How you doin’? There are all levels in making chocolate confections—from fine molded truffles to beautiful slabs of creamy fudge. Not too many of us have the bandwidth or skill to make decorative truffles, but most of us can whip up a batch of chocolate fudge. Any occasion is made sweeter with large squares of delightful fudge.
 
Check out my easy fudge recipe made with unsweetened cocoa powder. Be the first in your family to show up at the end of summer Labor Day picnic or family get-together with homemade fudge in hand.  Everyone will be asking you how to make fudge from scratch!
 
Make up one pan for yourself and double the recipe for the rest of your family and friends. An easy fudge recipe should be a staple in every kitchen all year ‘round.
 
Check out the ChefSecret below to learn how to enhance an already great confection. If you’re feeling extra frivolous, add nuts, marshmallows and other sweets for a delicious spin on the fudgy classic.
 
Prep time:  5 minutes
Cook time:  25 minutes
Cool time:  1 hour, 30 minutes
Yield:  1-3/4 pounds
 
Ingredients 
3 cups granulated sugar
2/3  cup unsweetened cocoa powder (I prefer Guittard Dark Cocoa Powder)
1/8 teaspoon table salt
1-1/2 cups whole milk
1 stick unsalted butter (1/4 cup)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
 
Directions

1. Line an 8-or 9-inch square pan with foil, extending foil over edges of pan.
2. Butter the foil.
3. Mix the sugar, cocoa and salt in a heavy 4-quart saucepan; stir in milk.
4. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a full rolling boil.
5.  Boil, without stirring, until mixture reaches 234°F on candy thermometer or until small amount of mixture dropped into very cold water, forms a soft ball which flattens when removed from water. (Note: for an accurate temperature, the bulb of the candy thermometer should not rest on bottom of the saucepan).
6. Remove the mixture from heat.
7. Add butter and vanilla. Do not stir. Cool at room temperature to 110°F (lukewarm).
8. Beat the mixture with a handheld electric mixer until fudge thickens and just begins to lose some of its gloss (about 5 minutes).
9. Quickly spread the mixture in the prepared pan; cool completely for an hour and a half.
10. Cut into squares.
11. Store in a tightly covered container at room temperature.

​ChefSecret: Follow the directions exactly. Beat too little and the fudge is too soft. Beat too long and it becomes hard and grainy.
 
Be creative for a nutty addition… beat cooked the fudge as directed. Immediately stir in 1 cup chopped almonds, pecans or walnuts and spread quickly into the prepared pan.
 
To cut a little of the sweetness, top the fudge with a few pinches of sea salt.
 
Quip of the Day:  Recently my aunt came to me and asked if I would like some fudge. I enthusiastically accepted.
Her: "Male Fudge or Female Fudge?"
Me: "What's the difference?"
Her: "Male Fudge has nuts!"
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Do you have a question or comment?  Send your thoughts to [email protected]. All recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/covid-19-survival-guide.
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To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, positive, stay well, stay safe and be kind. Take a breath and count your blessings, and if you have a little extra to share with others, please consider donating to  Feeding America, Tunnel to Towers, Union Rescue Mission and/or American Red Cross.

#Confection #Snack #ChocolateFudge #Fudge #EndofSummerFudge #Guittard #LaborDayTreats #2024Recipes #T2T #URM #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup  
 
                                                                              ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2024

How you doin’? One of my favorite things to do this time of year is go to state fairs and eat, eat and EAT! Let’s be honest, isn’t that why you go to the fair? State Fairs just wouldn’t be the same without “fair food” and fair food is great food.
 
The Wisconsin State Fair kicked off on  August 1st. This is Joan’s hometown fair and that explains a lot. This year the Wisconsin State Fair celebrated 173 years (Joan is considerably younger than that but has great fair memories nevertheless), and Joan's cousins' -- The Lepeskas -- were honored for 150 years of family owned and operated farm in Stitzer, Wisconsin.

Cream puffs are a recent addition, only being around for the last 100 years. This year is the 100th Birthday for the Original Cream Puff at the Wisconsin State Fair. This treat has been sold at the Wisconsin State Fair since 1924. It’s the most popular food item for fairgoers every year. With all of the “cafeteria ladies” pitching in to get them to all the hungry fair goers. 
 
