Search Results for: dark chocolate
Sponge Candy
Sponge Candy by Stefanelli’s Candies Erie, PA
Sponge candy is one of our incredible discoveries brought to us by a customer recommendation. It’s made from sea foam toffee covered in rich milk or dark chocolate that just melts in your mouth. The premium variety of sponge candy has been made with love by Stefanelli’s Candies Erie, PA since 1929. But we are now proud to offer it to you! But be careful, sponge candy is addictive!
Heggy’s French Mints
DescriptionHeggy’s French Mints A dark chocolate peppermint flavored, melt in your mouth, center. Square in shape and covered with pink pastel coating. A very popular seller!!
History
Heggy’s Candy Company has built a rich tradition of premium hand crafted chocolates and candies throughout the United States for over 9 decades. Founded by Ben Heggy in 1923, Heggy’s remains one of the premiere candy companies in America. Over the years, Heggy’s has remained a family owned and operated business and today they maintain a high level of commitment to their customers and the community. While the art of handcrafting quality candies and chocolates has been discarded by most candy producers, Heggy’s has withstood the test of time. They still use the care and patience necessary for Heggy’s unique savory taste. Heggy’s has built a devoted following of candy lovers in the US over the years, and recently expanded to bring that same exquisite flavor to you via the Internet. Shisler’s Cheese House is proud carrier of these delicious chocolates.
Heggy’s Assortment
Heggy’s Chocolates Assortment: The Best of All Heggy’s Candies
Shisler’s Cheese House has been in existence for over fifty years. We spent thirty of them trying to get local distribution rights for Heggy’s Candy and Chocolates. They are one of the few candy companies that match our tradition of excellence, and because of that, they have always had a strict distribution strategy. So we had to wait until a local competitor retired to get the distribution rights in our area. In the ten-year partnership we have built with Heggy’s Candy and Chocolates, we have become their second largest distributor. Now we are shooting for number one. Thanks to the world wide web, now you can enjoy Heggy’s Fine Chocolates and help us to achieve that goal.
History of The Famous Heggy’s Candy Company
Heggy’s Candy Company has built a rich tradition of premium hand-crafted chocolates and candies throughout the United States for over 9 decades. Founded by Ben Heggy in 1923, Heggy’s Candy remains one of the premiere candy companies in America. Over the years, Heggy’s delicious Chocolates and candies have remained a family-owned and operated business and today they maintain a high level of commitment to their customers and the community. While the art of handcrafting quality candies and chocolates has been discarded by most candy producers, Heggy’s amazing Chocolates have withstood the test of time. They still use the care and patience necessary for their unique savory taste. Heggy’s Chocolate has built a devoted following of candy lovers in the US over the years, and we at Shisler’s can now deliver them right to your doorstep.
Heggy’s Assortment Includes:
- Heggy’s Crunch
- Heggy’s Butter Creams
- Heggy’s Maple Walnut Creams
- Heggy’s Peanut Clusters
- Heggy’s Peppermint Creams
- Heggy’s Brownie Creams
- Heggy’s Jersey Creams
- Heggy’s Vanilla Creams
- Heggy’s Coconut Creams
- Heggy’s Nut Crisp
- Heggy’s Peanut Butter
- Heggy’s Chocolate Coated Caramels
- Heggy’s Haystack
- Heggy’s Chocolate Coated Peanuts
- Heggy’s Chocolate Coated Raisins
- Heggy’s Cherry Creams
- Heggy’s Marshmallows
- Heggy’s Red Raspberry
- Heggy’s Lemon Creams
- Heggy’s Dark Chocolate Butter Creams
- Heggy’s Dark Chocolate Maple Walnut Creams
- Heggy’s Dark Chocolate Peanut Clusters
- Heggy’s Dark Chocolate Peppermint Creams
- Heggy’s Dark Chocolate Brownie Creams
- Heggy’s Dark Chocolate Jersey Creams
- Heggy’s Dark Chocolate Vanilla Creams
- Heggy’s Dark Chocolate Coconut Creams
- Heggy’s Dark Chocolate Coated Caramels
- Heggy’s Dark Chocolate Coated Peanuts
- Heggy’s Dark Chocolate Cherry Creams
- Heggy’s Dark Chocolate Marshmallows
- Heggy’s Dark Chocolate Red Raspberry
- Heggy’s Dark Chocolate Lemon Creams
- Heggy’s Butterscotch Caramels
- Heggy’s Walnut Caramels
- Heggy’s Plain Vanilla Caramels
How To Create a Christmas Sweet Treat Table
How To Create a Christmas Sweet Treat Table
Transform your celebration into a magical experience with a Christmas sweet treat table showcasing the season’s finest flavors.
