Candy Hack: A Simple Solution to Spread Brittle More Evenly

 

For many candy makers and chocolatiers this is the busiest time of the year. That’s why, for the month of December, we’re sharing some of our favorite candy hacks—quick and easy solutions to common confectionery conundrums. This week we’re sharing a pro tip for pulling brittle with greater consistency.

 

Do you ever have trouble with staff stretching large slabs of brittle in an inconsistent manner? By cutting brittle into several smaller strips rather than one large slab, RCI member Kevin Wenzel of Wiseman House Chocolates has been able to reduce waste and produce product with a more even thickness.

 

After pouring and spreading, run a large metal spatula under the brittle to break the cold/heat bond from the cooling table. Then cut the brittle into several long sections and stretch on one side, then flip each section over and stretch it again. This approach will help achieve more even thickness and reduce the amount of product from the edges that is scrapped.

 

Stay tuned, next week we will share tips for prevent your sea salt caramels from sweating.

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Candy Hack: Make Meltaways with Untempered Chocolate

 

For many candy makers and chocolatiers this is the busiest time of the year. That’s why, for the month of December, we’re sharing some of our favorite candy hacks—quick and easy solutions to common confectionery conundrums. This week we’re sharing a pro tip for making meltaways.

The most common way to make a meltaway is to combine tempered chocolate with melted coconut oil until it is smooth. Because coconut oil is a lauric fat, it must be added at a lower temperature so not to throw the chocolate out of temper. If the chocolate becomes untempered (or was never tempered to start with) the nice, smooth texture of the meltaway will eventually be replaced with an unpleasant mouthfeel due to the formation of fat globules.

Mixing Things Up
Consider this alternative method to making stable, smooth-textured meltaways with untempered chocolate. Instead of adding fat to tempered chocolate, combine untempered chocolate and coconut oil in a mixer. Mix at a slow speed until the temperature is below 78ºF/25.5ºC and has visibly thickened. Referred to as the “mixer method,” it achieves the same desired stability and texture the meltaway is revered for, without the hassle of keeping temper.

Stay tuned, next week we will share a simple trick for greater consistency when spreading brittle.

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Candy Hack: How to Fix Ganache Gone Wrong

Hello, December! For many candy makers and chocolatiers this is the busiest time of the year. That’s why, for the next four weeks, we’re sharing some of our favorite candy hacks—quick and easy solutions to common confectionery conundrums.

This week we’re sharing a quick fix for ganache if the chocolate and the fat separates. RCI member Robert Baker, of Sweet Tooth Candies, shares that instead of throwing out the batch, simply lay a sheet of butcher paper over the bowl of ganache for a minute or two. The paper will absorb the excess fat, leaving a smooth and silky ganache.

Click here for RCI’s quick-reference guide for troubleshooting other common mishaps with chocolate. 

Stay tuned, next week we will share a surprising tip for making meltaways with untempered chocolate.

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10 Ways to Feature Candy Canes this Christmas

The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to celebrate than with candy canes? These classic red and white striped treats are a staple of Christmas, and can be used in a variety of ways to add a festive touch to your confectionery creations. In this week's blog post, we're sharing 10 creative and easy ideas for incorporating candy canes into your product mix and presentation for the holidays.

 
Photo credit: Sugar and Charm, Sweet Lil You, Amen Photography

1.  Candy Cane Trees

Make an impact in your holiday window display or size it down for an eye-catching centerpiece for a tabletop display. Click here to view a step-by-step tutorial on the massive candy cane showpiece pictured above.

Photo credit: Martha Stewart

2.  Peppermint Swirl Marshmallow

Sold separately or aside your own blend of hot cocoa mix, these festive peppermint marshmallows would add a pop of color to your shelf when packaged in clear candy bags. Click here to view recipe.

Photo credit: Water’s Edge Chocolates

3.  White Chocolate Peppermint Marshmallow Pops

RCI member, Water’s Edge Chocolates of Tullahoma, Tennessee, dips their marshmallows in white chocolate and tops with crushed peppermint before adding a lollipop stick and a matching red ribbon. These would make great stocking stuffers, as well as a festive addition to a holiday gift basket.

