Quick Tip: No pre-bottomer? Try this!

 

No pre-bottomer? No problem! With RCI Chocolate Boot Camp course taking place this week, we’re sharing a quick and easy solution, demonstrated by one of our instructors, Joe Sofia with Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate, for candy makers who do not have a pre-bottomer on their enrober.

This handy tip uses chocolate wafers as the pre-bottom for, in this case, moulded peanut butter meltaways. Joe explained, "When you pop the meltaways out of the mould, they are ready for full enrobing since the wafer will adhere to the meltaway." Joe also added that it's important to apply the chocolate wafer while the center is still liquid so the two stick together.

For this demonstration, a 22-millimeter silicon dome mould from Truffly Made was a perfect fit when using a standard chocolate wafer as the base.

If you’re interested in more insider tips like this, consider attending RCI’s Truffles + More course August 12-14, 2024 in Erie, Pennsylvania. Save the date and stay tuned for more details coming soon at retailconfectioners.org/events.

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Irish Potato Candy for St. Patrick’s Day

This may come as a surprise, but Irish potato candy did not originate in Ireland, nor does it typically contain potato. These miniature potato wannabes are often made with cream cheese or a coconut-flavored cream filling moulded into the size of a small potato and rolled in cinnamon and/or cocoa, giving the illusion of a dirty potato.

Despite any likely link to Ireland, these deceiving little candies can help create interest within your customer base and social media followers, while being relatively easy for many candy makers to incorporate into their product line leading up to St. Patrick’s Day on March 17. 

Check out this video to see how RCI member Marie’s Candies makes Irish potato candy.

Interested in trying your hand at making these sweet "potatoes?" Try the following recipe for Irish Potato Candy courtesy of Peter’s Chocolate^® by Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate.

Photo credit: Peter’s Chocolate^®/Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate

Irish Potato Candy

• 44 oz. Peter’s^® White Icecap® Confectionery Coating
• 12.5 oz. Irish cream liqueur
• 2.5 oz. corn syrup
• 2 oz. each powdered sugar, cinnamon and cocoa powder

Blend together powdered sugar, cinnamon and cocoa powder. Set aside. Melt white confectionery coating to 100°F. Heat Irish cream and corn syrup together to 90 F. Whisk melted coating into cream/corn syrup mixture until well mixed. Allow to cool to room temperature. Portion with a #70 scoop and roll into potato shapes. Immediately roll into powder mixture. Yield: Approximately 72 pieces

There are lots of different ways to put your own spin on Irish potato candy. Click here for inspiration from RCI members in a past RCI Blog post. 

Spread the luck o’ the Irish this St. Patrick’s Day by sharing these humble, but tasty spuds with your customers.  

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 Super Simple Valentine’s Day Gifts for Kids & Teens

We all know Valentine’s Day isn’t all about romance. Many shoppers will also be looking for gift ideas for the kids in their life, which is why we’re sharing inspiration for fun and easy gift ideas that are sure to make any kiddo feel the love this Valentine’s Day.

Photo credit: Nandy’s Candy

Valentine Bento Box

The perfect gift for young friends, teens and candy lovers this Valentine’s Day! RCI member Nandy’s Candy fills stock Valentine boxes with an assortment of individually wrapped treats, such as chocolate-covered sandwich cookies and foil-wrapped chocolates, but also small heat-sealed bags of conversation hearts, gummies and hard candies come together as a small sampler of treats. 

Photo credit: Water’s Edge Chocolates

Chocolate Tic-Tac Toe

Win shoppers’ hearts with this clever chocolate tic-tac-toe board! RCI member Water’s Edge Chocolates has transformed a chocolate-covered graham cracker into a miniature tic-tac-toe board, packaged with chocolate heart pieces and a cute, coordinating gift tag. This concept could also be applied to square chocolate bars or chocolate-covered crispy rice treats as the board, while conversation hearts or jelly beans could also be used for the game pieces.

Photo credit: Reids Chocolate

Chocolate Grams

Make it easy for families with kids to show their love by creating ready-to-gift valentines with the chocolate already included. Create and print your own custom Valentines on card stock before attaching your chocolate lollipops. Not only will these generate interest in store and on social media, they also add value for many busy families. RCI member Reids Chocolate sells assorted styles of their “Choc-o-Grams” individually or as a 4-pack. For ease, it is noted for online customers that assorted styles are selected at random.

Photo credit: Marie’s Candies

Chocolate Heart Necklace

This chocolate heart necklace is just about as simple as it is sweet! RCI member Marie’s Candies carefully crafts these necklaces out of two foiled chocolate hearts (back to back) and a festive ribbon to be sold separately or added to Valentine bundles for kids. What little one wouldn’t love to wear this necklace with pride…even if it doesn’t last very long?!

Photo credit: HGTV

Chocolate-Dipped Fortune Cookies

There’s something fun and nostalgic about opening up a fortune cookie as a child. For something unexpected dip fortune cookies in chocolate and package them in a cute take-out container, which can be found at most craft shops.

Consumers with kids in their life are sure to fall in love with these adorable treats this Valentine's Day! Make sure to share plenty of photos of your Valentine’s Day treats on social media and your e-commerce site for greater exposure and sales potential. If you plan to make a small batch of these fun treats, let consumers know they’re available for a limited-time only in your social media posts and your online store. This will cover you if you do sell out (we hope you do!) and also encourage shoppers to buy by creating a sense of urgency. Make note of the quantities you made and sold to help determine whether to bring them back this time next 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.