This table will captivate your guests, from indulgent chocolates to sugar-free delights, offering something for every taste. Here’s your ultimate guide to crafting a dessert spread featuring Heggy’s signature confections and creative tips to elevate the presentation.
Choose the Star Treats
Your sweet table’s charm lies in the selection of irresistible treats. For a balanced mix, include:
- Chocolate buckeyes: These peanut butter and chocolate delights are a classic crowd-pleaser.
- Heggy’s haystacks: A crunchy, sweet-salty combination of pretzels coated in creamy chocolate.
- Heggy’s milk chocolate brownie creams: Luxuriously rich and perfect for brownie lovers.
- Heggy’s chocolate-covered raspberry creams: A fruity twist wrapped in decadent chocolate.
- Heggy’s milk chocolate peanut clusters: Nutty, crunchy, and satisfyingly sweet.
- Sugar-free mint meltaways: Guilt-free treats with a refreshing minty flavor.
- Sugar-free chocolate caramels: A chewy, indulgent delight minus the sugar.
- Heggy’s walnut caramels: A perfect addition for texture and flavor variety.
Plan the Presentation
A well-curated layout makes your table a visual and gastronomic delight. Here’s how to arrange it:
1. Choose a theme
Go for a festive theme, like “Winter Wonderland” with snow-white accents, or “Traditional Christmas” featuring reds, greens, and gold. Use themed tablecloths, runners, or garlands to set the tone.
2. Vary heights and layers
Use cake stands, tiered platters, and decorative bowls to create levels. This not only adds visual interest but also makes the treats more accessible.
3. Divide and conquer
Group similar items together for easy navigation. Arrange chocolates, sugar-free options, and nuts in distinct sections with labeled name cards for an elegant touch.
Add Extra Festive Flair
Add in decorative elements to tie the look together:
- Twinkling lights: String fairy lights around the table for a magical glow.
- Seasonal greenery: Add sprigs of pine, holly, or rosemary to bring natural warmth.
- Edible decorations: Use candy canes, gingerbread cookies, or chocolate ornaments to accent the table.
Sweet Pairings
Complement your treats with beverages like hot cocoa, coffee, or spiced cider. Think about creating a mini drink station beside the table for added convenience.
Accommodate Dietary Needs
Adding sugar-free options makes sure no one feels left out. Clearly label these items to guide guests with dietary preferences or restrictions.
Encourage Takeaways
Provide festive goodie bags so guests can take a piece of the magic home. Add personalized tags so that everyone feels special.
Final Touches
Before the party, make sure everything is neatly arranged and fresh. Refill empty spaces as guests enjoy the treats to keep the table looking inviting.
With a touch of creativity and the delicious charm of our confections, your Christmas sweet treat table will become the highlight of the holiday celebration. Let this joyful spread bring smiles, sweet memories, and festive cheer to your home!
Happy Halloween from us!
Happy Halloween to all of our wonderfully ghostly customers! We hope you have a very spooky day indeed. We’ve put together a few of our favorite ideas for making Halloween fun.
1. Carving Pumpkins
Of course, pumpkin carving is the classic decoration for Halloween. We absolutely love to make our own designs! Traditional faces are easy to carve, but there are so many online tutorials that can help you to create intricate designs that are sure to impress trick or treaters! Do remember to be careful of any open flames when the pumpkins are lit and to keep the pumpkins away from places where people could injure themselves.
Make sure that you don’t waste the actual pumpkin flesh. It’s delicious roasted as a side dish or cooked into a warming soup for cold evenings. Try using a cookie cutter to cut bread shapes such as ghosts or bats for a fun addition to your soup. You can even roast the seeds with different flavors like salt, chilli, or caramel for a quick crunchy snack. Why not try a pumpkin mac and cheese to warm you up?
2. Spooky Baking
We love to get into the kitchen and create something delicious for Halloween!
