James Candy

It is without a doubt that everyone likes candy, no matter what background or belief they may have. From chocolates to mints to fudge, kosher candy is booming in demand and candy makers everywhere are trying to handle the upswing! To put a ball park number on the amount of people who follow the Jewish religion where they have food regulations (acceptable food must be kosher), is just over 5 million. That number comes from Pew Research Center and that’s a lot of people!

It’s common for those who follow the Jewish religion to also abide by guidelines that regulate their diets and is described in the Torah. This means that diets are much stricter than others and finding kosher products can pose some challenges especially if it comes to specialty candies. However, kosher candy is becoming more in demand and is starting to be found at various candy shops with huge selections! An article featured in Bloomberg Businessweek reported that the kosher retail market represents more than $13 billion in annual sales.

Accommodating this market boom is beneficial to those who follow kosher diets and also beneficial to candy shops because they can better serve their customers. The desire for more kosher products grows and grows everyday which is why candy makers are listening to produce delicious kosher candy for all to enjoy! Those who follow kosher diets don’t have to miss out on the great tastes of candy like chocolate, fudge, salt water taffy and more because they can now find them with kosher labels.

Whenever you see a candy bowl, what’s it filled with? Chocolate kisses, caramel candies, butter mints or some other quick pick-me-up? Either way, you’ve probably scored a few little treats here or there from them as they just have a gravitational pull we just cannot resist. No matter what it’s filled with, one certain candy is an all-time favorite at diners, secretary desks and even that little candy dish on your coffee table: butter mints! Butter mints have that unique mixture of a fresh mint taste with the smoothness of butter that just melts in your mouth.

Traditionally, butter mints are considered the perfect after-dinner mint as they don’t give you an overpowering minty burst but give you that savory dessert like sweet in your mouth after a hearty meal. Perhaps this is why many diners have a dish filled with butter mints ready for you when you are about to leave. However, butter mints aren’t just after dinner treats – they can be eaten any time of the day, especially if you need to wake up your taste buds during that mid-afternoon feeling at work.

Stop Sugar Cravings

Candy bowls at your house and office are great for those quick taste bud perks every now and then. But all those now and then snacks can add up to an incredible amount of calories if your bowl is filled with rich candies. You could be trying to satisfy your sweet tooth but making sure you monitor how much and what you eat is important. If butter mints are not in your candy bowl, consider popping them in! They can instantly satisfy your sweet tooth and give you that buttery, savory taste. They can curb your sugar cravings and keep you going guilt-free!

Are you looking for a delicious dessert that will make your taste buds go wild? Are you looking for a dessert that will impress your friends and family? If you answered YES to those two questions, than this chewy coconut cupcake recipe is for you! Too many times we are subjected to the same desserts at every holiday party we attend, and not that they aren’t tasty, it’s just that you want something different than a pumpkin or apple pie. In order to break the mold, it’s time to express your inner baker and craft a chewy coconut cupcake that will have everyone raving! All you need is a simple coconut cupcake recipe and the best macaroons around.

What you need:

3 sticks unsalted butter

2 cups of sugar

5 extra-large eggs

1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla extract and almond extract

3 cups of flour

1 teaspoon of baking powder

1/2 teaspoon of baking soda

1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt

1 cup of buttermilk

14 ounces of shredded coconut

Coconut frosting

Macaroon cookies

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 325oF. With the use of an electric mixer with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar on high speed for about 5 minutes until it is light and fluffy.

With the mixer on low speed, add the eggs one at a time and combine the vanilla and almond extract.

In small bowl, sift together salt, baking soda, flour and baking powder. Begin making the batter by alternatively adding in the dry ingredients with the buttermilk in 3 part intervals. Mix until everything is combined and then fold in half of the shredded coconut.

Place paper liners into muffin pan and begin filling. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes or until the tops are golden brown. Allow the cupcakes to cool for 15 minutes in the pan before removing to cool completely.

Dab each cupcake with a dime-sized amount of frosting to creating a binding agent for the macaroon cookie. Then frost the remaining tops of the cupcakes/macaroons.

Anytime you think of Atlantic City, NJ you may think of it as the East Coasts’ version of Las Vegas. Atlantic City is notorious for their extravagant casinos that draw in millions of people each year to press their luck at some winnings.

While AC is known for quite a few things, did you know it’s the original birth place of Jersey Shore salt water taffy? Rumor has it that salt water taffy was invented in the 1880s when a storm flooded a candy stand. The salt water from the ocean covered a batch of taffy and it instantly became a hit!

