5 Ways to Celebrate National Apple Month

Pumpkin may reign king of fall, but one might say the apple is queen. October is National Apple Month and just another reason to incorporate apple into your fall product line up. Keep reading for five confections to help you celebrate National Apple Month.

Credit: Hilliard’s Chocolates

Apple Pecan Caramel Bark

RCI member, Hilliard’s Chocolates, evokes all the fall feels with this bark that combines white chocolate, cinnamon oil, dried apples, caramel and cinnamon sugar for a welcome fall treat. Hilliard's Chocolates presented this idea at a past Candy Clinic. RCI members can login to view past Candy Clinic presentations like this one at retailconfectioners.org/candyclinic.

Credit: Peter’s Chocolate

Apple Pie Truffles

Achieve the comforting flavors of warm, apple pie in a truffle with this recipe from Peter’s Chocolate.

Credit: King Arthur Baking

Apple Cider Caramels

Another iconic fall flavor, apple cider brings a welcome depth of flavor to any caramel recipe. Check out  this recipe from King Arthur Baking.

Credit: Shugary Sweets

Apple Pie Fudge

Not only does this fudge bring fall flavor, the addition of gingersnap cookies emulates the texture of a crisp fall apple. Click here to view recipe from Sugary Sweets.

Credit: Cookies and Cups

Caramel Apple Popcorn

Caramel popcorn is reimagined for fall with dried apple chips and a dash of warm cinnamon in this recipe by Cookies and Cups.

We hope this week’s post helps you celebrate the flavors of the fall apple harvest.

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.

Dusting Colors: Edible or Not?

Ever wonder if those shimmery and glittering powders are really edible? Learn what's safe for consumption and what to look out for when sourcing dusting colors.

However eye-catching, not all colored dusts are created equal...or edible. There are very glittery, colorful products meant for crafts, yet packaged and marketed for the confectionery industry. Commonly labelled as “Disco Dust” and “Pixie Dust," these products are actually tiny bits of metallized plastic that should not be consumed.

Understanding Dusting Colors

Is "non-toxic" considered safe?

No, "non-toxic" just means the product is not poisonous—think Play-Doh or crayons. Always read product descriptions and understand common buzzwords.

Good = "FDA Approved" or "Food Product"

Bad = "Non-Toxic" or "For Decoration Only."

Nothing adds glitz and glam quite like dusting colors, but not all are safe for consumption. When sourcing safe dusting colors, it’s important to look for products that are FDA approved.

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.

Cheers to International Coffee Day with Chocolate Discs

Many would agree together chocolate and coffee are the perfect blend. In honor of International Coffee Day on September 29, create thin, chocolate discs to top (and eventually melt into) a coffee cup or mug. Using a three-inch diameter ring mould (like this one) could help you create a consistent shape every time.

 

The average ceramic coffee mug is 3.25 inches in diameter and an eight-ounce disposable coffee cup is approximately 3.15 inches.

Of course, solid chocolate discs are delicious as is, the options are endless if you’d like to add flare with flavorings (like caramel, French vanilla, hazelnut, mint, pumpkin spice, etc.) or toppings of crushed peppermint, sprinkles, swirls of dark/milk/white chocolate or cookie crumbles. The addition of colored cocoa butter or transfer sheets add to the visual aesthetics.

Once you’ve perfected your product, connect with local coffee companies and/or restaurants in your community to sell or promote your chocolate discs. Quick tip: For best results, pair chocolate discs with milk-based coffee drinks such as a lattes and cappuccinos.

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.

Celebrate Grandparents’ Day with S’mores Kits + Get Free Printable Gift Tags

 

We can all agree grandparents make life sweeter. Help customers celebrate National Grandparents’ Day on Sunday, September 12 with s’mores kits. 

Click here to download printable Grandparents' Day gift tags.

With s’mores season in full swing, many candy retailers already carry s’mores kits which can be quickly converted to a gift for Grandparents’ Day just by adding a themed gift tag. Click here to download RCI’s custom “grandparents make life s’more fun,” gift tag for free—printed six to a page.

If you don’t already offer s’mores kits, packaged with graham crackers and marshmallows this is an easy way to help move your solid chocolate bars. Check out this past blog post for ideas on how to take your s’mores to the next level. 

As always, promote your Grandparents’ Day s’mores kits on your website and social media for shoppers looking for fun and easy gift ideas. Don’t miss an easy opportunity to capture sales this Grandparents’ Day! 

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.