This is part two of my favorite Valentine’s Day chocolates.
Julia Baker Confections
Juliabakerconfections.com; 480.699.4017
Julia, culinary artist and confectioner, calls Scottsdale home. Her creations are works of art, as pretty to see, as they are to eat. And her packaging is, as they say, icing on the cake! And cakes are one of Julia’s many creations, as well as boxed chocolates, chocolate bars and corporate gifts. And the Connoisseur’s Club makes sure you can
enjoy her chocolate delivered to your door month after month.
Lake Champlain Chocolates
akechamplainchocolates.com; 800.465.5909These chocolates call Vermont home, which is also home to Vermont all-natural ingredients that are used in Lake Champlain chocolates, including sweet butter, pure maple syrup, fresh cream and honey from the hive. Their product line includes not only truffles, but also organic truffles (crafted from organic ingredients), bars, boxed chocolates, nuts, hot chocolate and party favors. I recently tasted their Sea Salt Caramels and was VERY impressed. Sugars are slowly caramelized to a golden mahogany in open copper kettles. And then there is their Chocolate Club: for 3, 6 or 9 months.
Lillie Belle Farms Hand Made Chocolates
Lilliebellefarms.com; 888-899-2022
Chocolatier Jeff Sheppard spent 20 years in the restaurant business and now he makes delicious chocolates in Central Point, Oregon. Almost all of the ingredients he uses are organic and he grows a lot of his own berries. His Dark Chocolate Fleur du Sel Lavender Caramel is my favorite but Jeff is into spice also so you’ll find bars with a generous helping of Ghost Chilies, Aji Amarillo Chilies and a splash of Chili Arbole. Jeff’s chocolate club has 3 month, 6 month and 12-month plans. Jeff is a recent winner of the 2012 Good Food Awards.
Recchiuti
Recchiuti.com; 415.826.2868
Another San Francisco favorite is Recchiuti. I’ve made many visits to their Ferry Building Marketplace location for their S'mores Bites.
But for Valentine’s Day, try the Recchiuti Hearts & Arrows Burnt Caramel Truffles. Owner Michael Recchiuti has a James Beard Award nominated cookbook, Chocolate Obsession, and he has some recipes available on his website. His products are top notch, including boxed chocolates, bars, sauces, favors, T-shirts and shopping bags.
Schneider Kitchens Toffee
Email Susan at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; schneiderkitchens.com; 713.665.1950Toffee is the name of the game here. Susan Schneider in Houston, Texas, makes delicious toffee by hand and in small batches. She uses premium chocolate, organic sweet cream butter, pure can brown sugar and the highest quality pecans. She has a variety of sizes available for individual or corporate gifts. I must tell you that this product is addictive. You can’t stop at just one piece of toffee (like potato chips). So order this toffee for yourself and enjoy a treat.
Happy Valentine’s Day,
Sally
For more food tips and advice by me, please visit Sally's Place.
