Fact: Dads love chocolate too

Right?

I know it's late to jump on the Father's Day band wagon, but here I am at the absolute last minute throwing some bait out in the hopes of catching a few other procrastinators. With any luck, some of you will take one look at this beaut and won't be able to resist.

This gorgeous slice of heaven is my Triple Chocolate Bundt Cake. Technically its a quadruple chocolate cake, but, lets face it, that just doesn't have the same ring to it... It's the perfect balance of chocolatey richness without being heavy or dense. Made with semisweet chocolate, dutch cocoa and (my secret ingredient) mini chips, its then topped with a velvety chocolate glaze, making it oh-so moist and yummy.

I'm offering it at a reduced cost of $25, so if you don't order one for this weekend, consider ordering one later in the month just because.

And can I make a confession? I was so late getting this together that I didn't get a diverse selection of pictures and it's driving me crazy. I hate to admit it but this is the best shot of the lot and the same image you've all seen in my email and menu. And, to top it off, it's not far off from my IG shot too. /sigh/ Believe it or not, it takes almost as long to take and edit the pictures as it does to make the cake itself. I always try to get a few different angles to mix it up in the hopes of making it more dynamic, but there just wasn't time as I squeezed in a few shots before the last of the decent light disappeared for the day. On the flip side, I count my lucky stars that I got one good shot cause it really could have tanked. lol

Anyway, I hope you all have a great weekend, especially the fathers out there. And if you happen to order a cake, it's practically a guarantee your weekend is going to rock.

Oh, and for all you InstaGrammers, check me out @truffle_girl (or online at http://instagram.com/truffle_girl) for a glimpse of what's shakin' over here. 

Until next time.....

Fact: Moms love chocolate

By special request this Mother's Day, I'm making a small batch of my oh so divine truffles. I will, of course, have extras to spare and am offering them up to all of you. First come first served, more info below.

And, honestly, of all the moms I know there's only one that doesn't like chocolate and that's simply because she doesn't do any sweets. At all. Ever. Crazy, right? But as for all the other moms, I can't imagine there's a single one out there that wouldn't love to receive a cup of truffles on the 11th. I know I would if I weren't the one making them. haha. And Lord knows there's nothing like the initial whiff of chocolate when you open the cup for the first time. mmmmm

What many of you may not know is that, in a way, these truffles are what really started my endeavor. I started making them for the holidays as gifts for friends, family and coworkers and over the years more and more people would approach me about buying extras to gift. And so, one year, I made a few extras and offered them up and, well, just kept going. Mind you, I've always baked and was repeatedly told I should be baking for a living not sitting behind a computer booking flights and scheduling meetings all day long, but I never really considered selling my goods until my truffles became so popular. And now I have these little bits of heaven to thank for where I am now: a stay at home mom with a sweet side business to be proud of... 

This is a teeny tiny glimpse what our kitchen looks like when there are truffles in progress. Everything reeks smells of chocolate for days on end and its like there's an army of little bonbons marching through. Fap has learned to steer clear as it can get kind of intense sometimes, particularly that one (and only) year I made double batches of each flavor, resulting in around 750 truffles. I still break out in a bit of a cold sweat when I think about it for too long. Yikes. Even still, in the 13 years I've been making them, I've only missed one year and that was when I was preggo with Nolan, I just didn't have the energy to make them in addition to all the other stuff going on during the holidays. 

After more than a decade there is no denying that I've got it down to a science and can crank them out in decent time, but they're still one of the most time consuming and labor intensive treats I make. But I continue to make them, during the holidays and by special order, simply because so many of you enjoy them and that's reason enough. 

I get so caught up in the butter, flour and sugar these days that I forget to stop and smell the truffles from time to time. So I hope you'll take this opportunity to grab a cup of truffles for your mom or someone you love and encourage them to take a moment to enjoy the simple pleasures in life, like scent of a handcrafted chocolate begging to be devoured.

Cheers to all of you out there, especially the moms!

Each cup includes equal amounts of these classic flavors:
       pure bittersweet chocolate, hazelnut, Grand Marnier and coconut

Available in the following sizes:

       8 cup       $12
       12 cup     $17
       16 cup     $22

Easter Goodness

I cannot believe that it's already mid month! How is it that Easter is just a week away? Are you feeling a little lot behind, like me? (Wait, do I ever feel up to speed? Not really!)

I have, however, managed to get one thing done: my Easter Special. Available all month, this 9" fresh fruit tart is crowd pleaser.

The shortbread-like crust is deliciously sweet and buttery, a perfect counterpoint to the creamy vanilla custard and bright fruit that adorn the top. The sample has a delicious combo of ripe mango, sweet-tart kiwis, blackberries and strawberries. I'm pretty certain the tarts will look quite similar, if not the same, but I can't guarantee that they will look exactly like this one simply because it all depends on what Berkeley Bowl has to offer and what looks ripe that day. 

This picture makes me want to dive in and devour the whole thing. Seriously. Look at that crust.

