Dessert Darling

Snickers versus Baby Ruth, a Poll!

Recently we had a very heated and close poll between Reese's Pieces and Peanut Butter M&Ms (click here to see!). Today I'm pitching Baby Ruth versus Snickers.  Which chocolatey, caramel, nougat and nut candybar do you prefer?!

 

Which Candy Bar is Better? Snickers or Baby Ruth?online survey

 

XOXO

See's Candies, a Household Holiday Staple!

If See's advertised itself as a chocolatier, I'd have to give them 3.5 cherries. But they don't, they call their treats candy, and that distinction escalates their rating to a solid 5-cherries for their chocolaty, crunchy, tasty goodness! If not for yummy-factor, than at least for nostalgia's sake. I literally can't conceive of a holiday in my home without a box of See's accompanying the festivities.  

Since childhood, these mini, gourmet candy bars have made their way into every Christmas, Easter, and birthday celebration, with each family member having a favorite.  

Dad's the marzipan, mom's the dark chocolate with almonds, my brother Chris likes the cherry cordials, Greg's the healthy one who'd rather eat beef jerky, and I was a "Scotch Mallow" girl (butterscotch and marshmallow covered in chocolate.. mmmm). 

While I don't think these are the most delicate and say, sexy treats, for a romantic affair, I do think they're fun and hearty chocolates for a family to enjoy on special occasions.

 

For more info on See's Candies, click here.

 

XOOX

Reese's Pieces versus Peanut Butter M&Ms, You Decide...

So last night my guy and I made it a Blockbuster night, and we got into a little stand-off when it came to our candy purchase. Before I elaborate  though, I must declare- I don't like artificial candy! I always feel worse after I eat it. But last night it looked so fun and colorful and well- it was a Sat. night! We had to splurge!

Anyway, my guy wanted Reeces Pieces and I suggested that we get Peanut Butter M&Ms. This spurred a whole debate as to which candy is actually better.  

So now I ask YOU, dear DD readers, which candy do you prefer??

 

Photo from RelaxitsWorse

xoxo

Strawberry Peanut Butter M&Ms in a word

gross.

Click here for my thoughts on better M&Ms ;-)

 

Dylan's Candy Bar - Fabulous Book and Fun Event

Looks like this is the week of book signings!  Tonight I attended Dylan Lauren's (of Ralph Lauren) book signing for her new, fabulous coffee table book, Dylan's Candy Bar: Unwrap Your Sweet Life. It's a joyful compilation of gorgeous images and creative ideas for celebrating, cooking and decorating with candy. :)   

 

 

 

Coconut M&Ms vs. Almond Joy Pieces

Today I found myself at the gas station, staring at the colorful rows of candy, when I decided to take it upon myself to investigate the differences between Coconut M&Ms versus Almond Joy Pieces.  These two coconut-chocolate candy treats turned out to be very different experiences that will surely have fans and dissenters on each side of the table.

 

 

Coconut M&Ms

You might recall from this entry here that I wasn't that big a fan of the Coconut M&Ms.  The lack of real coconut shreds inside disappointed me and I found the coconut flavor to be disturbingly artificial. Indeed, these M&Ms taste a bit like the way some tanning lotions smell!  That said, these candies are a much heartier and more chocolate-y treat than Almond Joy pieces.

 

Almond Joy Pieces

The Almond Joy Pieces have thin candy shells that instantly crack in your teeth with very little resistance due to the soft, shredded insides. Yes, these candies have real bits of coconut shreds inside- Hooray! These treats are a "lighter" candy with a much nuttier flavor.  While I preferred these to the artificial tasting M&Ms, some people might really miss the presence of actual chocolate in these candies (which they do have, but just very little of it.).  

 

Coconut M&Ms  vs.  Almond Joy Pieces

 

Ultimately, both bags of candy have made me a bit sick to my stomach and are reminding me why I don't eat pre-packaged, mass produced sweets with artificial ingredients and colors in the first place!  Hmm, well, I hope this investigative report was well worth the tummy-ache and that you learned some very important and valuable information! 

 

Adventures in Pretzel M&Ms

You might recall this post where I shared my reignited ardor for Peanut Butter M&Ms and poo-pooed the new Coconut edition.  That M&M entry prompted many of you to ask me about pretzel M&Ms. One beloved reader even sent me a few bags of them to try! WowWee.  Thanks Laura!

Here're my thoughts on the new blue bag on the block: These M&Ms are much more of a snack experience than they are a chocolate one.  The candy chocolate shells that coat these sizable pretzel-balls are simply too thin to yield the normal dose of chocolate that you'd expect from M&Ms.  Indeed, it's almost alarming to bite into them and have such a dry crunch in your mouth.  Finally, due to the lack of chocolate and the presence of salt, the flavor of these treats is almost more reminiscent of caramel than it is cocoa.

 

The best thing about the Prezel M&Ms? They're only 5 grams of fat per bag! And while I don't like to count calories and fat, that's a sizable difference from its fattier friends and makes me more likely to grab a bag before hopping on a flight! 

Thanks again Laura! Laura does more than donate M&Ms to me, she's the Charity Girl at UTA, so please, do good and follow the UTA Foundation Twitter!

 

Tasty Tuesday Video - Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory

Hi everyone! It's officially my new favorite day of the month, Tasty Tuesday!

This past week I traipsed the UCLA, Westwood Village until I found myself in the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, where the nicest manager let me film inside his shop and even dip my own pretzels in the kettle of freshly made, insanely delicious caramel. 
MMMMMMMmmmmm, I'm literally dreaming about those pretzel sticks and candy covered apples as I write this entry!

The Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory holds a dear place in my heart as I used to visit the shop in Colorado with my family on winter vacation. There was always a massive teddy bear sitting on the bench outside of the snow and just seeing him signaled joy and delights ahead (usually in the form of chocolate covered honeycomb :)

Anyway, check out the video! See how gorgeous those Apples are!? These impressive treats would made the perfect gifts! If you're near UCLA, you really must drop in this delicious little shop. :)

For more information on the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, or to even order online, click here!

To see my first Tasty Tuesday video, click here!

Adventures in New M&Ms

The other night I caught myself hovering over an M&M bowl at a party.  This was no ordinary M&M bowl though, it was a peanut-butter M&M bowl. Now, I know these aren't exactly the latest and greatest invention and long before the orange M&M bag we had Reeces Peices cornering the PB market, but these candies surprised me like a freshman geek who'd transformed into a senior hottie overnight. How'd I not know or remember how amazing these M&Ms are!?

Photo from TheToothHurts

I don't rate candy because it's loaded with artificial and low quality ingredients,  pandering to the least discerning palettes (children's!).  Instead, I enjoy fresh, home-made desserts that hopefully involve thought, creativity, and the finest ingredients.

 

That said, I did just indulge in M&Ms and as long as I have a dessert blog, I may as well share.  Naturally, my newfound love-affair with PB M&Ms made my eyebrows raise upon spotting a white M&M bag at my drugstore's check-out stand.  Why-Hello, what are you White Bag o' M&Ms??

Coconut M&Ms. Well, you don't say.  Visions of goey white coconut shreds miraculously encapsulated in M&M chocolate/sugar shells danced in my head and I knew I had to buy the bag at once.. even if it only appeared to have 3 colors (green, white, and brown).

Alas, the insides were solid brown chocolate (like large plain M&Ms) and had a strong dose of artificial coconut flavoring instead of the real, tropical stuff. ((Sigh)), a total bust.

In conclusion, M&Ms are still tried and true childhood treats that have an array of options to target my any mood. Right now, my mood loves the Peanut-Butter bites!