Jun
29
2012
Submitted by: grace

kids birthday party ideasIf your next chocolate fountain rental is for an event centered around kids, such as a birthday party or a family reunion, consider showing kids how to grow a mud pie from your chocolate fountain display. Any adults present will likely have no qualms about joining in with this fun and delicious take on chocolate fountains!

 
Planning the Chocolate Fountain Mud Pie Extravaganza
 
When planning a chocolate fountain party for kids, it’s important to remember three facts: kids have shorter attention spans, they don’t mind getting messy (many actually prefer to!), and they love to participate in activities rather than watch them unfold.
 
Although chocolate fountains are an interactive dessert to begin with, stepping it up for that younger audience is the perfect way to customize chocolate fountain rentals for kids – and spread the word on how fun and tasty it was to build a chocolate fountain mud pie.
 
Knowing what the final product will look like is helpful in planning this type of chocolate fountain event. Gathering enough small cups that resemble flower pots is important, as well as organizing the toppings. Oreo cookie crumbles, gummy worms, toffee bits and fondant shapes are all you need to create delicious chocolate mud pies.
 
Creating a Delicious Chocolate Fountain Mud Pie
 
Each child will be given a “pot” to begin the growing process. Next, use a small shovel-like scoop to put the chocolate for chocolate fountains into each pot. Then, the kids can fertilize the chocolate with yummy toppings. Depending on whether the group is all boys or girls, or is mixed gender, might influence the topping choice a bit. For example, an all boy group would enjoy choosing to “fertilize” with Oreo cookie crumbles or toffee bits, but would probably like adding gummy worms to the “dirt” and finishing off with fondant grasshoppers and leaves.
 
An all girl group might not want to put worms in their mud pies and would likely appreciate choosing from several types of fondant flowers to top their mud pie creations with. Of course, if the group is mixed, offering a combination of these toppings will ensure that everyone gets to create a unique chocolate fountain mud pie that tastes delicious, whether it is sprouting insects or flowers.
 
Of course, these edible chocolate fountain mud pies won’t last too long in front of their creators before being devoured with zeal by hungry children who will likely beg to make another before the afternoon is through!
 
 

 

May
11
2012
Submitted by: grace

 Eating Dark Chocolate is Like Aerobic ExerciseWayne State University recently released the findings of a study that will surely please many dark chocolate lovers. Although scientists are continuing to discover the health benefits associated with eating moderate portions of dark chocolate on a regular basis, these findings take eating dark chocolate to a whole new level.

 
Why Eating Dark Chocolate is Like Aerobic Exercise
 
Scientists at Wayne State University conducted a study and found that dark chocolate can produce a similar effect on the body as aerobic exercise like jogging and cycling. These types of exercise are healthy because they increase mitochondria production within muscle cells. Mitochondria are the parts of cells that create energy. When mitochondria increases because of aerobic activity, energy levels increase, and people experience a fuller workout.
 
Wayne State University researchers discovered that the compound epicatechin, which is found in dark chocolate with 70 percent or higher cacao present, stimulates muscles to produce more energy the same way jogging a few miles would. Dr. Malek of Wayne State University who headed the study (performed on mice) noted that epicatechin from dark chocolate particularly stimulated skeletal and heart muscles, and this effect was more noticeable in middle-aged mice who ingested the dark chocolate compound and exercised on the treadmill.
 
Stop Exercising and Eat Dark Chocolate?
 
This study on the positive effects of dark chocolate on muscle stimulation is in no way advocating that people should eat dark chocolate in lieu of exercising. Nothing replaces aerobic activity for keeping the body fit and healthy. The study does show that consuming a few ounces of dark chocolate before exercising could greatly improve the stamina through increased energy.
 
Healthy dark chocolateResults are promising, as test subjects saw a fifty percent increase in performance during a workout after eating dark chocolate prior to exercising versus those who exercised without dark chocolate.
 
Other Dark Chocolate Benefits
 
In addition to this new discovery of dark chocolate helping to improve athletic performance by producing more muscular energy, dark chocolate has also been shown to improve heart health and lower blood pressure. Dark chocolate, unlike milk and white chocolate varieties, contains large amounts of antioxidants, which destroy free radicals that can cause problems like heart disease.
 
The cocoa phenols present in dark chocolate are what help lower blood pressure. These are present in higher quantities in European produced dark chocolate and almost non-existent in milk and white chocolates.
 

