Different Types of Edible Decorations

When you really want to take your sweet treats over the top, a stunning presentation is just the thing to help you. Adding a little decoration to your culinary creations can turn a delicious treat from a tasty dessert to a true work of art.

If you’re new to the world of edible decorations for candy and baked goods, the sheer number of options can be a little intimidating at first. We’re here to help you find your way through this vast world of delectable and beautiful options.

One of the easiest options for your desserts is sanding sugar. Sanding sugar can be used to make a sweet a little brighter and more colorful. From blue to orange to black, sanding sugar can help you to make the perfect presentation for your creations. If you’re looking to really amaze with your desserts, sanding sugar gives you the chance to create stunning designs on your cakes, cookies, brownies, candy and more.

Another great option for taking your treats up a notch is edible glitter dust and flakes. If you like to add a little sparkle to everything you do, edible glitter is for you! Edible glitter flakes offer a coarser glitter option for your sweets, while glitter dust adds a much finer luster for your treats.

If you want to add a little more pizazz to your creations, decorative pearls and sprinkles are a sure bet. Whether you want red, white and blue sprinkles for a patriotic-themed sweet, confetti ghosts for a Halloween dessert or wedding bell sprinkles for an edible wedding decoration, there are tons of sprinkle options to choose from. Sugar pearls can be used to add a little class to a treat or to create a delicious border.

Regardless of the dessert you plan to make, we can help you find the perfect edible decorations for your creation. Take a look around our store and find the best ways to liven up your desserts. Can’t find something you need? Just let us know and we’ll find it for you!

What are your secrets for turning your sweet treats into works of art? Let us know in the comments below!

Delicious Recipes - Creamy Chocolate Cake Mint Bars 

1 (18.25 ounce) package chocolate fudge cake mix with pudding

½ cup butter, softened

3 (8 ounce) package  cream cheese, softened

1 (16 ounce) container cream cheese flavored frosting

3 eggs

6 drops green food coloring or as needed

3 drops crème de menthe candy flavoring

1 (10 ounce) package dark chocolate and mint chips

- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C)

- Beat cake mix and butter with an electric mixer on low speed in a bowl until crumbly, 3 to 5 minutes. Set aside 1 cup for topping.

- Press remaining crumb mixture into bottom of an ungreased 9x13 inch pan.

- Place in preheated oven and bake until edges begin to crisp, about 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool slightly.

- Beat cream cheese and frosting with an electric mixer on medium speed in a bowl until smooth, 3 to 5 minutes.

- Drop eggs one at a time into the cream cheese mixture and beat until color is blended, about 2 minutes.

- Pour in 6 drops green food coloring, or more for a darker color; beat until color is blended, about 2 minutes.

- Beat in crème de menthe candy flavoring until thoroughly blended, about 2 minutes. Taste and add more flavoring if needed.

- Pour batter over the chocolate crust in the 9x13 pan.

- Sprinkle 1 cup reserved crumb mixture over cheesecake batter.

- Top with 1 cup chocolate and mint morsels; reserve remaining morsels for finishing touches.

- Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake until set, 42-45 minutes.

- Remove pan from oven and cool completely.

- Cover and refrigerate until chilled, at least 2 hours.

- Pour reserved chocolate and mint morsels into a small microwave safe bowl. Microwave morsels in 45 second intervals; stir until completely melted and smooth.

- Pour melted chocolate into a resealable plastic bag.

- Clip a small bottom corner of the bag. Gently squeezing the bag, drizzle melted chocolate over the cooled cake through the clipped corner.

- Cut cake into bars and serve

All the fixings for this recipe can be found at Sweet Treat Supply, Order yours today!

Where in the World are they Eating More White Chocolate?

Each one of us has our favorite. Most of the time, never to stray to another type of that chocolaty goodness and although we may try another from time to time, there are clearly favorites that run, and can be determined by WHERE you live.

Nearly $1.5 billion worth of white chocolate was consumed around the world last year, according to data from Euromonitor. The US, UK, and Brazil alone gobbled up over $700 million worth, or roughly half the total.

