The Best of 2021: 5 Most Popular Posts from the RCI Blog

As we bid farewell to another year, we welcome you to join us in remembering the good memories of 2021. As an association, we are so grateful for the opportunities we’ve had to grow closer together, even when apart. And, we’re still celebrating the fact that many of our members and friends were able to physically gather for the 2021 Annual Convention & Industry Expo in Columbus, Ohio this summer! It was so nice to connect with old friends and welcome many new members! We’re already looking forward to another great convention week in Pittsburgh July 25-29, 2022!

In light of focusing on the positives that came from 2021, we’re bringing back RCI’s most-read blog posts from 2021, in case you missed them the first time or could use a refresher.

5. Tips for Building a Signature Trail Mix

With the snacking category experiencing substantial growth in the last two years, offering ready-to-enjoy trail mix is a great opportunity to create everyday snacking options, in addition to your special occasion gift options.

4. Build Your Own Chocolate Charcuterie Boards

One of the biggest breakout trends of 2021 was quite possibly the charcuterie board. Traditionally consisting of cured meats, cheeses and other savory snacks, it’s only natural for those of us with more of a sweet tooth to long for a spread of the chocolate variety.

3. 7 Buying & Inventory Tips for Retail Confectioners

With so many unknowns in our industry involving long lead times, shortages or challenges predicting demand, this post covers seven ways businesses can avoid or at least help mitigate the effects of supply shortages.

2. Dusting Colors: Edible or Not?

Ever wonder if those shimmery and glittering powders are really edible? In this post, we pull back the curtain on what's really safe for consumption and what to look out for when sourcing dusting colors.

1. 3 Expert Packaging Tips to Rule Retail Sales

Want packaging that will help you rule the retail scene? This post shares 3 expert tips to help your brand capture consumer attention and gain more sales.

Even though the challenges experienced in 2021 won’t disappear when the clock strikes midnight, we will celebrate a fresh start with a grateful heart, while leaning on new skills, stronger relationships and hope for a better tomorrow. Wishing you a safe and happy New Year!

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.

Create One-of-A-Kind Confections with Color

For a fun pop of color and whimsy to liven up your favorite coated confections, try a technique adopted from marbleizing paper. Use either tempered white chocolate or compound coating as your base and add a few drops of oil-soluble color to the top of the white base. The use of 2-3 different colors is recommended to achieve the marbled affect. Gently swirl the colors into the base, but do not overmix as you want to see the various colors. Dip precut pieces of parchment, cookies, truffles, pretzels, etc. into the coating and cool. If you use parchment, once it cools, gently peel away the paper and you are left with a colorful piece of edible art.

Photo credit: Blommer Chocolate Company

This fun and colorful technique can be used to enhance your dipped confections or barks for any holiday or occasion using different color combinations. We recommend recording a video or taking a series of photos to share the process with your social media followers.

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.

Add Glam to Your Confections with Texture

Do you want to add an impressive finishing touch to your chocolate confections? Add dimension to your confections with the use of texture sheets.

Photo credit: Pastry Chef, Inc.

Texture sheets are made from embossed plastics and can be used over and over again. Designs range from checkerboard patterns, to snake skin, to swirls and everything in between. Full sheets can be cut to any size to suit your needs. They can be used in place of traditional cocoa butter transfer sheets, when used in conjunction with magnetic mould frames. Both sides of the texture sheet can be used to create concave or convex impressions.

Although thicker texture sheets can present a challenge with magnetic mould use, they can be used in other ways too. For example, experiment by painting a full texture sheet with tempered chocolate before adding inclusions, like dried fruit and nuts, to create a unique bark. The textured pattern can be showcased on one side, while the other side reveals the inclusions.

Photo credit: Martellato Chocolate

Another method for utilizing texture sheets involves cutting the sheet into small squares to be placed onto pieces as they exit an enrober. This works similarly to cocoa butter transfer sheets, where the texture sheet side coming into contact with the chocolate will transfer the design as it sets up.

Finally utilize your texture sheets by applying a thin layer of chocolate to texture sheet. Once chocolate has set, use a knife or cookie cutters to create shapes to adorn your confections.

See for yourself by experimenting with texture sheets to add interest and dimension to your confections.

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.

Generate Sales by Bundling Products

Looking to increase sales and customer satisfaction? Bundling products has proven to be an effective strategy for generating sales. Here’s 3 expert tips for successfully bundling the right products to entice consumers to buy.