 

Apr
12
2012
Submitted by: admin

Chocolate chip cookies Rarely does a single recipe become worthy of its own blog post; but this is the exception. These are by far THE best chocolate chip cookies...EVER!  Inspired by Mrs. Field's use of ground oatmeal, this recipe will make you famous with friends and family. And while the Sephra chocolate chips are not a must - they really do make a huge different. The Sephra chips stay a bit melty in the baked cookie, making them irresistable and so delicious you won't believe it. My husband has one rule in our house from which he will not vary - he is allowed to eat as many of these cookies on baking day as he wants! 

 Chocolate chip cookies

SEPHRA CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

Cream together:             

2 cups butter

2 cups sugar

2 cups brown sugar

Add:                     

4 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla

Mix together:                

4 cups flour

5 cups ground oatmeal (measure before grinding)

Put a small amount of oatmeal at a time in the blender until it turns to powder. 

1 tsp. salt

2 tsp. baking soda

2 tsp. baking powder

Mix all ingredients together.  

Fold in:       

24 oz. Sephra dark chocolate chips

8 oz.   Sephra milk chocolate chips

3 cups chopped nuts (any kind will do, however, I use walnuts; it’s optional, I don’t always use them.)   

Roll into golf-ball size balls.  Bake 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes.  We prefer them chewy so I usually take the cookies out when they look slightly underdone and shiny on top.  Then once they cool they are chewy, not crispy.
 

Mar
23
2012
Submitted by: admin

Halo halos and chocolate fountainsFusion cuisine, which mixes two or more ethnic influences into dishes, has grown more popular as chefs get increasingly creative with combining flavors from various cultures. To appeal to a wider demographic and to add interest at your next chocolate fountain event, consider these fusion chocolate fountain ideas.

 

Halo Halos: Sweet Filipino Treats Topped With Chocolate for Chocolate Fountains
Whether you’ll be entertaining a group with Filipino heritage or a wedding where either the bride or groom is Filipino, including halo-halos with the chocolate fountain is the perfect way to fuse two cultures together through delicious chocolate for chocolate fountains!
 

Halo-halos are sweet dishes that include a base of sweet boiled beans and fruit topped with shaved ice mixed and evaporated milk. Halo-halo ingredients can be any combination of boiled and sweetened garbanzo and kidney beans, caramelized bananas or plantains, jackfruit, crushed rice, leche flan and tapioca. This sweet treat will taste even better when fused with chocolate for chocolate fountains, and guests will savor each chocolate covered bite of their halo-halo fusion.  

Halo-halos can be pre-made or assembled by guests who place any combination of the above-mentioned treats into a glass dish followed by shaved ice, evaporated milk and then finished with as much rich, warm chocolate for chocolate fountains as desired by each guest. 

Bonjour Crêpes au Chocolat!

crepes and chocolate fountain rentalsEven when people don’t have actual French roots, most enjoy the uniquely French dessert crêpes, which are simply sweet, thin pancakes folded over a variety of fillings. In France, street vendors sell these delectable treats filled with everything from chocolate and bananas to eggs and cheese. Whether the crepes are sweet or savory, they will always taste even more fabulous when fused with chocolate for chocolate fountains. 

Featuring a crepe station beside the chocolate fountain will definitely cause a stir among guests as mouths begin watering at the prospect of uniting the two desserts. Guests can still indulge in a variety of dipping treats and then simply choose some for their freshly made crepe.  For example, fresh strawberries dipped in a warm chocolate fountain can be wrapped in a crepe for the ultimate indulgence. Chocolate fountain-dipped macadamia nuts, almonds or walnuts would also make a delectable crepe filling. 

Fusing chocolate fountains with international cuisine is a sure-fire way to attract people of different backgrounds to an evening filled with chocolate fountain delight. People not familiar with a particular dessert tradition will get the opportunity to try something new and indulge in the familiar pleasure of chocolate for chocolate fountains….the perfect fusion!

Mar
23
2012
Submitted by: admin

 Candy MoldsAnyone from a novice to a seasoned candy maker will appreciate the vast variety that Sephra offers its candy makers. From Sephra chocolate melts to tools to dyes to the finishing touches, Sephra has you covered. 

Candy Making Starts With the Chocolate 

Candy Making Chocolate Sephra’s decadent chocolate melts are perfect for candy making. Sephra’s chocolate melts are available in white, milk and dark chocolate varieties, and after melting, they harden quickly to form a shell around dipping treats or to make candy. Tempering is not necessary and neither is adding fattening ingredients like oil. 