Spider Cookies
This recipe is lots of fun to make. Get the whole family involved to create a fantastic treat. Use your favorite cookie recipe or even pre-bought dough to make a big batch of cookies. Melt white chocolate and use it to pipe a web onto the cookies. The easiest way to do this is to pipe on concentric circles and then use a cocktail stick to pull the circles into a web shape. Leave this to set. Then melt milk chocolate and pipe on your creepy spiders. You could even add icing eyes or create your own using candy.
Witch’s Hats
Cut puff pastry or pre-made crescent rolls into the shape of witch’s hats. Decorate with a strip of Colby cheese as a ribbon. You could even use sweet or savory filling to make them into pies. Try pumpkin, cream cheese or melted chocolate for fun seasonal flavors.
3. Decorations
If you want to make sure that trick or treaters visit you, then some decorations will send the message that you are happy to meet them. Of course, your pumpkins will light the way but there are some other ways that you can decorate your home.
Floating witch’s hats
Use fishing line to hang witch’s hats in your porch for a fun decoration that can be seen by your neighbors. You could even use battery powered fairy lights or glow sticks to make them light up so that they can be seen at night. Make sure that they are hung up high so that no-one walks into them!
A Halloween tree
You can now find artificial Christmas trees in a huge range of colors, including black and white. Pick one of these up and decorate it as a Halloween tree. There are lots of spooky ornaments available in the shops and online. Add some cobwebs, skulls, and spiders for a truly creepy tree. You can even get orange tinsel or pull out any dark colored Christmas decorations to add some extra sparkle.
How are you celebrating Halloween? Let us know in the comments below! Have a spooky day!
Try a New Tea In Our New Mug
To celebrate the release of our new mug, we wanted to give you a list of tea to try that you might enjoy drinking from it!
Black teas
When you think of tea, you are probably thinking of a cup of English Breakfast. This is a black tea, which means that the leaves have been oxidised resulting in a dark color and a stronger flavor.
Did you know that black, green and white tea all come from the same plant, the Camellia sinensis? How the leaves are treated creates the different colors and flavors of the tea. There are also some variations based on the climate and soil in which the tea is grown.
Black teas include Assam, the most widely produced variety, Darjeeling, and Ceylon. Darjeeling has a very mild, fruity flavor and is grown in India. Ceylon, grown in Sri Lanka, is also light and will vary in flavor depending on the altitude at which it is grown.
Some black teas, such as chai and Earl Grey, have flavors added to them. Chai includes spices such as cardamom and cinnamon, whilst Earl Grey has bergamot oil which imparts a citrus taste.
Green teas
These leaves do not undergo the same drying and oxidization as black tea, leaving them fresh and green. It is sometimes slightly bitter in flavor.
To brew excellent green tea, the water should be left to come off the boil to avoid scalding the leaves. Sencha has the whole leaves, whilst matcha has been powered to produce a different effect. Again, some green teas have flavors added to them.
White teas
The lightest of the drinks from the Camellia sinensis, white tea features young, minimally processed leaves. They are often simply left to wilt in the sun and are not rolled or oxidized. The resulting drink is extremely light and delicate, with a natural sweetness.
Herbal teas
There are now herbal drinks in every flavor you can think of. Some have health benefits from their active ingredients, whilst others will simply offer a fruity alternative to your usual drink. These are particularly good options if you are trying to cut down on your caffeine intake, as many of them will be naturally caffeine free.
Hot chocolate
Of course, some of you might not be tea lovers. For you, we recommend checking out our top tips for making a great hot chocolate. Whether it’s choosing great toppings or adding a little extra flavor, we’ve got all the ideas you need to make a cozy evening at home even better.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our quick foray into different types of tea. Rest assured, if coffee is more your thing then that’s great too! We even stock the delicious REACH coffee right here in the store. Our mug is designed to show your pride in shopping here at Shisler’s Cheese House and even comes with some Heggy’s Chocolates for you to enjoy as you sip on your latest teas.
What’s your favorite tea? Let us know in the comments!
Fleur de Sel Soft Caramels
Salt is becoming more popular by the day to accompany chocolate, sugar, and cream in delicious desserts. This is because salt gives a huge burst of flavor like no other, be it in a sweet or savory dish. In this particular dessert, salt is a delightful counterpoint to rich and sweet caramel which helps it all tie into a mouthwatering symphony of flavors and textures, not to mention the chocolate.
