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Why Cake Jars Are The Perfect Corporate Gift During The Covid 19 Pandemic

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Why Cake Jars Are The Perfect Corporate Gift During The Covid 19 Pandemic

Corporate gift-giving year-round is a must! These presents are as much to show appreciation for your employees or coworkers’ hard work as they are a gesture of goodwill.

Going into 2022, we need goodwill and good vibes more than ever. Desserts embody both these qualities, which is why we’re here to tell you that gourmet cake jars are the perfect corporate gift to give during the covid 19 pandemic.

What Are Cake Jars?

Cake jars are glass mason jars filled to the brim with delectable layers of moist cake, creamy buttercream frosting, gooey ganache, and fruit toppings. They’re magical medleys of flavors that anyone can enjoy, including popular favorites like chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry.

Why Are Cake Jars The Perfect Corporate Gift?

Why would you want to gift these tasty treats to your employees? We’ve got five great reasons below.

1.     Cakes Are Crowd-Pleasers

Who doesn’t love cake? Most of us have precious childhood memories of eating it at birthday parties and special events. It’s like a dose of nostalgia in a small edible package.

Cake is also a versatile dessert: a professional baker can cater to the recipient’s flavor preferences and dietary restrictions, and still make it scrumptious to eat.

2.     Cake Jars Are Zero Waste

For our readers who want to give gifts without dipping into wasteful consumerism, cake jars are the ticket. They are completely zero waste: the inside is edible, and you can reuse the glass jar in an endless number of ways. Use it as a catch-all for paper clips at the office, or plant a tiny succulent to bring greenery to your cubicle. You can also take it home, wash it, and put your own homemade dessert inside to eat or regift!

3.     Cake Jars Are Sanitary And Covid-Safe

Cake jars are a sanitary and covid-safe gift. At our bakery, we adhere to the latest recommendations made by the local New York City government, the CDC, and the FDA to ensure utmost safety for our customers and minimize the transmission of covid. Furthermore, the cake jar is already sealed when you buy it, and the only person who will touch or breathe on the cake after you purchase it is the person you gift it to.

4.     Cake Jars Are Customizable

If you really want to express your appreciation for the employees at your company, you can customize each cake jar with a label. The label can show the recipient’s name or a special word that you feel describes their personality.

5.     Cake Jars Are Shippable

Shipping cakes? Yes, it’s possible with cake jars. They’re sealed when you order them, so you can send them to your company offices around New York City, or even around the country. This way every employee feels appreciated.

Have questions about our cake jars? Call us or visit our shop today!

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10 Ways To Celebrate Valentine’s Day In 2022

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10 Ways To Celebrate Valentine’s Day In 2022

Valentine’s Day in 2022 is coming up, and you may be wondering how you can celebrate it with your lover in the middle of a global pandemic in New York City. You may not think you can mark the day at all, what with covid 19 lockdowns and restaurant capacity limits.

But here’s a little secret: with a little creativity, not even covid 19 can stop you from enjoying this day of passion and romance with your favorite person in the world.

Here are 10 wonderful ways you can safely celebrate Valentine’s Day in 2022.

1.     Picnic In The Backyard

Your backyard is not exactly Central Park, but it’s as good as the finest park in the world when you’re picnicking with someone you love. Spread out a large blanket and prepare your lover’s favorite foods and beverages. Pack the food in sealed containers and use paper or plastic dinnerware to make cleanup as easy as pie. Be sure to pick a shady spot if you’re picnicking while the sun is up. When it starts to get dark, set out the battery or solar-powered lights for some romantic illumination.

The best part about having a picnic in your backyard is if you forget something, or if you decide you want to quickly move on from eating to more intimate activities, your home is just a few steps away.

2.     Buy Cake Jars For Two

Our jars filled with scrumptious cake are the perfect Valentine’s desserts. They’re easy to hold in one hand, they contain the mess, and you can reuse them later.

But of course, we can’t forget about the star of the whole show which is the cake. This indulgent treat will arouse all your senses and act as the perfect bookend (or prelude) to a divine date. Choose from tantalizing flavors such as rich dark chocolate (which, incidentally, is an aphrodisiac), layered with creamy buttercream and ganache.

To learn more about our cake jars, click here.

3.     Take A Day Trip Or Weekend Getaway

Sometimes it’s good to just get away for a romantic day trip or weekend. Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to escape all the stress happening around you. It doesn’t matter where you go: you can drive to a nearby town to shop and try new foods, book a room in a hotel in a part of New York City you’ve never been in before, or fly to an exotic faraway destination. What matters more is that you relax and enjoy your time with your special someone.