Photo credit: Hilliard’s Chocolates

4.  Peppermint Bark Fudge

If your customers love peppermint bark, they’re going to have to add a new favorite to their Christmas list! RCI member Hilliard’s Chocolate of North Easton, Massachusetts transforms the family’s original fudge recipe with an added layer of their own “Oprah’s favorite” peppermint bark on top.

Photo credit: Finding Zest

5.  Candy Cane Rudolph Pops

Could Rudolph get any cuter? We don’t think so! These darling Rudolph pops are so easy, with the right supplies, you could whip up a big batch in a flash or package as a kit for families to take and make at home. If you’re hosting a holiday open house, this could be an easy and inexpensive activity for kids to make in your shop. Click here for a past blog post featuring pro-tips from an RCI member for hosting a similar event (except for Easter) in your shop.

Photo credit: Cacao & Cardamom

6.  Peppermint Bark Mendiants

For an upscale spin on peppermint bark, create peppermint bark mendiants. Mendiants are a French confection consisting of a chocolate disk traditionally studded with nuts and dried fruits. In this example, Cacao & Cardamon features layers of dark and white chocolate topped with peppermint pieces and mini marshmallows.

Photo credit: Marie’s Candies

7.  Peppermint Crunch Oreos

RCI member Marie’s Candies of West Liberty, Ohio puts their own sweet spin on chocolate-covered Oreos^®. A seasonal treat only made for Christmas, these mini-Oreos are covered with sweet white coating and crunchy peppermint dust.

Photo credit: Cooking Classy

8.  Candy Cane Bark Popcorn

Save the plain popcorn for decorating the Christmas tree! Give out samples of candy-sweet popcorn bark to your guests and watch it pop off the shelf! Click here for more details.

Photo credit: Mrs Prindables

9.  Peppermint and Caramel Chocolate-Covered Pretzels

While adding crushed peppermint to chocolate-covered pretzels is not exactly a new revelation, throwing caramel into the mix may be. Mrs Prindables, known for their caramel apples, dips pretzel rods in their signature caramel and, again, in white chocolate before sprinkling with peppermint pieces. We think it’s worth a try!

Photo credit: Sprinkle Some Sunshine, Oh!Nuts, Home & Hallow

10.  Candy Cane Sweetheart Pops

With a box of candy canes, a lollipop stick and a bit of added heat, mould candy canes into hearts to frame your favorite holiday bark or dark chocolate. Plus, with the right color ribbon, this could easily double as a Valentine treat and a good way to use up leftover candy canes.

While National Candy Cane Day is the day after Christmas (December 26), we hope this week’s post inspires you to celebrate the candy cane all month long!

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 in 2022 one-third of small businesses (27%) don’t have a website, however, most (86%) plan to build one in the next few years. 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.

In a survey by Top Design Firms, small business owners identified the most important benefits of having a website as the ability to make purchases online (20%), showcase their products and services (20%), be found in search results (16%), and establish credibility in their industry (14%). 

Looking to create your own e-commerce website? RCI members have recommended Ecwid as a user-friendly option to add an online store to any site—with free and paid versions available.

Mobile

Did you know over 50% of all e-commerce purchases were made on smartphones during the 2022 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.

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Best of Christmas: Top Christmas Posts from the RCI Blog

 

This “most wonderful time of the year” will be here before we know it! We’re sharing a holiday-inspired compilation of tips and inspiration to help make this holiday season your merriest yet! 

Stand Out with Instagram-Worthy Holiday Treats

How Instagram-worthy are your holiday treats? Social media, like Instagram and Facebook, have proven to be effective tools for reaching consumers, however if A.) you’re not sharing photos of your products on your social media sites daily or B.) they don’t stand out from other holiday gifts, you could be missing out on a massive opportunity to gain new customers this season. Click here to snag creative ideas to transform some of your potentially existing treats (like chocolate-covered cookies and rice cereal treats) into new holiday favorites.

How to Create Your Own Holiday Gift Guide

Holiday gift guides are a visual and trendy way to promote your popular holiday items both online and in your retail store. According to a recent survey by Dynata for Redpoint Global, “nearly two-thirds of the 1,000 adult shoppers surveyed (62%), planned to do all their holiday shopping online.”

