chocolate Archives - Jen is on a Journey

Lindt LINDOR Truffles: Smooth, Creamy, Amazing!

December 30, 2011 by The Mom Jen 234 Comments

I’ve been a chocolate lover for as long as I can remember. I prefer the treat or fruity candy, I love my cakes and desserts to be chocolate, and it gives me an overall feeling of pleasure after I eat it. Sound familiar?

Lindt’s LINDOR truffles are a delicious holiday (and everyday) treat that are the smoothest, creamiest, most rich chocolate I’ve tasted. When I eat each little ball, the center always pleasantly surprises me with the way it melts in my mouth. Crafted by the Lindt Master Chocolatiers using a secret recipe and the finest ingredients, these truffles combine a delicious chocolate shell with a smooth melting center for the ultimate chocolate delight. They are wrapped so beautifully, I’d gladly accept them or give them as a gift year-round! When these are in my home, they must be hidden, this is premium chocolate that I’m afraid I don’t like sharing. (sorry kids!)

I was introduced to the seasonal limited edition dark peppermint truffle this holiday season and I loved them. I’ve always enjoyed peppermint candies, and even while I was pregnant each time, I craved anything peppermint flavored (even toothpaste)! I’m normally a semi-sweet and milk chocolate fan over the dark, but the combination is really, really good!

– LINDOR Milk Chocolate – a milk chocolate shell with a smooth melting milk chocolate center; available year round

– Limited Edition Dark Peppermint – a dark chocolate shell with a smooth peppermint center; available for holiday season only

Holiday Survey
Through a survey, Lindt polled more than 1,000 Americans, ages 18 and older, to uncover information on trends in flavors during the holiday season. Here’s what Americans say:

Holiday Flavors:
–More than half of Americans (57%) say they enjoy foods, aromas and flavors the most during the holidays
–More than half of Americans (56%) say spices, such as cinnamon or coriander, are their favorite holiday flavors
–Nearly half of Americans chose nuts (47%) or mint or peppermint (46%) as their favorite holiday flavors
–Nearly two out of every three Americans (62%) desire milk chocolate most when indulging in chocolate

Holiday Decor:
–Nearly half of women (43%) say decorating is what they enjoy most during the holidays

Holiday Gifting:
–More than half of women (56%) say gift giving is what they enjoy most during the holidays
–Almost two out of three women (64%) say they would give chocolate as a stocking stuffer
–Two out of three women say they would give chocolate to their friends (67%) and family (62%) during the holidays; more than half (52%) of women say they would give chocolate as a hostess gift during the holiday season

We received samples to facilitate this review, all opinions are mine.

Peanut Butter Candy Bar Bites Recipe

December 19, 2011 by The Mom Jen 10 Comments

If you like chocolate bars with a flaky peanut buttery center, you may recognize this treat, it tastes very similar to a famous candy bar! But you must try this Peanut Butter Candy Bar Bites recipe to find out, it’s simple and absolutely delicious, we tried them at the BlogEats Conference back when I was at the Kraft Kitchens, they do not disappoint!

Prep Time: 15 min. plus refrigerating | Makes: 32 servings.

What You Need

1		pkg. (16 oz.) candy corn (2-1/3 cups)
1		jar (16.3 oz.) PLANTERS Creamy Peanut Butter
1/2		cup crushed corn flakes
2		pkg. (8 squares each) BAKER’S Semi-Sweet Chocolate

Make It

Line 8-inch square pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides. Microwave candy corn in large microwaveble bowl sprayed with cooking spray on HIGH 1 min.; stir. Continue microwaving until candy is completely melted, stirring every 15 sec. Immediately stir in peanut butter and crushed cereal until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Press firmly onto bottom of foil-lined 8-inch square pan; cool completely.
Use foil handles to remove cereal mixture from pan; cut into 32 bars. Melt chocolate as directed on package. Dip bars in chocolate; place in single layer in shallow waxed paper-lined pan. Refrigerate 1 hour or until chocolate coating is firm.

Peanut Butter Candy Bar Minis:
Cut into 48 bars instead of the 32 bars.

Kraft Kitchens’ Insider Tip:
To lessen the chance of crumbling, the cereal mixture is cut into bars while still at room temperature prior to dipping them in the melted chocolate.

Note:
If any melted chocolate remains after all the bars are coated, store it in a tightly covered container at room temperature until ready to use for another use.

Nutrition Information Per Serving: 200 calories, 11g total fat, 4g saturated fat, 2g polyunsaturated fat, 3.5g monounsaturated fat, 0g trans fat, 0mg cholesterol, 115mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate, 2g dietary fiber, 18g sugars, 4g protein, 0%DV vitamin A, 0%DV vitamin C, 0%DV calcium, 6%DV iron

Thanks to Kraft Kitchens for sending me the recipe with all the nutritional information included.

Make Double-Chocolate Mousse for Your Valentine!

February 14, 2011 by The Mom Jen 11 Comments

Chocolate mousse is my all time favorite chocolate dessert. It’s so creamy and light and one of our local restaurants makes it to perfection! There are 2 problems with it though. First is that after a filling meal, I don’t have room for dessert! And, two, I’m trying to eat better and not load up on unnecessary calories.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, I am over-joyed to tell you what I’ll be making for my family! Bonus: it’s got less calories and fat than the average mousse! Here’s how: Use fat-free milk in place of 2% milk and JELL-O Chocolate Fat Free Sugar Free Instant Pudding and COOL WHIP FREE Whipped Topping in place of the regular products. This results in a savings of 60 calories, 3.5 g of fat, and 3 g of saturated fat per serving! The taste? You’ll have to try it yourself!

What You Need
1-1/2 cups fat-free milk, divided
2 squares BAKER’S Semi-Sweet Chocolate
1 pkg. (2.1 oz.) JELL-O Chocolate Fat Free Sugar Free Instant Pudding
2 cups thawed COOL WHIP FREE Whipped Topping, divided
1/2 cup fresh raspberries

MICROWAVE 1 cup milk and chocolate squares in large microwaveable bowl on HIGH 2 min.; whisk until chocolate is melted. Add remaining milk and dry pudding mix; beat 2 min. Refrigerate 20 min.

WHISK in 1-1/2 cups COOL WHIP; spoon into 6 dessert dishes.

TOP with remaining COOL WHIP and berries.

Did you know the scientific name for chocolate means “food of the gods”? Find out more fun chocolate facts and recipes at the Kraft Foods chocolate center.