Tarts are priced competitively at $25. Well worth it to make your Easter plans easier; what with dying and hiding dozens of eggs, in addition to cooking for the family and cleaning up the house.... Who couldn't use a bit of convenience?

Happy Spring & Easter everyone!

Feel free to peruse my April menu for additional goodness. 

St. Patty's Day!

One of the few things I miss about working in an office are the social gatherings, whether its just going to lunch with friends or the company-sponsored variety. To bring back a bit of that spirit (those of you that work(ed) at Tippett might recall that March 17th was one of the best and most looked forward to work days of the year) I thought it'd be fun to celebrate St. Patrick's Day this year with an "adult" cupcake.....

Coffee infused chocolate cupcake with Bailey's Irish Cream buttercream!

This cupcake is absolutely sublime and not to be missed, so I'm pricing them to sell at $5 per pair. Now, mind you, there's actual Bailey's in the buttercream so this is an adults only treat -- sorry kiddies!

And, as always, if you have a special event coming up or would like to treat yourself to something different, feel free to peruse my menu or just call or email me and we can chat.

Have a great St. Patrick's Day and don't forget to wear your green on Monday!

Its been a year?!

Can you imagine my embarrassment when I realized it's been a full year since I last blogged?! Oh dear. Well, nothing to do but to jump right back in!

This Valentine's Day I'm offering a new cookie:

Chocolate-Dipped Espresso Shortbread Hearts (it's a mouthful in more ways that one!)

This sweetheart (har har!) is sure to please the chocolate and coffee lover in your life. Each crispy cookie is the perfect balance of sweet caramelize sugar and intense espresso, all melded with smooth semi-sweet chocolate. Sooo good. 

And to make them extra special and gift-worthy, I'm boxing them in a sweet little 4" box (with window to peek in) and tied with red and white twine and a red paper heart you can personalize to your special someone.

Available by the half or full dozen:

Half Dozen       $7
Dozen               $13

And if these don't float your boat, feel free to order something else off my menu below -- I'm here to please and entice your sweet tooth :)

Hope you all have a wonderful February and an especially sweet Valentine's Day!

xomelissa

February Specials | Red Velvet Two Ways

I just noticed that I never posted my Christmas specials on the blog.... wow, talk about dropping the ball, there really is no excuse for that kind of mistake -- sorry folks! And, no, I haven't forgotten that I promised a recap of my all my holiday baking. I promise to get right on that, scout's honor.

But, before I do all that, we really have to talk about February and all the fun it brings.... you know, like, the SUPER BOWL -- GOOOOOO 49ers! -- and Valentine's Day! 

This month we're revisiting my red velvet cupcakes cause nothing says love for the 49ers or your sweetheart like the color red. One of my all time best sellers, these moist cupcakes have just the right hint of cocoa and are generously topped with a classic cream cheese frosting. And to sweeten the deal even more, I'm doing two sizes this time around, full size and minis.

For your Super Bowl party this weekend, the cupcakes come topped with white chocolate red and gold-dusted stars.  

For Valentine's Day, each cupcake will be topped with a pair of light pink sweet hearts for your sweetheart. Sold by the pair, they come boxed and tied with a red ribbon, intended to impress that special someone.

Check out the awesome vintage hand-embroidered tea towel
I inherited from my grandmother. Gorgeous, right? 

The minis are perfect for parties since they're the ideal size for popping and have just the right hit of sweetness. Priced to sell, they're not to be missed. 

$6 a pair (full size)

$1 each mini with a minimum order of 12

Happy Valentine's Day and lets all cheer on the 49ers this Sunday!

Cranberry Sauce

So, I've never really understood the appeal of that jelly log that slides out the can. You know what I'm talking about, we've all tried it and in some homes its a staple on Thanksgiving. As a kid, I always thought it was icky and, in turn, that all cranberry sauce was like that. And then, some years back in another life, I was working for a caterer and she made homemade cranberry sauce. From whole oranges and fresh cranberries. Let me tell you, it blew my mind. I'd never seen such a thing and was thoroughly impressed. 

With the preserving bug I caught recently, I decided that offering a fresh cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving would be a fun addition. And, after a few trials, I was rewarded with this....

Oh yea. Lovely, lovely cranberry sauce. Slightly sweet but with a nice cranberry punch, it's lightly spiced with cinnamon, allspice and cloves with a nice undercurrent of whole oranges. 

It will be a great accompaniment to your Thanksgiving turkey and the sandwiches the next day. Can you imagine a turkey and ham (yes, we do ham too!) sandwich with that sauce peeking out from the bread? Yum! 

I'll be making the sauce to order, so ping me if you'd like a jar. And don't forget that this would make a fantastic hostess gift if you've been invited to dine at someone's home.

Available in 2 sizes:

8oz     $5

16oz   $8

Please note: the cranberry sauce must be refrigerated.

And I have to tell you, in the process of testing recipes, we've been slathering it on toast in the morning -- Nolan is officially a HUGE fan of the cranberry sauce! 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!