Salt water taffy has historical meaning for the Jersey Shore because all those who flock to the beaches can always remember their first piece of the treat. The candy is so popular that people from all over the country will do anything to get their hands on it! It’s become a staple on every boardwalk at the shore and beach goers absolutely love all the variety. Salt water taffy is unique in the way that it can have so many different flavor profiles. From spiced cinnamon to banana to chocolate, this candy can satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth!

Since it’s that time of the year to show off your cooking finesse, you can please all your guests with this delicious nutty chocolate bark recipe. This is a perfect dessert even if you aren’t a Betty Crocker in the kitchen because it requires little work to get it all done! Plus, you can make this nutty chocolate bark with your favorite ingredients because it’s a versatile dessert.

What you need:

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips OR 1 (16oz) semi-sweet chocolate bar broken into peices

3/4 cup candied pecans, coarsely chopped

1/2 cup honey roasted peanuts, coarsely chopped

1/4 cup dried tart cherries

1/4 cup dried mulberries

Pinch of salt

Instructions:

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Melt the chocolate over the stove top until it is silky smooth.

Remove the chocolate off the heat and begin to mix in half of the pecans, peanuts, mulberries and cherries.

Pour the chocolate mixture on the baking sheet and spread the chocolate to a thickness around 1/4 inch.

Sprinkle the remaining candied pecans, peanuts and berries directly on top of the chocolate. Gently press them into the bark so they stick. Use a pinch of salt to dust the top.

Place the chocolate bark in the fridge for about 2 hours before serving. Slide it onto a cutting board and cut or break the bark into pieces. BONUS: If you want to add a chocolate or peanut butter syrup drizzle, apply the drizzle about half way through the cooling process for a cool design.

Enjoy!

We’ve seen those boxes all over the grocery store that title themselves ‘fudge brownie mix’ and while they may taste good, there isn’t any fudge in them at all! That can be kind of disappointing to die hard fudge eaters so here is a recipe that will incorporate REAL chocolate fudge into your brownie mix. To note, this recipe is super simple and will taste like it took you hours to make it. Just keep that secret between you and the box because no one will know!

What you need:

1 box of regular brownie mix

2 eggs

1/2 cup butter, melted

1 cup of fudge, cut into small cubes (your choice of flavor: chocolate, vanilla, etc)

1/4 cup of coffee, strongly brewed

1 can of sweetened condensed milk

Optional: If you want a little crunch in your brownies, consider using chocolate walnut fudge

Instructions:

Heat over to 350oF and coat a 13x9 pan with non-stick cooking spray.

In a large bowl, stir together brownie mix, eggs, butter and coffee until it is blended well.

Pour mixture into pan and place the small cubes of fudge evenly on top.

Bake in oven for 30 to 40 minutes or until the toothpick method works (insert a toothpick 2 inches away from the side of the pan. If it comes out almost clean, remove from oven).

Remove pan from oven and let the brownies cool for 35 minutes before serving.

Serve warm with whipped topping or ice cream!

Enjoy!

Craving chocolate? You may be now since you read the word. Chocolate is a powerful word because it’s associated with the taste treat that many people enjoy every day. Did you know that just in the United States, chocolate manufactures use approximately 3.5 million pounds of whole milk daily to make milk chocolate! Let’s face it, chocolate is a superfood and just one chocolate chip can give you enough energy to walk 150 feet. While your mouth may be watering now, here are some cool and interesting facts about chocolate:

Health Benefits

Eating dark chocolate helps widen arteries and promotes healthy blood flow. The smell of chocolate increases the brain waves that help us relax, so sniff away! During a nine year Swedish study, 31,000 women who ate one or two servings of dark chocolate each week reduced their risk of heart failure by a third! That sweet little treat may be a life saver!

Huge Variety

One of the biggest benefits from chocolate is the large amount of ways you can eat it! From chocolate milk to chocolate fudge, this superfood has more food combinations than practically anything else in the world! You can find thousands, if not millions, of recipes that call for some form of chocolate just by a simple google search. The options are limitless when it comes to consuming chocolate. What’s your favorite? Cookies…candy bars…chocolate syrup?

The Perfect Gift

Have you ever noticed or thought about why chocolate is given in a heart-shaped boxed during Valentine’s Day? The tradition of displaying love and affection through chocolate is believed to be due to chocolates aphrodisiac properties. However, some argue it was a marking ploy to promote a sweet treat during the Christmas holiday and Easter. Either way, it’s a tasty and delicious gift!