Let's Have a Colorful Ritter Sport Chocolate Party!

I LOVE getting to host parties with Tryazon! Especially when there is chocolate involved. This time, Ritter Sport Chocolates were sponsored. Mmmmm!

*Disclaimer - I was sent this party pack in exchange for hosting a party and then sharing my reviews. I was not otherwise paid or endorsed. All opinions are my own or of my guests.*

Ritter Sport Chocolates are a German-made, family-owned brand that has been making delicious chocolates since 1912. It is amazing! So light and creamy. I received so many flavors to try as well as share. So let me tell you about each one. 

Milk Chocolate with Cornflakes

This one has a creamy milk chocolate with cornflakes in the middle. My husbands first comment on it was that it was like a Crunch bar, but way creamier! I concur. Your first thought might be like mine, Seriously?? But let me tell you, it was good! I think it was easily my favorite.

Dark Chocolate with Marzipan Filling

The marzipans' sweetness offset the dark chocolate extremely well! I really enjoyed it. One guest was not a fan. They thought it had an aftertaste. I didn't catch any. 

Alpine Milk Chocolate

This would be the one you might compare to something like a Hershey's bar. My husband and I both thought it was less processed in taste. A great creamy chocolate. I only wished we had tried it on s'mores!

Milk Chocolate with Whole Hazelnuts

This one was really interesting. Some guests thought it would be better with a different nut - like cashews, while some were fine with it. I suppose it just depends on whether you like hazelnuts or not. The chocolate was still just as creamy. 

Milk Chocolate Whole Almonds vs Dark Chocolate Whole Almonds

I am not entirely alone in loving the dark chocolate, but from this test we discovered that the majority prefers the milk chocolate. And most of them said it would be better without the almonds. Not a favored nut from this group. 

Milk Chocolate with Butter Biscuit and Cocoa Creme

This one was a favorite of everyone that tried it. I actually had requests for more, only there weren't any left!  

Milk Chocolate with Honey Sea-Salt Almonds

Despite there being almonds (not a favored nut for those trying), this one was liked. It had a sweeter taste and the nuts weren't too.... hmm, dry? Not sure how to describe this one any better than that.

Overall, I think everyone walked away with a new love for Ritter Sport chocolates. I'm even looking at the local stores now to see who carries which kinds. 

So what kind would you want to try?? Have you already tried them? Let me know in the comments below. And I'll be looking forward to hearing from you guys! Until next time. 

Touring Susie's South Forty in Midland

When my husband and I first moved here, we talked about visiting a place called Susie's South Forty. We were given a gift basket from our realtor to welcome us into our new home. And her goodies were included in it. Susie's is situated right next door to the Downtown Library, so we saw it often. But actually going in was difficult with my husbands schedule. So when another homeschool family requested a tour, we gladly jumped in with them! 

Susie's is a confectionery of unique proportions. She, Susie, is still in the lead. There are two locations here. She began this business with the help of a 40 acre pecan tree farm making toffee candies with the pecans on the south side of town. Thus the name including Susie, South, and Forty. But she didn't stop, didn't slow down. Kept pushing forward. And from her labors, she has born quite the impressive business. She even made her factory kid-friendly with glass plate windows that allow you to see the process and drool over the fresh made candies. 

We watched them make a fresh batch of their popular caramel popcorn, hand-dipped chocolate covered sea salted caramels, coating of Winners by the chocolate conveyor, and finally - my previous favorite - how they make the Texas Trash! I say this last one was my favorite until I bought and tried the Kicker Pralines. Interestingly, Susie used to be a dance teacher (thus the classic cowboy boot shape for the box). This is how the name Kicker came into play. They are amazing! Creamy caramels with pecans inside. Mmmmm! Making my mouth water all over again. We tried the Raspberry Bark. It was so creamy and flavorful. I'm usually not a fan of raspberry, but I really liked it. I think I'd love to try the Key Lime Pretzels next time.

Once the tour finished, each kid was given their very own workers cap to wear. Then they were allowed to dip their own cookies in the chocolate fountain. Some of the youngest kids wistfully wished to dip their whole hands, but we insisted that would NOT be allowed. Secretly, these girls take after my own heart. Belgium chocolate is amazing, with or without being a coating. 

