candy

Lolli & Pops

A Sweet Shop

Easter is right around the corner! That’s big news. According to GoodHousekeeping.com, “In 2018, Americans were estimated to have spent $18.2 billion on Easter.” That means we take our lilies, lamb cakes, and jelly beans very seriously. All kinds of research has been done to find out our resurrection day preferences (hey, they’ve got to sell us what we want). For example, do you know the best selling candy outside of chocolate? Peeps! More than 700 million Peeps are purchased in America during easter. And when eating our chocolate bunnies, 76% of Americans eat the head first. (PopSugar) Why that’s important, we don’t know… but a large portion of our population can relate!

What we do know, is that there is a charming candy store in town, Lolli & Pops, ready for you to explore. And they offer all kinds of candy so you can fill those baskets!

From hand crafted chocolate confections, to macarons, and specially flavored gummy bears, they’ve got you covered.

Looking for that Old World treat that grandma used to give, or that you fell for on a trip abroad? Give Lolli & Pops a shot.

Maybe you wish you could find that childhood favorite? A lasting sweet impression of yesteryear… It’s possible Lolli & Pops has that too. From classic turn of the century peppermint sticks or Mary Jane’s, to mid century lover’s Bit-O-Honey, and children of the 80’s Now & Laters… they’ve got it.

We appreciate a place that dedicates a whole section of their products to Nut & Allergen free, as well as, Sugar free for those with specific dietary needs. We also respect categorizing the shelves by appeal, such as “Don’t Be Sour,” for those who love to pucker and squint. But we really love when people get creative with their flavor profiles! Cereal Milk and Waffles & Syrup candy bars? We’re so curious… What do those taste like? Inquiring minds want to know!

So if you’re looking to fill those baskets with special and unique candy… If you want to brighten someone’s day with a thoughtful treat… If you just need to satisfy your own sweet tooth… We have an idea for you! Lolli & Pops!

Thank you Lolli & Pops of 12 Oaks Mall in Novi! If you are in the area, you can find them at 27494 Novi Rd Ste B, Novi, MI 48377 (248) 378-1006

Or, for a Location near you, try lolliandpops.com! (And they deliver 😉 )

Loving Lately ?

Loving Lately: Dave’s Sweet Tooth Toffee

So when I started with my “Loving Lately” series I was certain I was going to share my favorite gadgets and ingredients. And I have to some extent. But I get so carried away with my enjoyment of pictures and places, that come Thursday it’s all I can think about… Until I’m struck (once again) by the best toffee ever. Let me reiterate. BEST. TOFFEE. EVER. I’ve tried a lot of toffee. Do you know my dad? And it’s not just because this toffee was made in Michigan (for which I am proud) or that it coincidentally share’s its name with my dad. I would have to acknowledge this toffee from anywhere, and with any name because it is AWESOME! And if you are not in Michigan or thereabouts, you can just B-line it for their website DavesSweetTooth.com. You’re welcome.

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Life Bellissima’s Peanut Butter Fudge

I’ve only attempted fudge a few times in my life- and not very successfully. It seems like it should just be something in one’s repertoire. Like every homemaker makes fudge, at least in my mind. Once I even tried making a sugar-free fudge for my diabetic grandmother, which was a disaster. I live hours away from Mackinac Island, where they produce world famous and delicious fudge. It’s just like one of those things that has been a part of my life all of my life. Making good fudge is important! Is it a Michigan thing? Is any of this making sense?

Then came Anna of Life Bellissima. She shared a Peanut Butter Fudge recipe that was special to her, because it’s the same recipe her dad used to make. And I thought to myself, “I’m going to try again.” And I can now feel comfortable saying that I do make fudge- good fudge, successfully (at least one kind of it). I have my own family recipe! My husband and kids loved it, and my kids had fun helping me make it.

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My favorite tip was that Anna said to pour it onto a plate! My first reaction was no way, it’s going to go everywhere and make a hot mess! But, mind you, I’ve never been successful at fudge making. And I thought about the times I’ve tried to dig it out of a baking dish… or try to prep a dish with wax paper. And I trust Anna, and if she said that’s how she does it, then by golly that’s how I’ll do it! I dumped that hot peanut butter fudge right onto a large (buttered) dinner plate, and it worked!


Without further ado, straight from Life Bellissima:

Sue’s Easy 15-Minute Peanut Butter Fudge

*I prefer to use organic ingredients

-In medium saucepan, combine:

1 cup raw cane sugar

1 cup light brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup milk

-Stir with a wooden spoon until mixture begins to softly boil. Cook to 240 degrees. (For some reason, mine tends to heat fairly quickly, and I take it off of the burner at 230 degrees.)

-Remove from heat, and add:

1 cup mini marshmallows (or homemade marshmallow recipe here)

1/2 cup peanut butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

-Mix with a wooden spoon for several minutes. Candy will become creamy, thicken and start to lose it’s gloss.

-Spread onto a buttered dish (Dad and I always used a large dinner plate.)

-This recipe can easily be doubled.

Thank you Anna for a great new recipe!

And I’ve had a request for Life Bellissima’s Homemade Marshmallow recipe too. Which she got from www.kitchenfrau.com, who got the no-fail recipe from her mother-in-law, Mabel’s cookbook. Don’t you just love modern conveniences? She includes some great step-by-step photos too. (Just click on the website above!)

 

Crockpot Toffee Nut Clusters

When I think about what I like in a candy, it usually involves chocolate and nuts, chewy and crunchy, sweet and salty. I also really love toffee. Lucky for me there is really not much I don’t like. And even luckier for me, these little clusters of goodness have it all! Recently I shared with you about my cousin Charlotte. Thankfully she shared this recipe with me! It really couldn’t get much easier either. It makes a lot of these chocolatey and nutty packages, so it’s great for giving as gifts or sharing at the office. And not to worry, if there are still leftovers… they freeze well too. Enjoy!

2 small jars (16 oz each) dry roasted peanuts (1 salted, 1 unsalted)

3 lbs or blocks of white almond bark, vanilla Candiquick or vanilla candy coating, chopped into small pieces

1/2 lb Bakers semi-sweet chocolate, chopped into small pieces

1 bag Heath chips

1 bag Milk chocolate chips

1 bag Semi sweet chocolate chips

*Also a full size crockpot, a sturdy spoon and a strong arm 😉

Put everything in the crockpot on low. Stir often. When all is melted and no more dashes of white or dark spots of chocolate can be seen (about an hour), spoon in globs on wax or parchment paper until it hardens (a couple more hours).

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And you get to feel like a chocolatier, so that’s cool.

It makes a vat full, so be prepared to share or freeze the clusters and bring them out in batches. They will last a few months in the freezer.