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At over $315 million sold annually, Brazil has by far the world’s largest appetite for white chocolate. It accounts for 15.5% of the country’s overall chocolate market, the highest percentage for any of the 52 major countries surveyed. Netherlands was second, with 15%; South Africa was third, with 13.5%; and Mexico was fourth, with 11%.

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Some in the chocolate world turn their noses up at white chocolate. “White chocolate doesn’t fit the fine chocolate category because it only uses a portion of the cocoa bean. Technically speaking, white chocolate isn’t even chocolate, because it doesn’t actually contain any cocoa solids—only cocoa butter, the fat that’s left over when cocoa is processed.  The US Food and Drug Administration has even had to clamp down on what exactly is allowed to be called “white chocolate,” because chocolate makers were adding too much sugar and other fats to woo consumers. Now white chocolate must, among other things, contain at least 20% cocoa butter, 14% milk solids, and less than 56% sugar.

Still, the world’s appetite continues to grow. The global market for white chocolate has grown some 21% over the last five years, led by monstrous growth in Brazil, where white chocolate consumption has ballooned by nearly 150% over that period, as well as Argentina and Saudi Arabia, where it has nearly doubled since 2008. 

We have all the white chocolate you heart desires! Check it out here!

Best Treats for Mother's Day

Mother's Day is the perfect opportunity to shower your mom with delicious treats and sweet surprises. Don't be content with buying something from a store — in your own kitchen, you can whip up a fun treat with the right supplies. Before you start baking, think about a treat that your mother will enjoy and likely share with you.

Cakes

Thanks to the nearly endless range of cake pans, you don't have to make a boring square or round cake. Look for a cake pan that your mother will find cute or funny. If your mom loves cats, get a cat cake pan. You can also spice up your cake by choosing from a variety of possible flavors. Although chocolate is usually a safe choice, you can be creative by baking a lemon or red velvet cake.

If you think that your cake needs a little something extra, go wild with your decorations. Use frosting to add color to the cake, Americolor, for example, offers a wide variety of options to make the perfect shades. Other supplies, such as sprinkles, edible glitter, glitter dust and sanding sugars add texture and fun to your baked creations. If you're feeling adventurous, you can use a pastry bag and several decorating tips to complete your icing. These are great ways to add fun accents to your cake.

Cake Pops

Cake pops are a great way to give your mom a delicious cake-flavored treat in a small and adorable form. Creating these balls of chocolate-covered cake is an enjoyably messy project. Once you've created the pops, you can easily decorate them to suit your mom's tastes. For example, you could use some icing to make floral designs on the pops. Before you start your cake pop project, be sure to gather all of the necessary supplies, including lollipop sticks and candy melting pots.

Candy

At Sweet Treat Supply, we believe there’s no better homemade Mother’s Day gift than candy. Find a shape your mom will love — purses and shoes, for example — and gather her favorite ingredients. If you’re interested in a little bonding time with your mother, there’s no better way than making candy together. Our enormous section of candy molds will keep you entertained and sure to find something to fit your interest.

Cupcakes

Cupcakes are another baked treat that you can package and personalize for a Mother's Day gift. You can use a premade cake flavor or create a recipe from scratch for your cupcakes. For best results, you'll need a muffin tin and cupcake or baking cups for your treat. After letting your cupcakes cool, you can use a variety of supplies to finish the look, starting with frosting and sprinkles. To make your cupcakes extra special, use cake toppers to give your gift a particular theme.

What do you plan to give your mom this Mother’s Day? Let us know in the comments below!

EASTER Recipe - Peanut Butter Easter Eggs 

Here's something you can do nearly in your sleep (and as a busy mom you probably are!) and these are definitely looking to become a family favorite! The total time for prep is 35 minutes and chilling. Cooking just a mere 5 minutes

Ingredients - Get your ingredients from Sweet Treat Supply here!
- 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2-1/3 cups confectioners' sugar
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 1-1/2 cups dark chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons shortening
- Your choice of icing toppings

Directions
1. In a large bowl, beat peanut butter, butter and vanilla until blended. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar and cracker crumbs. Shape mixture into 16 eggs; place on waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Refrigerate 30 minutes or until firm.