Lastly, you step out into a magnificent shop. Here, you can find all kinds of gift-worthy options. Not sure if something is delicious enough? They offer samples to try as well as descriptions of what was included in the making. My kids loved this part! 

I didn't have much money on me when we went, but I was able to buy 6 taffy candies of various flavors. They had so many flavors that it was difficult to choose one for each of us. For the 6, it came to be .70. Then I bought a Kicker Praline for $2 and a Dreamy Praline for $2.50. As far as the pralines go, the adult consensus was that the Kicker was better. Not that the Dreamy wasn't good, just that original was better. 

I hope to go back one day soon. This time I want my husband to join us. Partly because he has the money... Just kidding! I think he would enjoy it! They have a beautiful reception room with tables and chairs. Here is also where you can see the Guinness World Record winning toffee mold they used to make the world's largest toffee. They have maps showing their ability to have shipped orders to all 50 states and 35 different countries! I was impressed to see that they also offer delivery to locals in Midland, as well as Odessa.

So if you stop by Midland, make sure that Susie's is on your list of places to see.

Mrs. Cavanaugh's Candies review via US Family Guide

I was recently chosen to write a review after trying some of Mrs. Cavanaugh's fine chocolates.

I was sent an assortment one pound pack and a few of the bars to base my review on.

The Mindy Mint bar is 1.8 ounces or fine milk chocolate truffle.

                It had to be my favorite out of everything I received. 

It's smooth, with a beautiful amount of mint to balance it out.The sample box contained truffles of orange creme, raspberry, caramel, and even some with pecans among other flavors.

Sorry I didn't get a picture before digging in... but I couldn't help myself!

Each one was creamy and a delight to the palette. The white chocolate Trinidad was a mix of nuts and caramel, covered in white chocolate. I'm not often a fan of chocolate having nuts mixed in, but these chocolates were fantastic! They are creamy and rich in flavor. The pecans or nuts in each one are mixed well enough to make the amazing blend. My only complaint would be not having a better guide to know what was in each truffle. I like being surprised from time to time, but I don't like all the flavors. Coconut wouldn't have been a pleasant taste to me. Knowing what each one was would have made my selections easier. The picture guide included in the box wasn't as helpful as it could've been.

This is perfect for sharing with friends, whether at a party or just because.
There is no trans fat, preservatives, or hydrogenated oils in these chocolates. I'm also happy to say they are made right here in the United States. You aren't just eating healthier, but you are boosting our nations economy.

Go to http://www.mrscavanaughs.com/  to checkout what they have to offer. Christmas is right around the corner. Parties, incoming visitors, and gifts to give all come to mind with such a sweet treat! You can create a box or pick something already designed.

You can also get free gift wrap added!

Ghirardelli savings! Sweetness ;-)

http://www.ghirardelli.com/commit

Ghirardelli is offering up a $1/1 bar or bag coupon for anyone who decides to "commit" to 21 Quality Moments. So take a moment to join and reap the sweet rewards!

Easy Dark Chocolate Fudge

In the moodfor some yummy dark chocolate fudge? Here is a truly simplerecipe for an amazing batch of fudge. I recently made some and took it to theapartment manager of our complex. In her words, “This is better than sex! Melts-in-your-mouth goodness.” Enjoy!

Dark Chocolate Fudge

Ingredients:

2 cups(as-oz. pkg.) Hershey’s Dark Chocolate Chips®

1 can(14oz.) sweetened condensed milk

1 teaspoonvanilla extract

(walnuts orother nuts are optional, I prefer my fudge to be straight up chocolate)

Directions:

Line 8 or 9inch square baking pan with foil.

Combine morsels and sweetened condensed milk in medium, heavy-duty saucepan. Warm overlowest possible heat, stirring until smooth.

Remove from heat; stir in vanilla extract (and nuts if you are adding them).

Spread evenly into prepared baking pan. Refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm. Lift from pan; remove foil. Cut into pieces.

***Warning: This comesout to be very rich, so I cut it into bite sized pieces.***