How good are they? Here's a tasty fact—the  Wisconsin State Fair sells approximately 30,000 Original Cream Puffs each day during the fair—count ‘em—30,000 a day!
 
This year, the Wisconsin State Fair released brand new, limited-edition flavors throughout the fair including Root Beer Float Cream Puffs, Raspberry Cheesecake Cream Puffs, English Toffee Cream Puffs and Chocolate Birthday Cake Cream Puff. The Original Cream Puff was also available. You can find the original fair cream puff recipe further down in this blog.
 
But you can’t live on cream puffs alone. At the fair this year you could have found hundreds of locations offering over a thousand food and beverage menu choices, it’s little wonder that food is one of the top reasons people visit the State Fair.
 
A few of the newer items were Alligator Tacos--A taco shell filled with alligator meat that is smoked, chopped and seasoned with taco seasoning served with Cajun sour cream, cheese, salsa and jalapeños. Then there were the Asian Sweet & Sticky Tots slathered in a sauce that has hoisin, Asian chili, rice vinegar, sesame oil and ginger, and topped with scallions and sesame seeds.
 
And my favorite savory food from this fair was the Beer Cheese and Brat Spud Muffin. With a nod  to Wisconsin tradition, it combines beer, cheese and brats to create a fun take on a potato pancake—a spud muffin! The Beer Cheese and Brat Spud Muffin features a cheesy hashbrown mixture, infused with beer cheese and bratwurst, baked in muffin pans to form this delicious snack.

Then there was the Cool Ranch Doritos Pickle! This large dill pickle was spiral-cut on-a-stick, rolled into crushed up Cool Ranch Doritos, and you guessed it, deep-fried. Served up with ranch dressing for dipping.

Unfortunately, we missed this year's fair by a day (it ended yesterday), but be sure to mark your calendars for 2025... 7/31/25-8/10/25 West Allis, Wisconsin. 

                                      Wisconsin State Fair Cream Puffs
Here is the basic state fair cream puff recipe you can use as the base for your creative rendition.
 
Prep time:  15 minutes
Bake time:  35 minutes
Cool time:  45 minutes
Fill time:  10 minutes
Yield:  12 cream puffs
 
Ingredients
For the puffs
1 cup water
4 tablespoons (1/2-stick) unsalted butter
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup sifted flour
4 large eggs
1 lightly beaten large egg yolk
2 tablespoons milk
2 cups whipped cream filling
 
For the whipped cream
1 cup whipping cream (see ChefSecret)
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 tablespoon confectioners’ (or sweetened to taste)
 
Directions
To make the puffs

1. Put the water into heavy saucepan. Add the butter that has been cut into small pieces. Add the salt.
2. Heat over medium-low heat so butter melts before water boils. Bring water just to a boil.
3. Remove the pan from heat and add the flour all at once, stirring vigorously with a wooden spoon until dough forms into a ball at the bottom of pan. Let the dough rest for 5 minutes.
4. Preheat an oven to 375⁰ F.
5. Add the whole eggs to the dough, beating in one egg at a time. Dough should be stiff but smooth.
6. Immediately drop 1/4-cupfuls of dough 3 inches apart on parchment lined sheet pans.

Note: For a neater appearance, use a pastry bag with a 3/4-inch plain tip and pipe dough onto baking sheet.

1. In small bowl, combine the egg yolk and milk.
2. Brush each puff with the glazing mixture, taking care not to let liquid drop onto pan.
3. Bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes until puffed, golden brown and firm.
4. Cool puffs on wire racks, pricking each with a cake tester or toothpick to allow steam to escape; or leave them in turned-off oven with door dropped open for about an hour until firm.

Note: If baked pastry is filled before it is cool and firm, it will be soggy and may collapse. Baked puffs should have hollow, moist interiors and crisp outer shells that are lightly browned.

1. Cut off the tops and fill with whipped cream (use a pastry bag with star tip or scoop with a large spoon). Replace tops of puffs and sprinkle with powdered sugar.

To make the whipped cream filling

1. Chill a bowl and the beaters.
2. Add the whipping cream and beat on high.
3. When the cream begins to hold shape add the vanilla extract and sugar.  
4. Stop beating just before cream gets stiff.
5. Chill until ready to use.

ChefSecret:  I use the same puff recipe for making baked French-style eclairs and fried New Orleans beignets.