2. In a microwave, melt chocolate chips and shortening; stir until smooth. Dip eggs in chocolate mixture; allow excess to drip off.

3. Return eggs to baking sheets. Refrigerate 30 minutes.

4. If desired, decorate eggs with icing or other delicious toppings. Let stand until set. Store in airtight containers in refrigerator. Makes 16 eggs.

Confectioners' sugar icing: In a bowl, mix 2 cups confectioners’ sugar, 4 teaspoons corn syrup, 1 teaspoon almond extract and 1-2 tablespoons milk until smooth. Tint with paste food coloring if desired.Yield: 2/3 cup. To decorate eggs with bunny ears: Cut decorative paper into bunny ears. Tape each ear to a toothpick; insert into top of eggs. Remove ears before eating.

Great fun to make it a family activity or a very special surprise for all in the family. All the ingredients for this EASTER recipe can be ordered today at Sweet Treat Supply!

Be A Candy World Traveler

So if Candyland just happened to be one of your childhood’s favorite games we have a treat for you. Here are a few trips you can make around the world to satisfy your Sweet Tooth!

Our first stop is a doozie! We are bringing out the guns and heading to Brussels, Belgium. This place caters to your chocolate artisans creating your every whim Giant chocolate manta ray? They got it there. Hey they even can make you a famous chocolate recreation of the Manneken Pis!

If you’re after true bon bons, you be sure to check out the artisan praline producers. Pierre Marcolini and Royal Warrant-holder Mary are rated among the best chocolatiers in Belgium. Bring along your pocketbook, it is a pretty penny, but you can certainly sink your teeth into some fine chocolate there.

Famously neutral in their politics they may be, Switzerland is in the thick of it when it comes to chocolate. Home to candy brands like Nestle, Ricola, Toblerone and Lindt produced the very first milk chocolate. You’ll want to jump on the Swiss Chocolate Train destination Broc for the Maison Cailler chocolate factory. Take the tour and get your treat!

Next is south of our border, to Mexico where the Mayan and the Aztecs certainly played a vital role in this world of chocolate. Visit the City of Oaxaca in the southeastern state of Oaxaca where you can go to the chocolate producers of the famed street 20 de Noviembre where you can choose the ingredients for a customized chocolate hit.

Our last stop is stateside, in Los Angeles to a place described as “the sweet spot for sweeties”. 30,000 square feet of candy craziness will test your limits and the inner child within you! Located on Hollywood Boulevard, 300 types of chocolate bars, and 250 types of lollipops are there. If it is candy, or can be thought of it’s here!

Check out howyou can get your Sweet Tooth Groove on at Sweet Treat Supply!

Your Choice of Cookie Defines You

(Originally published in the Huffington Post http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/14/cookies_n_4781774.html?ir=Taste)

So what does your preference of cookie say about you?

Cookies are a thing of beauty. From the humble oatmeal raisin to the sophisticated macaron, and of course, to the classic chocolate chip, the wonderful world of cookies knows no bounds. Cookies with milk, cookies for an ice cream sandwich, cookies on their own... the ways to eat a cookie are as numerous as the kinds of cookies out there.

With so much to choose from, you likely have a favorite cookie, or at least a go-to, and your pick probably says more about you than you think. Are you traditional and go for what you know, or are you bold and even a little sassy? Find out what your favorite cookie says about you.

Oatmeal Raisin

You’re traditional and even a bit old-fashioned. You’re not overly adventurous, and prefer to cozy up with a book in front of the fire instead of brave the elements for a good time.

Biscotti

You’re a little tough, or at least you seem that way to people who don’t know you well. If they took the time to get to know you, they’d see that you’re a big softy when you want to be.

Macaron

You’re chic, you’re sophisticated, you’re pretty fabulous and you kind of know it. You look good in everything, no matter occasion.

Snickerdoodle

You’re needlessly modest, and no one knows why. Everyone loves you, because you’re absolutely adorable and perfectly understand.