Photo credit: Bon Bon’s Candy House

Bundle Related Products
Creating product bundles based on a common theme can help encourage sales by focusing on a popular flavor or ingredient, such as peanut butter, or even the recipient of a gift. As an example, RCI member Bon Bon’s Candy House bundled some of their more traditional treats and labeled the bundle “Grandpa’s Favorites.”

Include a Free Item
Encourage shoppers to buy by offering free product as an incentive. Be intentional about making free offer relevant to the consumer. As an idea, consider appealing to the self-gifting trend (click here to read past blog post for more details) by offering a free gift to “treat yourself” when purchasing a gift for someone else. This could be approached as an opportunity to introduce customers to your signature products or move overstock items.

Use Sales Data
If you have access to sales data, take advantage of this information by identifying items that are frequently purchased together. By offering the suggestion of items that are commonly purchased together, not only can you entice shoppers to buy, but you might also uncover an unexpected trend that will help you increase sales both in store and online.

Bundling products is a proven sales strategy employed by many businesses over time. Use trial and error to identify which methods work best for your business and as always use in-store signage and social media post to generate consumer interest.

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.

Get Popping with Champagne-Inspired Confections

With New Year’s Eve around the corner, we’re sharing bottle-popping ideas for champagne-inspired confections. This versatile flavor can be used to ring in the new year, celebrate a loved one for Valentine’s Day, birthdays and anniversaries or even make great wedding favors.

Photo credit: Hilliard’s Chocolates

Rosé Truffles

For those who love wine and chocolate, RCI member Hilliard’s Chocolates hits the mark with their rosé flavored ganache covered in rich, dark chocolate.

Photo credit: Sugarfina

Chocolate-Covered Champagne Gummy Bears

What’s better than the popular champagne gummy bears? Champagne gummy bears drenched in your signature chocolate couverture, of course.

Photo credit: Melville Candy

Champagne Lollipops

These gourmet cocktail lollipops from Melville Candy not only fit the bill with flavors like pink champagne, prosecco and champagne bubbles, they almost look too pretty to eat…almost.

Photo credit: Kopper’s Chocolate

Rosé Cordials

These rose cordials from Kopper’s Chocolate quite literally drip with class and the sparkling pink finish makes them even more irresistible.

Photo credit: Stress Baking

White Chocolate Champagne Truffles

Looking to create your own champagne-flavored delights? This recipe for white chocolate champagne truffles captures the essence of any celebration worthy of bottle popping! Click here for recipe from Stress Baking.

Photo credit: Jelly Belly Candy Company

Champagne and Rosé Jelly Beans

Toast any occasion with champagne and rosé jelly beans from RCI member, Jelly Belly Candy Company. They have all the flavor of a glass of bubbly in a mini-sized bottle with none of the alcohol.

Cheers to lots of bubbly confections and a sweet new year ahead!

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.

3 Ways to Generate Online Sales

With more consumers continually looking for opportunities to shop online, is your business taking full advantage of the online sales opportunities available to you? Keep reading for 3 areas that may represent new sales opportunities for your business.

Online

If you don’t already have the capability to sell products on your website, you could be missing out on a significant number of sales. This may seem obvious to some, but as of February 2021, one in four small businesses (28%) don’t have a website. If you do have a website, building and maintaining a website can still be a challenge. An outdated or inaccurate site may be what’s holding you back from your full online sales potential.

A survey by Top Design Firms found that almost half of small businesses (46%) have in-house employees manage their website and 32% use DIY website builders to create a basic website. Ecwid is a user-friendly option to add an online store to any site—with free and paid versions available.

Mobile

Did you know a third of all online purchases were made on mobile devices during the 2020 holiday season? If your website doesn’t make it easy for mobile users to view your website on their mobile devices, this could represent a missed sales opportunity for your business. Click here for a past blog post with tips on how to optimize your mobile site in 3 steps.

Social Media

Reach new and existing customers where they’re already spending time—on social media. Most popular social media sites, like Facebook and Instagram, have easy-to-use options for creating an online store. For many businesses, having an online store on Facebook may take the place of a website.

If your business isn’t already taking advantage of these sales opportunities, now is as good a time as any to get started!

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.