Quip of the Day:  Why did the pastry chef get angry at the dough? It was acting like a puff pastry.
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Do you have a question or comment? Send your thoughts to [email protected]. All recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/covid-19-survival-guide.
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To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, positive, stay well, stay safe and be kind. Take a breath and count your blessings, and if you have a little extra to share with others, please consider donating to  Feeding America, Tunnel to Towers, Union Rescue Mission and/or American Red Cross.
 
#Dessert #WisconsinStateFair #CreamPuffs #StateFairCreamPuffs #WhippedCream #FairFood #2024Recipes #T2T #URM #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup 
 
                                                                            ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2024

How you doin? Just because Joan and I owned Choclatique, an award winning chocolate company, most people think we are chocolate snobs—we’re not! In my mind, there’s no such thing as bad chocolate—it’s kind of like sex—some is better than others.
 
I grew up on Hershey’s and See’s chocolate and I still have a warm spot in my heart for both. Hershey’s has the world of chocolate kisses covered. One summer I started rolling the foil from the kisses until I had a soft ball size ball and a spare tire around my stomach. Hershey’s kisses still have a great function for making desserts.
 
These Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Cups are a dessert dream come true—a golden Blondie cup topped with a scoop of velvety ice cream, a drizzle of sweet HERSHEY’S Strawberry Syrup, then topped with a sweet surprise–a HERSHEY’S KISSES Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Candy. It’s the perfect recipe that incorporates all of the delicious summer flavors in every bite.
 
Prep time:  20 minutes
Bake time:  18 minutes
Yield:  12 blondie cone cups
Cool time:   2 hours, 15 minutes
 
Ingredients 
For the chewy blondie cups
1-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
6 tablespoons melted butter
1 cup packed light brown sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs
12 small scoops of vanilla or strawberry ice cream
12 HERSHEY'S KISSES Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Candy https://tinyurl.com/bddkaj23
2 tablespoons pink chocolate sprinkles
4 tablespoons strawberry syrup
 
Directions
To make the chewy blondie cups

1. Heat an oven to 350° F.
2. Line 12 muffin cups (2-1/2 inches in diameter) with paper or foil baking cups.
3. Stir together the flour, baking powder and salt and set aside.
4. Stir together the melted butter, brown sugar and vanilla in large bowl.
5. Add the eggs and stir until well blended.
6. Stir in the flour mixture, blending well.
7. Fill each prepared muffin cup about 1/2 full of the batter.
8. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until tops are lightly browned and cake tester inserted in centers comes out clean.
9. Remove the muffin pan from oven.
10. Using the back of a spoon immediately press indentation into the top of the blondies to form shallow cups.
11. Cool completely in pan on wire rack.

To assemble the Strawberry Ice Cream Cups

1. Remove paper liner from blondie cup, place on dessert plate.
2. Top with ice cream, strawberry syrup and sprinkles.
3. Garnish with HERSHEY'S KISSES Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Candy.
4. Serve immediately.

ChefSecret:  You can easily change this over to a milk chocolate dessert with a Hershey’s Chocolate Kiss and chocolate syrup.

Quip of the Day:  Why did the Hershey kiss go to space? To fulfill its Milky Way dreams!
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Do you have a question or comment?  Send your thoughts to [email protected]. All recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/covid-19-survival-guide.
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To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, positive, stay well, stay safe and be kind. Take a breath and count your blessings, and if you have a little extra to share with others, please consider donating to  Feeding America, Tunnel to Towers, Union Rescue Mission and/or American Red Cross.

#Dessert #StrawberryIceCreamConeCups #Blondies #IceCreamDessert #HersheyKisses #2024Recipes #T2T #URM #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup 
                                                                              ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2024

How you doin’? I like S'mores but don’t often find myself in the wild sitting by an open campfire and I don’t have a fire pit. So here is an easy indoors recipe made in a bowl with a microwave oven.
 
This recipe uses all the essential ingredients—milk chocolate, crumbled graham crackers and miniature marshmallows. It looks so good you'll want to grab a spoon and dig in as soon as you see how good a Bowl of  S’mores looks. This is an easy, beginner-friendly recipe that takes just three minutes to prepare and requires only three ingredients.
 
