the right amount of crunch! Crave more?Click here to subscribe and start receiving weekly tips, like this, delivered straight to your email inbox. RCI's 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. Not a member? Click here to learn how RCI can help you build your sweet business.
Tags:
Brittle
Gloves
Heat Tolerant Candy
Peanut Brittle
Production
Scraper
Summer
tips
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Posted By RCI,
Tuesday, May 21, 2019
Updated: Monday, April 27, 2020
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The first day of summer is a month away! If 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. Read on for ideas on more sturdy treats that aren’t as likely to melt in consumers' hands.
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| Photo by Romulo Yanes |
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 Chocolate presented 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.
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.
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.
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
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Posted By RCI,
Tuesday, February 20, 2018
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.
Marshmallows
RCI member Hilliard’s Chocolates’ toasted coconut marshmallow is their “tried and true” summer confection. Try it yourself with this recipe from Epicurious.
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.
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.
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.
Tags:
Brittle
Cotton Candy
Fudge
Ganache
Heat Tolerant Candy
Marshmallow
Member Ideas
Spring
Summer
Toffee
Truffles
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