Candy Making Continues With Candy Molds and Tools 

Sephra offers a wide variety of creative candy molds so that your chocolate confections will turn out looking professional and taste delicious! There are molds perfect for a bridal shower or wedding reception in shapes like a pair of entwined hearts or wedding bells and a three-tiered wedding cake. There are also romantic molds like single rose buds and hearts.  

You can also jazz up a kid’s birthday party with fun shapes like a pirate head or treasure chest for boys and a fairy princess or butterflies for girls. 

Don’t forget the essential candy making tools to help you create these confection wonders like small squeeze bottles perfect for holding melted chocolate, so you can carefully squeeze just the right amount into each candy mold. There are also decorating bags that allow you to decorate the mold’s details with colored chocolate.  

If you need to create pink chocolate, simply use Sephra’s candy colors (they come in primary blue, yellow, orange and red) to create any shade you can think of using the white chocolate. There are also lollipop sticks and molds so you can put some of those creative shapes on a stick or a pretzel to give away. 

Candy Making Concludes With Perfect Packaging 

Sephra offers several packaging options for your candy creations so that you can present them as professionally as if you bought them at a specialty store. Sephra offers half-pound candy boxes that you can carefully arrange your homemade chocolates in and then seal it with a gold foil seal that says “Home Made.” You also have the option of using Sephra’s clear lollipop wraps to keep your hard work fresh. 

Sephra gives you the chocolate fountain chocolate and all the molds and tools you’ll need to get started on making delicious candy that no one will believe came out of your kitchen!

 

Mar
16
2012
Submitted by: grace

mini cupcakes and chocolate fountainsCupcakes have become the fashionable dessert, with small cupcake focused bakeries popping up in towns and cities across the nation. Wedding cakes composed of cupcakes is a trend that naturally followed the cupcake phenomenon, so why not delight your next bridal client with tiers of mini cupcakes for her chocolate fountain wedding cake? 

Creating a Mini-Cupcake Masterpiece 

Cupcakes are trendy and delicious, and many brides are choosing to create a wedding cake out of cupcakes. Many brides are also choosing to include a chocolate fountain rental in their wedding reception, whether they want the chocolate fountain rental to take the place of a traditional wedding cake or just be a fun and delicious dessert option. No matter which option your bride chooses, providing the option of mini-cupcakes that can be dipped into the chocolate fountain rental will delight your bride. 

Allow her to choose a single flavor or multiple flavors, and then plan to arrange them in tiers for a grand appearance. The icing should complement her wedding colors, whether she wants an all white bridal look or she chooses bold colors like turquoise and white. If she has a bold accent color, you could offer to dye the icing to match and use white cake batter for the cupcakes, or create white cupcakes and decorate the tiers with ribbons and flowers in the accent color. 

Accenting the Wedding Reception With Dippable Mini-Cupcakes 

If your bride definitely wants to accent the dessert table with dippable mini-cupcakes for her guests to enjoy before the cake cutting, it’s still essential to create mini-cupcakes that complement the bride’s color scheme and taste delicious. When the mini-cupcakes will accent the dessert table, they will still likely be most remembered by guests once they begin dipping them into the chocolate fountain rental. 

You’ll probably want to make extra dippable mini-cupcakes for the chocolate fountain rental display table.  Despite other dipping treats being available like skewers of fruit and confections, mini-cupcakes will draw the guests’ attention. You might still arrange them on tiered plates beside other dipping treats, but they will disappear fast! Something about a mini-cupcake dipped in delicious chocolate for chocolate fountains is more appealing than many other types of dipping treats, meaning this chocolate fountain rental will be a huge success. 

Whether your bride chooses dippable mini-cupcakes to be arranged dramatically in place of a traditional wedding cake, or she wants them to take center stage on the chocolate fountain rental display table in addition to a wedding cake, those mini-cupcakes dipped into the chocolate fountain will definitely be the star of the dessert table.

 
Feb
23
2012
Submitted by: grace

Dark chocolate and chiliCombining dark chocolate and chilli dates back to the ancient Aztec civilization, who indulged in chocolate long before it was introduced to the Europeans. They often united the native cocoa bean and chillies, and this tradition is still found throughout Central and South America. Today, it is taking root among foodies who crave the sweet and savory combination of chocolate and chilli!

