Monday, December 7, 2009

Hand Dipped Chocolates

I've just finished an exhausting week of Chocolate making with my Mom, two sisters and sister in law. We get together every year the week after thanksgiving and make around 350 pounds of hand dipped chocolates. We're always saying we can't do it again the next year, but we always do, it's tradition.
My mom has been dipping for over twenty years. She is basically self taught and amazing. I have a lot of practice to do before I dip on her level.

What we make:
caramels
caramels with nuts
mint truffles
orange truffles
rum truffles
peanut butter truffles
peanut clusters
cherries covered in fondant
and Rum balls -my favorite (it's rum fondant covered in chocolate and cashews)

We spend the first two days making centers, the next three dipping and the last day is spent boxing and cleaning up.

This is a small portion of what we do.
What do we do with all our chocolates?

I eat way to many
I try and box them up and give them out as fast as possible. We use them for office gifts, neighbor gifts, basically it's the only gift we give people.

Here some are all boxed up, I just need to make my labels, hopefully tomorrow.

This is how my cute little sister boxed hers.
Some Recipes:

Caramels:
4 cups sugar
2 cups Karo syrup
1 large can evaporated milk
1 quart whipping cream
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix everything except vanilla. Cook to firm ball stage. Add vanilla. Pour into 9 x 13 pan.

Truffles:
Scald 1/2 pint of whipping cream, let sit 5 minutes, then using a hand mixer, mix with 1 1/2 pounds chocolate. Flavor to taste.
*You can multiply this recipe for higher quantities of chocolate. We buy ours in ten pound bars. We use flavoring oils found at baking supply stores.

10 comments:

The House Creative said...

I don't think I could resist eating the entire time I make them. That image of all the chocolates... my oh my! Thanks for sharing this recipe, sounds delish!

Tammy @BeatriceBanks said...

Wow! The candy looks delicious! Can't imagine being in a room with that much chocolate! What lucky friends you have to receive such a wonderful gift.

Nicole said...

yummy!!!! I want some so bad!!! The mint ones are my favorite! I always go though my partents box and eat all the mint ones.

Marcia said...

Ours from Tami are all but gone and she gave them to us yesterday! You guys amaze me.

Steph @ somewhatsimple said...

No way, that is amazing!!! I would gain 50lbs...

LeAnn said...

I just happened upon you post. This looks great! I would love to try this next year and give it as gifts. How early can you make them?

Mary Hubbard said...

Any chance you'll share the rest of the recipes?? I just married into a HUGE family, and these would be perfect for 25+ gifts!

evelania said...

Yes, thanks for the recipes! Don't know if I'll actually ever make these but I really would love to...I think I'd need a crew to help me out. I have no idea how I found your blog...maybe through Remodelholic? Anyway, you are sure creative!

Karen said...

Beautiful.....where did you purchase your gift boxes?

Kate Thompson said...

Oh my my my!! These look divine!!! Yum!!

http://astitchofkate.blogspot.com/

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