Oreo

You’re playful and fun and can hang out with anyone. You’re always up for anything. And you can’t resist that rich creamy middle!

Gingersnap

You’re sassy and a bit of a wild card. You’re not afraid to tell people what you think and definitely not afraid to stand up for yourself. You’re bold, a little kooky, but you can also be really sweet.

Black and White Cookie

You’re a New Yorker. Fuhhgeddaboutit

Peanut Butter Cookie

You’re very intelligent but also very disarming. You work well under pressure and handle crises with patience and composure.

 Rainbow Cookie

You can be quite polarizing – some people love you, but some people hate you. Mostly, you’re just misunderstood, which is unfortunate, because you’re just trying to have a little fun!

Shortbread

You’re quiet and sometimes you may feel like people don’t notice you. You’re not under-appreciated, however. You’re wonderful and everybody knows it. People will always come back to you.

Chocolate Chip Cookie

You’re as close to perfection as someone can get. Few people can hold a candle to you. You’re loved by everyone because you’re classic and you know not to mess with a good thing.

Remember for any whichever type of cookie is your favorite we here at Sweet Treat Supply have you covered!

Tips for Making Your Own Easter Candy

Easter can be one of the most rewarding times of the year for candy lovers. From chocolate bunnies to assorted sugary sweets, there’s candy everywhere around this holiday. Unfortunately, however, if you have food allergies or would like to avoid specific ingredients — including those ones you can’t pronounce — store-bought candy often isn’t an option.

Although it requires a little more effort, homemade Easter candy offers many more benefits than the kind you see at the store! In addition to giving you the freedom to choose your own ingredients, making your own Easter candy is fun and a great opportunity to bond with family and friends.

For those who have never made their own candy, here are a few tips so you can learn how to make Easter candy:

1. Choose the perfect Easter candy molds. There are so many choices of candy molds available for Easter, it’s impossible to choose just one. Whether you want crosses, bunnies or other spring-time symbols, you’re sure to find at least a few fun candy molds to experiment with this holiday.
2. Find your favorite chocolate and other ingredients. Everyone has their favorite type of chocolate — some people like creamy milk or white chocolate, while others enjoy the full flavor of dark chocolate — and you can create your candy with your favorite chocolate as a base. Consider adding other ingredients as well, such as nuts, caramel or peanut butter, to make this candy all yours.
3. Prepare your ingredients. If your chocolate requires tempering, check out our blog post for instructions for tempering chocolate. Additionally, other ingredients might require some prep work, such as chopping nuts or melting caramel.
4. Fill your candy molds and let them set. Once all of your ingredients are ready to go, fill your candy molds and allow the candy to set.
5. Decorate your homemade Easter candy. One of the best benefits of making your own Easter candy is that you get to turn the candy into a work of art. Use a candy writer to decorate your chocolate with fun colors, or try adding some edible glitter or sprinkles.

Have you made your own Easter candy before? What is your favorite part? Let us know in the comments!

Is There Anything Better Than Chocolate? 

When you are walking through the aisles of a supermarket one sees an array of chocolate delicacies for sale. The assortment of chocolate bars and sticks, chocolate milk, cakes, cookies and the like are all available. Depending on what you put into your favorite midnight snack, chocolate has it’s very unique “healing” powers. 

A Little Background 
Chocolate starts with a tree called a cacao tree. The tree produces a fruit about the size of a small pineapple. Inside the fruit are the seeds known as cocoa beans. The beans are sent to a chocolate maker who roasts the beans to bring out the flavor. The roasted beans are winnowed which removes the meat of the bean from the outer shell. Called the nib, are then grounded into liquid called chocolate liquor. Cocoa beans are half fat which causes them to turn into a liquid when ground. If one were to leave the chocolate liquor alone and let them cool and solidify, that is how unsweetened chocolate comes around. On the other side you can squeeze out the fat from the cocoa bean and what is left when grounded is cocoa powder. Add a bit of sugar, and milk with the chocolate liquor and cocoa and the deliciousness of Milk Chocolate comes out to great you! 

