Who doesn't love chocolate? It's a universal passion!
Over the years I've sampled much in the way of chocolate, received many chocolate gifts and been inspired by chocolate decadance. This lens contains some of my very favorite chocolate sites and ideas. Everything from a classic kiss - to a work of art - to the authentic global journey from cocoa 'bean' to final desitination.
There's a little something for everyone here. Hats off to the chocolate culture. Enjoy and happy sampling.
Best Chocolate Gifts
The first module below is a variety of links to a variety of great chocolate gift ideas. Make someone happy by giving them a little (or a lot) of chocolate indulgence.
Give the Gift of Great Chocolate
- Best Authentic Chocolate Journey
- I received the most beautiful box of chocolate from Amedei. Each piece has a story. The chocolate is 70% cocoa (which translates to good for your heart!), the packaging is impeccable and the jouney is a wonderful story to share with others. Check this one out for certain!
- Best Chocolate Connection
- Did you know that 1 ounce of a 70% cocoa piece of chocolate is actually good for you? Bring it on! This website will allow you to explore all kids of chocolate and chat with others about their favorites.
- Best Way to Give Frozen Hot Chocolate
- The one, the only, the original....like no other chocolate in the world....Serendipity made this one famous. There is also a recipe link a few modules below.
- Best Chocolate Gift Boxes
- Want to give a 'WOW' gift? Check this out!
- Best Chocolate Original Art
- Want to be immortalized in chocolate???? This is your place!
- Best Retro Chocolate and Candy
- Modern chocolate with a retro twist. Enjoy!
- Best Vintage Posters of Chocolate
- Want to decorate your kitchen in a retro chocolate theme? Art.com has all you need....
- Best 5 lb. Bar
- It's a classic. What's not to love?
- Best Teacher Gifts
- Chocolate for any diva or teacher in your life...enough said.
- Chocolate of the month club
- The gift that keeps on giving...
- Mackinac Island Fudge
- There are lots of imitations out there - but only one real, true Mackinac Island Fudge.
- Want to win her heart this valentine's day?
- Whoa. Nuf said.
- Bite Me
- Fun for just us girls
- 62 different unusual chcolate scented gifts
- There's something for everyone here.
Best Chocolate Recipes
The links below will hook you up with a variety of recipes for chocolate cookies, cakes, pies, drinks, desserts, fudge and other goodies.
Best Chocolate Recipes
- Best Chocolate Chip Cookies Galore
- This recipe site will give you access to 20 variations of an old-time favorite.
- Classic Nestle TollHouse Cookies
- How could we live without it? We grew up with it.
- Best Chocolate Pie
- Just dreamy!!!! See photo and recipe and reviews of this yummy bakers treat.
- Serendipity Frozen Hot Chocolate
- I served this for dessert on New Year's Eve. It's alway a huge crowd pleaser. If you can't make it to NYC's Serendipity, you can make their world famous frozen hot chocolate in the comfort of your own home. This one is a real crowd pleaser. Add a little Bailey's, Kahlua, or Starbucks liquer for a great adult dessert drink.
- 30+ S'mores recipes
- Every variation you can imagine....
- Best Hot Chocolate Recipe
- Great on a cold winter's night
- Best gourmet chocolate brownies
- Emeril rules!
- Mayan Hot Chocolate
- A little hot chocolate history...
- White Chocolate Coffee
- A wonderful way to start the day
- A variety of delicious fudge
- Variations on a great classic chocolate delight.
- Rachel Ray's 5 minute fudge
- Simple, easy, and delish. Yum-O!
Other Great Chocolate Ideas
- A little daily inspiration...
- A little daily sweet inspiration can get you moving in the right direction.....
- The History of Chocolate
- A great read for the chocoholics in your life.
- Old Time Recipes and Gatherings
- A book full of great ideas.
- Calling on chocolate chefs...
- Why not learn from the best? Grab a friend and take a class!
- A Chicago Favorite
- Want to open your own chocolate shop? Learn from the experts who have been around since 1939.
- 15 links
- This newsletter will link you to everything from chocolate tees to chocolate cigars.
- A little trivia
- How much does chocolate impact valentine's day sales????
- Chocolate with a heart.
- Give something back...
- Whipped Cocoa Bath
- Yes, you read that right. Love chocolate enough to bathe in it? Check this link out.
- Valentine's Day Getaway
- Perfect couple getaway...
- A Blissful Chocolate Pedicure
- In a city near you....or you can order the home version.
- Chocolate scented T-shirt
- What a great idea...
A SPECIAL BONUS
GiGi's Top Secret Chocolate Dumpling Recipe
This receipe has been in my family for 4 generations. I can remember my grandmother making them for me as a special treat. My mom ran across my great grandmother's (GiGi) hand-written recipe the other day. I decided to share it with the squidoo world.
It's easy to do. It's ready in under 30 minutes. It's all prepared on the stovetop. It will make whoever tastes it melt. It's unbelievably decadent. Enjoy!
DUMPLINGS:
1 cup pancake mix or Bisquik
1/2 cup milk
1 egg
1 TBS. melted butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
Mix above ingredients in a bowl and add to a large frying pan. Stir until they start to stick together or become doughlike.
SAUCE:
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
4 TBS corn starch
2 1/2-3 cups water
2 TBSP melted butter
1 tsp vanilla
Mix sauce ingredients in bown until smooth
Add sauce to dumplings in pan, cover and cook for 30 minutes on low/med heat. Uncover and cook on low for 10 additional minutes or until desired consistency.
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or milk.
It's easy to do. It's ready in under 30 minutes. It's all prepared on the stovetop. It will make whoever tastes it melt. It's unbelievably decadent. Enjoy!
DUMPLINGS:
1 cup pancake mix or Bisquik
1/2 cup milk
1 egg
1 TBS. melted butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
Mix above ingredients in a bowl and add to a large frying pan. Stir until they start to stick together or become doughlike.
SAUCE:
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
4 TBS corn starch
2 1/2-3 cups water
2 TBSP melted butter
1 tsp vanilla
Mix sauce ingredients in bown until smooth
Add sauce to dumplings in pan, cover and cook for 30 minutes on low/med heat. Uncover and cook on low for 10 additional minutes or until desired consistency.
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or milk.
Great Chocolate on Amazon
Chocolat (Miramax Collector's Series)
A chocolate chick flick that will light your desire!
Amazon Price: $11.99 (as of 12/29/2009) 
The Art of Chocolate: Techniques and Recipes for Simply Spectacular Desserts and Confec tions
From basics to fancies.....
Amazon Price: (as of 12/29/2009)
The Emperors of Chocolate: Inside the Secret World of Hershey and Mars
Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 12/29/2009)
Chocolate: A Bittersweet Saga of Dark and Light
A classic tale of good and evil....:)
Amazon Price: $19.20 (as of 12/29/2009)
"It's A Girl" Royale Cigars in Cigar Box
Better than the real thing
Amazon Price: (as of 12/29/2009)
"It's A Boy" Royale Cigars in Cigar Box
Also better than the real thing
Amazon Price: (as of 12/29/2009)
by DesignDiva
Bonafide chocoholic. Lover of all that is at least 70% cocoa. Always carry an avid supply of chocolate decadance - enough to feed the bloc...
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