Aside from the three ingredients, you will need a microwave safe bowl and a microwave. You’ll have mini desserts in a bowl in no time for your next indoor bed spread picnic or a fun summer dessert. Everyone will be thrilled and surprised.
 
Prep time:  About 3 minutes
Yield:  1 serving
 
Ingredients 
1 full-size graham cracker sheet
1/2 milk chocolate bar (I prefer Hershey's Milk Chocolate)
15 miniature marshmallows (I prefer Kraft Puffed Minis)
 
Directions

1. Break the graham cracker sheet and milk chocolate bar into pieces in a microwave safe bowl.  
2. Place the bowl in the microwave; shake gently or stir to mix up pieces.
3. Microwave on high for 15 seconds.
4. Add marshmallows; microwave an additional 15 seconds on high.
5. Stir to marble the contents.
6. Serve immediately. You can use additional graham crackers to dip into the goo. You could also add a scoop of ice cream for a hot/cold treat.

ChefSecret:  Try doing it in a cone. Follow the mixing directions above and stuff the uncooked ingredients in a waffle cone. Microwave on high for 20 to 30 seconds. Wrap in a napkin and serve. No campfire required to make melty S'mores in a Cone.

Quip of the Day: I’m on a S’mores diet. Whenever I see S’mores, I eat them.
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Do you have a question or comment? Send your favorite recipes, pictures or thoughts to [email protected]. Recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/covid-19-survival-guide.
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To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, positive, stay well, stay safe and be kind. Take a breath and count your blessings, and if you have a little extra to share with others, please consider donating to  Feeding America, Tunnel to Towers, Union Rescue Mission and/or American Red Cross.
 
#Dessert #Snack #Smores #BowlOfSmores #Chocolate #GrahamCracker #MiniMarshmallows #4thOfJuly #2024Recipes #T2T #URM #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup  
                                                                                                            ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2024

This Valentine’s Surprise Brownie Kiss Truffles recipe is easy to make and easier to love. With fudgy brownie on the outside and Hershey’s Kisses Vanilla Frosting on the inside.
 
The candy hidden on the inside will surprise your guests and even yourself with how delicious they are. Bookmark this recipe because you can customize every batch with your favorite toppings like seasonal sprinkles, coconut flakes or chopped nuts. You can also use another flavored Kiss to make every bite a surprise.
 
Prep time:  25 minutes
Bake time:  35 minutes
Cool time:  2 hours
Yield:  36 truffles
 
Ingredients 
1 pan fudgy brownie from mix or your favorite brownies recipe (13 x 9 x 2-inch)
36 Hershey's Kisses Vanilla Frosting Filled Milk Chocolates
1 cup roasted finely chopped nuts of your choice, lightly toasted sweetened coconut flakes, sprinkles or nonpareils for rolling.
 
Directions

1. Following the package or recipe directions prepare fudgy bake brownies in foil-lined pan with foil extending beyond pan edges.
2. Cool the brownies completely in pan.
3. Remove the wrappers from the chocolate Kisses and set aside.
4. Using foil as handles, lift brownie out of pan.
5. Cut off brownie edges and save them for your kiddies when they’re on their best behavior.
6. With your hands, knead and roll the remaining baked brownie until it forms one large ball.
7. Divide the brownie ball into 36 (about 1-1/4 inch) balls.
8. Flatten each ball slightly and press around one Kiss forming ball, covering the kiss completely.
9. Roll the truffle balls in nuts, coconut, sprinkles or nonpareils.
10. Place in a cool place to set-up.

ChefSecret:  You can mix up your flavor of Kisses and the crumbles coating the outside of your truffle to suit any holiday or celebration or just your own whims.

Storage: Store truffles in a closed container in your refrigerator for up to 7 days.

Quip of the Day:  Let’s seal our love with a Hershey’s Kiss.
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Do you have a question or comment? Send your thoughts to [email protected]. All recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/covid-19-survival-guide.
-------------------------------------------
To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, positive, stay well, stay safe and be kind. Take a breath and count your blessings, and if you have a little extra to share with others, please consider donating to  Feeding America, Tunnel to Towers, Union Rescue Mission and/or American Red Cross.

#ValentinesSurprise #BrownieKissTruffles #Hershey #BrownieTruffles #HappyValentinesDay #2024 #T2T #URM #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup 

                                                                               ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2024