5 Easy Winter Holiday Ideas

Spanning from December to March, winter encompasses several notable confectionery holidays. With continued interest in sharing indulgent treats with friends and family in-person and from a distance this holiday season, we’re sharing fun and easy inspiration to capture sales.

Photo credit: Hilliard’s Chocolates

Hanukkah
With limited options for consumers celebrating Hanukkah, RCI member Hilliard’s Chocolates has found success with offering peppermint bark made with crushed blue peppermints. 

Photo credit: American Chocolate Designs

Christmas
Transfer sheets are an easy way to bring color and excitement to bon bons, chocolate bars, chocolate bark and dipped sandwich cookies. Get the look pictured from RCI member, American Chocolate Designs.

Photo credit: Hugs and Cookies XOXO

New Year’s

Help customers ring in the new year with a spirited twist on the ever-popular hot chocolate bombs. Pictured are boozy hot chocolate bombs from blogger Hugs and Cookies XOXO. Check your state’s liquor laws for restrictions. 

Photo credit: Caljava International

Valentine’s Day

Spread the love with hand-piped royal icing toppers which can save time and add value to your products. Snag these sweet toppers from RCI member, Caljava International. 

Photo credit: Candiquik.com

St. Patrick’s Day
Transform your existing truffles into pots of gold fit for teams of leprechauns. This fun idea comes from Candiquik.com.

Here’s to a winter holiday season full of sweetness!

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.

Trend Watch: Shoppers Looking to Treat Themselves this Holiday Season

43% of Americans will be adding themselves to their shopping list this holiday season.

According to the 2021 holiday shopping trend report by Sitecore, gift giving for the upcoming holiday season will experience a significant shift toward shoppers self-gifting as a form of therapy after another stress-filled pandemic year.

Here's some ideas of gifts for customers to treat themselves (from left to right): Rheo Thompson Candies offers a collection of customers' favorite sweet and salty snacks; treat yourself to new holiday decor, filled to the brim with chocolates from Marie's Candies; the gift of solid chocolate ornaments from Enstrom Candies help customers count down the days to Christmas with a sweet and decadent treat each day.

When executing your marketing and merchandising plans this holiday, consider ways to appeal to consumers looking to treat themselves. Just as you might feature a thoughtful selection of “gifts for Dad,” curate a collection of customer favorites labeled as “gifts for me” or “treat yourself.” Include options ranging in prices for the cost conscious to those wanting to lavish themselves in luxury. Promote self-gifting ideas on social media, your website and with in-store signage.

Additionally, consider pampering your loyal customers, who may be thinking of everyone but themselves leading up to the holidays by hosting a “treat yourself” giveaway.

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.

No-Sugar Added Hot Cocoa Bombs: Tips, Tricks & Recipe

Hot cocoa bombs were all the rage last year and so far, are coming in hot for the cooler fall and winter seasons. Although considered a very indulgent beverage treat, RCI partner, Blommer Chocolate Company, has shared their version with no sugar added!

Photo credit: Blommer Chocolate Company

If you’ve ever struggled with assembling hot cocoa bombs, Blommer also covers two methods of assembling and adhering hot cocoa bombs for you to try and choose your favorite.

Click here for detailed instructions and a recipe for no-sugar-added hot cocoa bombs, plus valuable tips and tricks for making the perfect hot cocoa bomb every time!

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.

Snag this idea: Pumpkin Spice Hot Cocoa Bombs

 

This sweet idea from RCI partner, Tomric Chocolate Systems, combines two of the hottest trends this fall—pumpkin spice and a hot cocoa bomb all in one unmistakably fall package.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock recently, you’re likely well aware last year’s hot cocoa bomb trend is just as hot as ever. Stand out from the literal hundreds, if not thousands, of cocoa bombs on the market these days by offering something more unexpected, a pumpkin spice hot cocoa bomb, in the shape of—you guessed it—a pumpkin!

Photo credit: Tomric Systems

Click here for detailed instructions on how to recreate this exact look using Tomric’s H-855 mould and their recipe for pumpkin spice hot cocoa to fill your pumpkins!

Although today is National Pumpkin Day—this concept can be celebrated throughout November and can be marketed to customers as a fall holiday hostess gift or even as centerpieces for the Thanksgiving table. If this cute little gourd has you feeling inspired, look at your inventory of hollow moulds that could also be converted into unique hot cocoa bombs like this.

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.