Just before you go ahead and attempt this recipe, just be aware, for those who haven’t made caramels before, the sugar base becomes very hot and will boil vigorously when you add the cream to the mix, so be sure to use a deep pan to prevent spills and burns.
Recipe
What You Need
1 cup whipping cream
5 tbsps. salted butter
1 Tsp. fleur de sel
1 3/4 cup + 2 Tbsps. granulated sugar
1/4 cup corn syrup
1/3 cup water
1 Tsp. fresh lemon juice
Tempered dark or milk chocolate for enrobing
What To Do
Firstly, line a square pan with plastic wrap.
Mix together the butter, whipping cream and fleur de sel in a pan and bring them all to a boil. Once brought to a boil remove the pan from the heat and set the mixture aside.
In another pan, mix together the corn syrup, water, and sugar. Cook the mixture on high heat, do not stir and heat until the temperature is 360F or until it turns a dark caramel color. It usually takes around 5-10 minutes for this change to occur depending on what kind of stove and pan you are using.
Once done, remove the pan from the heat and stir the cream mixture in with a long handled spoon. Be sure to approach this with caution and this part is where the mixture can splatter on you. Now put the pan back on high heat and cook it, being sure to stir it constantly until the temperature reaches 250F. Now remove from heat and add lemon juice while stirring it in well.
Pour the mixture into a new pan and let it sit overnight.
Once it is set, take the caramel from the pan and peel off the plastic wrap. Cut the caramel into the desired shapes you want and place the caramels on a tray lined with parchment paper.
Holding the caramels with a fork, dip the caramels into tempered chocolate and place them onto another tray lined with a silicone mat.
When the chocolate is still wet, sprinkle a few grains of fleur de sel and let the caramels set for about 4 hours and then store them in an airtight container, in a cool, dry place for up to 3 weeks.
Delicious Belgian Cheese
Belgium is not only famous for its rich chocolate but its fabulous cheese as well. Although Belgium is a small country, it makes over 300 different varieties of cheese, almost the same amount as France! The reason Belgium cheeses aren’t as well known as other European countries is that they produce very small amounts of the cheese and very rarely export them out of the country.
You could say that the cheese in Belgium are exclusive and if you are lucky enough to be able to visit Belgium or your local cheese store has a few samples, here is a list of the best cheeses Belgium has to offer:
Herve
The name of this cheese comes directly from the town in which it is made. Herve is one of the most popular cheeses of Belgium, is made from cow’s milk cheese, it comes in the shape of a brick with a reddish brown coating which is formed by bacteria during the aging period. Quite often, Herve is described as similar to Limburger as it has a pale yellow, soft interior and a strong smell to it. The cheese is quite sweet when it is young but as it ages, the flavor deepens, becoming quite spicy. A good pairing would be beers and dark bread.
Beauvoorde
The style of this cheese is quite traditional despite it being newer to the Belgium cheese market. This creamy cheese was made by an innkeeper in from Beauvoorde Village, in the 1990s. It is a semi-hard cheese made from cow’s milk with a hexagonal shape and a natural gray rind around it. The flavors are mild with a spicy aroma. It will make good for a cheese plate or a simple sandwich cheese.
Limburger
Even though Limburger is readily made and available in the United States, this stinky, legendary cheese actually comes from Belgium originally. This pungent cheese is made from cow’s milk and has a soft, yellow interior. Despite having notes of sweetness, Limburger is quite meaty and spicy. On the outside, the texture is smooth and sticky, ranging in color from reddish-brown to yellow, it also has corrugated ridges. Although Limburger is an acquired taste, it is definitely a must try as the full flavor might definitely win you over.
Brusselse Kaas
This soft cow’s milk cheese is also known as Fromage de Bruxelles. The creation of this cheese is somewhat unique, with it being repeatedly washed and dried during the maturation period of 3 months. In result of this, it has a very smooth texture with a sharp flavor. The shape is often round because of the tubs the cheese is placed in. It can be a great snacking cheese or good for spreading on bread.
Rubens
There is no better way to honor a famous artist than to name a delicious cheese after them. That artist is the Flemish painter Peter Paul Rubens, the most popular painter in 17th century Europe. The cheese is made into small rounds with a reddish brown rind encasing it.