 
Chocolate and Chilli: The Beginning
 
The Aztecs discovered the delicious flavor when chocolate and chilli were combined. They originated the drink hot chocolate by roasting cocoa beans, and then using a mortar and pestle to grind the roasted cocoa beans with water and then flavored the drink with chilli, vanilla, honey and pepper. Of course, once the European settlers tasted this exotic quaff, cocoa beans quickly became a desired crop.
 
Dark chocolate and chilliToday, chocolate and chilli is combined in a variety of recipes, from main courses like chilli to sweet desserts with a kick, like cupcakes, brownies and even ice cream. Chocolate and chilli is becoming more acceptable here in the U.S. as gourmet chocolatiers produce confections like chocolate covered jalapenos or offer customers hot cocoa spiked with chilli to warm them on a cold day.
 
How to Incorporate Chocolate and Chilli
 
Many recipes are easily altered to include either chocolate or chilli without having to create a special recipe for a chocolate chilli occasion. For example, brownies infused with chilli are becoming more popular, and many at-home cooks simply take their favorite brownie recipe and add chilli flakes or chopped red chilli pepper to the dry ingredients.
 
Even well-known manufacturers of cake and cupcake mixes like Duncan Hines have gotten on board the chocolate and chilli train with a variation on their chocolate cupcakes and cake mix. By adding cinnamon and cayenne pepper to both the chocolate cake mix and the chocolate frosting, Duncan Hines assures bakers that the result will be “muy interesante!”
 
The main course dish chilli can be infused with dark, unsweetened chocolate and espresso powder that deepens the flavor of the chilli, but won’t overpower it. Restaurants that make their own ice cream might feature a chocolate chilli ice cream, but there are plenty of recipes that allow you to experiment with making your own version!
 
Whether you’re adding a dash of chilli pepper and cinnamon to your hot chocolate or cupcake batter or chopping dark chocolate for a chilli supper, foodies and chocolate lovers agree that combining this dynamic duo of chocolate and chilli will kick your next dinner or dessert up a notch.
 
 
Feb
09
2012
Submitted by: grace

If you have a home chocolate fountain, you can plan the perfect romantic date night without leaving the house. Most date nights focused on romance include dinner at a nice restaurant, candlelight and wine or champagne. Instead, save your money and plan a decadent date night at home using these ideas! 

Setting the Stage for Romance 

Although home chocolate fountains are an important element of a romantic date night, setting the stage for romance is much more than just setting up the chocolate fountain. The stage doesn’t have to be elaborate, but some thought must be put in to create the perfect ambiance. For example, instead of setting up the chocolate fountain on the kitchen table or island, choose a spot by the fireplace, on the patio (weather permitting), or even set up a floor picnic in the bedroom. 

Once you’ve chosen the ideal spot, you’ll still need a sturdy surface to put the chocolate fountain on, and you should also plan for low lighting, flickering candlelight and soft music. Also, protect the room you choose for your date by using a dark-colored tablecloth beneath the chocolate fountain. Then, lay out fluffy floor pillows on a blanket for lounging by the chocolate fountain. 

Choosing Romantic Dipping Treats 

After you’ve decided where and how you’ll set the scene for your romantic date, it’s time to focus on choosing dipping treats for the chocolate fountain that evoke romance. Of course, strawberries are a classic choice. Not only do they taste even better dipped in warm chocolate for chocolate fountains, but they are quintessential romance. 

If you want to break the mold or just offer a variety, you could layer a skewer with strawberry slices and blueberries and arrange a handful of these in a vase using floral foam at the bottom. You could also arrange heart-shaped cookies on a plate to dip into the chocolate fountain. 

You don’t need too many dipping treats, especially since it’s a date for two, so keep it simple and romantic, and you can’t go wrong. 

Pairing Champagne With Chocolate for Chocolate Fountains 

To add that something special to the evening, consider opening a bottle of bubbly to go with the chocolate dipped treats. Chocolate and champagne, especially chocolate covered strawberries and champagne, complement each other perfectly. The champagne should be dry to offset the sweetness of the chocolate fountain. 

The possibilities are endless when it comes to infusing date night with decadent chocolate for chocolate fountains, meaning you can create unique romantic evenings as often as you crave chocolate covered treats!

