Welcome to Chocolate Candy Mall's monthly newsletter, Charmingly Chocolate. I enjoyed a wonderful four weeks this summer visiting family and friends. Of course, I overindulged in all of my favorite treats, too. I hope you don't let this summer slip past without savoring some of Summer's Delicious Delights!

August 1, 2007 - Issue #3

Summer is passing so quickly. Before we know it we will be lamenting at how quickly it went by, and how we didn't get to do all the things that we told ourselves a few months ago that we WOULD do. It is ever so.

What did you promise yourself you would do this summer?

Spend time with the kids in the kitchen making candy and giggling?

Prepare a batch of fudge and take it to an elderly friend or relative?

Splurge on yourself or your spouse with a little of your favorite gourmet chocolates?

Don't despair! Summer isn't over yet...

You've still got time to keep those promises. Here is a recipe that I always enjoy making AND eating. Why not try it yourself?

Chocolate Toffee Butter Crunch

• 1 cup butter or margarine
  
• 1 cup sugar
  
• 3 Tablespoons water
  
• 1 Tablespoon light corn syrup
  
• 1/2 cup coarsley chopped nuts (pecans or almonds)
  
• 3/4 cups semisweet or milk chocolate pieces
  
• 1/2 cup finely chopped nuts (pecans or almonds)
  
  

1. Butter the sides of a large saucepan.
   
   
2. Melt the butter or margarine. Add sugar, water, and corn syrup. Cook over medium heat until temperature reaches 290 degrees F. on your candy thermometer. Remove from heat and quickly stir in the coarsley chopped nuts.
   
   

3. Spread on buttered cookie sheet or 9x13 baking pan. Allow to cool for only 2-3 minutes until toffee surface is firm. Sprinkle chocolate pieces on top.

4. After a couple of minutes, spread melted chocolate evenly over surface. Sprinkly finely chopped nuts on top.
   
   

5. Chill until firm. Break into pieces. Store chocolate peanut brittle in airtight container.
   
   

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   By the way, if you are looking for a great mid-summer sale that will knock your socks off, pop over to the Vermont Country Store for some real bargains. They have a really neat old fashioned candy counter with a delicious selection of treats. I do happen to know that they are having a summer sale for only a couple more days [ends on August 3 - my anniversary =)] with savings from 50-90%. You can't beat that. I enjoy browsing through their entire online sales catalog and snagging myself a bargain. Hope you find one too.
   
   
   
   

I hope you enjoyed this issue of Charmingly Chocolate. If you have any feedback or comments you'd like to share with me, just reply to this zine and let me know. I'd love to hear from you.