Passendale
The name of this cheese comes from the village of Passchendaele. It is a semi-soft cow’s milk cheese which resembles a load of bread with a hard, edible brown rind. One of Belgium’s best-known cheeses, the texture is smooth and fresh with dotted holes in the interior with a mild flavor.
Maredsous
This soft cow’s milk cheese is traditionally made by monks, originating from the Maredsous Abbey in Belgium. Being served as a table cheese frequently, the loaf shaped cheese has a bright orange color which is washed with brine and lightly pressed.
Prince-Jean
Prince-Jean is a fresh cow’s milk cheese which is made in modern creameries. This rich, triple cream cheese is divine in all its velvety pleasure. The aroma is pungent with a white mold surface. Another version of the cheese is also made with peppercorns, it is much softer.
Serving Cheese As A Dessert
In different traditions, it is customary to serve a cheese course before dessert or after dessert. But sometimes, you can switch out your chocolate cake and cherry pie for a delicious cheese course.
In recent years, it has become popular in some places to serve cheese in place of sugary sweets. As a dessert, cheese is an elegant, healthier option than brownies, cookies or ice-cream sundaes. With its many flavors, textures, and aromas, cheese offers a whole other world of possibilities.
Flavored Cheeses
At specialty cheese shops, like Shisler’s Cheese House, you can find a number of specially flavored cheeses from sweet flavors, fruits, liqueurs, beer cheeses and even chocolate cheeses- perfect for dessert! Shisler’s Cheese House has so many options for a dessert cheese which will have your senses overloading and mouth watering. Our store allows for the cheese to become any course of your meal and can be a perfect fit for dessert. One of our favorites, chocolate cheese can be paired with many foods such as muffins, pancakes, and bread. It is the best of both worlds.
Cheese Plates
If you’re creating your own cheese dessert, cheese plates are a very sophisticated option, especially when entertaining guests. A proper cheese board should have around 3 to 4 cheeses that range in flavor from savory and sweet.
To make the presentation look nice and appealing, arrange fresh fruits between each section of cheese. Pears, apples, figs, berries and grapes are good pairings for most cheeses. Then embellish each plate with a sprinkling of walnuts with a side of honey or pecan sauce.
To complement your offerings, put some dark bread and some delicious dessert wines out with the cheese boards. Dessert cheeses match well with vintage Port, Moscato or Icewines. For more on how to get the perfect cheese board and the best wine pairings, take a look at these articles:
The Perfect Cheese Board
The Best Wine And Cheese Pairings
Serving Port With Cheese
Dessert Cheese Choices
Some cheeses are actually naturally fruity and sweet in flavor which is helpful in making them traditional treats for dessert time. Putting together Dutch Gouda, creamy Havarti or French Brie and adding a few slices of fruit and wine can turn these simple cheeses into delicious, mouthwatering desserts.
For savory cheeses, it can be a little more tricky but they still make alluring dessert choices. Matured Parmesan is nutty and salty and perhaps best served with pears and figs. Or robust Italian Pecorino cut into chunks and served with honey and pears to melt in your mouth. Another option could be pairing strawberries and peaches with some Danish Blue.
If you are looking for a more casual treat, warm some slices of Finnish Juustoleipa (Bread Cheese) in the microwave for 20 seconds and serve it with honey or dip it into your coffee for a nice snack.
Easy Cheese Dessert Ideas
You may not notice it but cheese manages to find its way into many traditional desserts- from cheesecake and pies to tarts and tiramisu. So if you are not ready to fully trade in your favorite sweet treats for a cheese plate, you can enjoy the best of both in one dish.
If you don’t have time to bake, however, cheeses like Ricotta and Mascarpone can be turned into mouth-watering desserts with no fuss. With them being mild and creamy cheeses, they can be easily spread or swirled with sweet complimenting add-ins. Enjoy!
Ice Wine- Is It Worth The Buy?
Ice wine might be one of the sweetest mistakes nature has ever made. It is difficult to think how anyone would purposely go out to make ice wine because although it might look like it, ice wine is one of the hardest, tedious wines to produce. Just imagine being outside in sub-zero temperatures, in the dark, trying to harvest frozen grapes.