 

 

Nov
16
2011
Submitted by: grace

Halloween chocolate fountain ideasHalloween is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than by hosting a spooky haunted house? And what better way to make your haunted house stand out as the tastiest frightfest than by including a spooktacular chocolate fountain?   

Here are some ideas for transforming an ordinary haunted house into a deliciously spooky Halloween event!

 

Create Chocolate to Dye For 

Setting up a haunted house takes careful planning and preparation to make sure that guests are properly scared during their experience. An excellent way to separate your haunted house experience from others is to reward terrified guests with a haunted chocolate fountain table that continues the haunted Halloween theme, but tastes delicious. The best place to get started is to choose a spooky color to dye your chocolate. 

Begin with Sephra’s white chocolate for chocolate fountains, and transform the innocent white into blood red or dark purple using Sephra’s candy color created to dye chocolate for chocolate fountains without changing the rich, buttery taste of the white chocolate. Under low lighting, blood red or dark purple will do the trick of transforming an ordinary chocolate fountain into a haunted chocolate fountain. 

Serve Spooky Dipping Treats 

Halloween treats Although there are many delicious dipping treats to choose from that would taste even better dipped in the decadence of Sephra’s white chocolate for chocolate fountains, choosing a spooky array of dipping treats is ideal to continue the haunted house theme. Instead of laying out a tray of cookies, create a tray of lady “fingers,” which are finger-shaped shortbread or sugar cookies with an almond sliver as the fingernail.  

Chocolate bat-shaped cookies will also continue the spooky theme, but taste fabulous dipped in blood red chocolate for chocolate fountains. A skewer of cherries will also tantalize once dipped in the chocolate for chocolate fountains, but will give your guests pause before they take their first bite.  

Set the Scene for a Haunted Chocolate Fountain Experience 

Finally, make sure that the chocolate fountain display table continues the haunted house theme. Suspending bats from the ceiling so they brush the heads of your guests will keep them jumping, and using a black tablecloth beneath the chocolate fountain and dipping treats will help guests focus on the flow of blood-red chocolate that looks creepy but smells great.  

Scatter skulls, large black spiders and spider webs among the dipping treats, so that guests will need to overcome fear to feast on delicious chocolate for chocolate fountains this Halloween!

Oct
22
2011
Submitted by: sephra

Halloween candy makingHalloween is the perfect holiday to host a creepy, crawly chocolate fountain party. Chocolate for chocolate fountain is not only delicious, but delight everyone from kids to adults. Getting into the Halloween spirit isn't difficult with Sephra's home fondue fountains and a little creativity!

Kid-Friendly Halloween Chocolate Fountain Party

Since Halloween is associated with orange and black, you could either use white chocolate for chocolate fountains and dye it orange, or simply use milk or dark chocolate and offer an array of dipping treats that match the Halloween color scheme. Sephra's home chocolate fountains are easy to decorate, and you might consider using orange twinkle lights around the bottom and top of the chocolate fountain and use a big black spider as the topper.

For kid-friendly dipping treats, consider using orange and black sugar cookies in various Halloween-inspired shapes, such as bats, spiders and skulls. Mini-cupcakes made with vanilla batter, orange icing with a smattering of black sprinkles would taste delicious dipped in chocolate. A tray stacked with fluffy marshmallows will be a hit, especially is the kids have to reach through a spider web to get one. The food table could have a black tablecloth, and various insects could be scattered around the food trays. The kids can all dress up and will not only love dipping the Halloween-themed food into the chocolate for chocolate fountains, but will have a safe evening.

Adults-Only Halloween Chocolate Fountain Party

For an adult party, you might choose a creepy theme over a crawly one and feature a haunted house, complete with the haunted chocolate fountain display table. You could set your home chocolate fountain in a graveyard by using a black tablecloth and propping up headstones around the table. A life-size skeleton, perhaps sporting a black coat, could guard the chocolate fountain, or you might use a skull as the chocolate fountain topper. Of course, drape cobwebs around the headstones and maybe litter a few bones around the table. Liquid smoke can create a ghostly atmosphere around the table, and the haunted illusion will be complete!

Dipping treats could include piles of white marshmallows and bite size angel food cake against dark chocolate brownies and mini cupcakes with black icing, simulating the fight between the good ghosts and the evil ones. Blood-red strawberries and cherries are perfect for dipping into chocolate for chocolate fountains and remind guests of each ghost's bloody demise. Keep the lights low, and your creepy chocolate fountain party will thrill the palates and minds of your guests.

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