If you think you have to hire a graphic designer to create a professional gift guide, think again! In this blog post, we’ve also shared one of our favorite resources that requires zero design experience and comes with a FREE subscription option. Read more.

How to Sell More Stocking Stuffers

With gentle nudging, you can help ensure stockings (and your bottom line) overflow with sweetness this holiday season! Stockings stuffers are the ultimate impulse purchase, representing the opportunity to add a few extra dollars to in-store and online purchases. In post, we explore two key components that make for great stocking stuffers and how to increase sales with effective marketing and merchandising. Read more.

5 Quick & Easy Treats to Add to your Stocking Stuffer Display

Add extra dollars to in-store and online purchases by selling more stocking stuffers this holiday season. Above, we shared how to sell more stocking stuffers by identifying products that meet two key components. Next up, we’ve got five quick and easy ideas for products to beef up your stocking stuffer display. Read more.

We hope that these posts have inspired you to get creative this holiday season and make it one to remember.

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.

How to Make a Very Merry Christmas Truffle Tree

 

While truffles make for a sweet holiday gift, a stunning truffle tree is sure to make any Christmas celebration unforgettable! This week, we’re sharing steps to make your own truffle tree from RCI member, Annedore's Fine Chocolates, plus inspiration for creating a very merry holiday showpiece.

For ease of construction, undipped ganache balls may be stored in the freezer. Simply follow the instructions below for thawing and dipping the ganache balls and you are ready to build a tree on demand.

Materials Needed

• Truffles
• Silicone mats
• Plastic wrap
• Foam block
• Parchment paper or aluminum foil (optional)
• Round toothpicks
• Tempered chocolate
• Foam cone
• Wrapping paper or fabric (preferably coordinating with the color of your truffles)
• Flathead pins
• Scissors
• Ribbon or tree topper (optional)

Step-By-Step Instructions

Prepare truffle centers using your favorite ganache recipe. Pipe ganache onto silicone mats. Cover the mats with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 12 hours. Transfer mats to the freezer for 12 hours. Remove mats from the freezer and pop out ganache balls (Note: Ganache centers may be returned to the freezer for future use). Cover balls with plastic wrap and allow them to come to room temperature.

Cover a foam block with parchment paper or aluminum foil, so it can be reused. Adhere a toothpick into each ganache ball by dipping one end of the toothpick into tempered chocolate and then inserting that end into the center of the flat side of the ganache ball. Allow toothpick to set up firmly in the ganache ball.

Once the toothpick is firmly set in the ganache ball you are ready to dip each ganache ball in tempered chocolate. Dip each ball carefully and then insert tooth-picked end of the ball into the block of foam. This will allow for perfect-looking, uniform truffles to create your truffle tree. Allow chocolate to set up. Truffles may be decorated while standing in the block of foam.

Before you begin to build your tree, first, wrap the foam cone completely with wrapping paper or fabric – secure with flathead pins, as needed.

Beginning at the bottom of the cone, push the tooth-picked truffles into the cone working your way around the cone to create the first row. On the second row, stagger the truffles by placing them in the open spaces created by the first row. Carefully work your way up the cone row by row until the entire cone is covered in truffles. Toothpicks may need to be cut as you reach the top of the cone. 

Christmas Truffle Tree Inspiration

While this truffle tree can be made to celebrate any number of holidays and celebrations, here’s some inspiration to make your truffle tree extra festive this Christmas.

Photo credit: Woman’s Day

Gingerbread Truffle Tree

The addition of gingerbread royal icing decorations, colorful non-pareils and foil balls make this truffle tree especially festive.

Photo credit: Sonata Home Design

Berries & Bows

This Christmas truffle tree is understated and elegant with bright, red cranberries and a big wire bow as embellishments.

Photo credit: Pinterest

Chocolate Roses

We love how this truffle tree is adorned with hand-sculpted chocolate roses.

 

Photo credit: Taste.com/au

White Christmas

The use of white sprinkles, silver sprinkles and desiccated coconut helps achieve this dreamy white Christmas themed truffle tree.

A truffle tree is an eye-catching way for your customers to serve truffles to a large group, in addition to an impressive merchandising display for your retail shop. It is a big-ticket item that can add nice revenue to your store’s sales. With a little advance planning, building the tree can be relatively easy to execute.

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.