Euphoria is Where It Happens 
That creamy, to-die-for texture and deeply gratifying taste has been the choice of the discerning taste buds for centuries. But it’s not all in the taste that you can get the benefit. Why does chocolate create such reactions and feelings? It’s all in its chemistry! Chocolate contains naturally the chemical phenylethylamine which is a straight up endorphin. When you are feeling good, or have a pleasant experience, the body organically releases the endorphins…. Yep, who said that eating chocolate WASN’T pure pleasure!? 

These feelings can include a greatly elevated mood, sense of excitement, attraction and yes, pleasure that can result in feelings of contentment, wonder and love. 

Throw in the health benefits, because when it comes to chocolate and the heart, the emphasis should be on the dark side of chocolate. Dark chocolate is rich and in a group of antioxidants called flavanols. And despite all the fancy names, in small amount, this ingredient is said to lower blood pressure, increase vascular health, lower the “bad” cholesterol, and improve how your brain works. 

So Bon Appetit! Treat yourself today with the amazing chocolate desserts, treats, and snacks that can help you in all sorts of ways! Even if you think that chocolate isn’t the “bee’s knees”, it can certainly make the ride of life worthwhile.

EASTER Recipes - Homemade Cadbury Creme Chocolate Eggs

Easter is coming up very quickly and we want to get you the delectable morsels that give you the tasty morsels over and over again. Imagine the joy of someone you love finding these in their Easter baskets? Hope your ready because here we go!

 Homemade Cadbury Creme Eggs

Makes about 15 eggs depending on the size you make them. My eggs were just a little smaller than non-homemade creme eggs.

½ cup Lyle’s Golden Syrup
¾ stick (6 tablespoons) butter, softened
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cup powdered sugar
¼- ½ teaspoon yellow food color
12 oz dark chocolate, chopped (or 1 bag Ghirardelli 60% chips)

Place the butter in the bowl of a stand mixer that has been fitted with the paddle attachment (this can easily be done by hand or with a hand mixer). Add the Golden Syrup, salt, and vanilla. Mix on medium-low to combine. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula to make sure everything is mixed well.

Turn the mixer to low and slowly add the powdered sugar. Mix until completely smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary.

Place ⅓ of the mixture into a small bowl and add enough food color to obtain desired color.

Cover both bowls with plastic wrap and put into the freezer for at least 15 minutes. It is necessary that this mixture be very cold while working with it.

When the sugar mixture has completely chilled remove from the freezer. Working quickly take about ½ teaspoon of the “yolk” mixture and roll it into a ball. Continue forming your yolks.

Once the yolks are complete place them on a plate or a sheet tray covered with parchment and then put that back into the freezer.

Now working with your “whites” use a tablespoon measure to scoop out the sugar mixture then roll that into a ball. Continue until all the white portion of the sugar mixture is gone.

If the “whites” are too soft place back into the freezer for a few minutes.

Remove the “yolks” from the freezer. Place a “white” in the palm of your hand and gently flatten a bit. Create a indent in the center to rest the “yolk” in. Place the “yolk” in the center of the “white” then cover it up. Roll the “white” into an egg shape. If at any point the sugar mixture gets too soft quickly put it back into the freezer.

Continue this process until all your eggs are complete. Return to the freezer.

While your eggs are chilling temper your chocolate. 

Or melt the chocolate in a microwave at 30 second intervals stirring very well in between. Add 1 tablespoon canola oil to the chocolate and stir well. This gives you a little more flexibility with the chocolate eliminating some of the need for precise tempering. You will not, however get as nice of a crack as you bite into the egg.

Working with one egg at a time, remove the egg from the freezer and stick a toothpick in it. Dip the egg into the chocolate and carefully let the excess chocolate drip off. Place the toothpick into something – like a yam perhaps – while the chocolate sets.

Place the chocolate covered egg into the fridge for 10 minutes while the chocolate sets.

Carefully remove the toothpick from the egg and cover up the small hole with a little bit of tempered chocolate.

And there you have it, you have the cadbury eggs with your own personal, loving touch! All the Ingredients can be ordered straight from Sweet Treat Supply. Get your order in as soon as you can!