4.     Hire A Photographer To Capture Special Moments

The special moments you share with your loved one on Valentine’s Day are worth remembering forever. Make it easier to recall them by hiring a photographer to capture all the highlights of your day. Go on your date, to the park, a favorite neighborhood, or even out into the backyard, and ask your photographer to snap away while you and your lover enjoy yourselves. Try not to pose too much; let the photographer get candid shots of your soft touches, smiles, and laughter.

When the photos are ready, print them and display them in an album. Then give the album to your lover as a token of your sweet regard.

5.     Book A Day Spa

Nothing says “I love you” like gifting your lover with a relaxing day at the spa. I personally recommend Brooklyn Bathhouse in Williamsburg. Book a double appointment there or at the spa of your choice so you can both enjoy relaxing massages, facials, thermal pools, saunas, and much more.

6.     Hire A Chef Or Play Chef For The Day

Another relaxing way to spend your Valentine’s Day is to hire a chef to do all the cooking for you. Or, if you like playing chef yourself, take over the kitchen and prepare a scrumptious meal for the two of you made with love. Whichever you decide to do, your thoughtfulness and caring heart will shine through the food.

7.     Take A Cooking Or Baking Class Together

Are you and your loved one foodies? Take a cooking or baking class together so you can make delicious meals and desserts for one another throughout the year. At my bakery, I offer some fantastic classes where I can teach you all my best kitchen tricks and tips one-on-one or with a larger group.

8.     Plan A Group Date

Speaking of groups, maybe you and your significant other have missed going out with your friends since the pandemic started. If that’s the case, why not turn Valentine’s Day into a group date opportunity? Plan a meal and an activity, such as playing board games or watching a romantic film, that you can all enjoy together.

9.     Donate To A Domestic Violence Shelter

On Valentine’s Day, it’s good to remember that not everyone is as blessed as you and your special person. Take this day as an opportunity to donate money, time, or toiletries to a domestic violence shelter, so that women and children that are suffering there can feel the love of the day, too.

10.  Schedule A Baking Class Via Zoom For Your Staff

If you own a company and you want to show your appreciation for your staff with Valentine’s Day gifts, schedule a Zoom baking class! This way all your employees, in the office or working remotely, can let off some steam and learn to create something yummy and heartwarming.

How will you spend your Valentine’s Day? We hope you spend at least part of it with us! Come visit us to try our mouth-watering cake jars and book an exciting cooking or baking class for you and your boo.

The Best Bourbon Caramel Apple Pie Recipe

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Bask in the sweetness of this tasty Bourbon Caramel Apple Pie, bursting with seasonal ingredients like cinnamon and nutmeg. Drizzled with caramel sauce, this will be your favorite go-to apple pie!

Apple Pie Has Been a Favorite for Centuries!

While it may seem like an all-American dessert, apple pie comes from England. There’s evidence that people were baking apple pies around the late 1300s, possibly even earlier! From there, apple pie became a popular treat throughout England and other European countries before finally making it to the USA sometime in the 1700s.

The 20th century turned apple pie into a famously American dessert and symbol. Now, bakers all over America have created hundreds of variations of the traditional apple pie, including the best choice: my delicious bourbon caramel apple pie recipe!

Why Use Bourbon?

Bourbon may seem like a surprising addition to the classic apple pie. However, liquor has been a popular ingredient in recipes for hundreds of years. The right alcohol can slightly alter the texture and add to the flavoring of the recipe.

Bourbon goes great with the other ingredients in this recipe. Most bourbons have a delightful vanilla and caramel flavor that blends perfectly with the delicious caramel-apple filling and flaky pie crust. Bourbon also has a great balance between sweet and bitter, which enhances the taste of the apple pie.

Choosing the Best Apples for Your Pie

One very important step to baking this perfect bourbon caramel apple pie recipe is to pick the right apples. Different varieties of apples will be sweeter or more tart. It’s typically recommended that you use a mixture of sweet and tart apples in your pie for a balance of flavor.

You also need to make sure the apples that you use are good for baking. Some varieties of apples will get mushy after baking, so you’ll want to skip those types and go with apples that will hold their firmness after baking. Many grocery stores have descriptions on each apple variety to help you choose the ones that are best for baking, so take a look next time you’re in the produce aisle!

Some apples that you might want to include in your pie are Granny Smith, which is perfectly firm; Gold Delicious, which is a mixture of tart and sweet; Jonathan, which is tart; and Honeycrisp, which are sweet and flavorful.

Make Your Own Bourbon Caramel Apple Pie

Now that you know the background of this sweet and seasonal pie, it’s your turn to make it! Watch my video for visual instructions on how to make the pie. Here’s what you’ll need!

  • 1 package frozen pie crust
  • 3-4 apples peeled and chopped
  • 1 stick unsalted butter
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract
  • A pinch of salt
  • Pinch of cloves
  • Pinch of nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon King Arthur Vietnamese Cinnamon
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 tablespoons of Kentucky Bourbon
  • After baking, drizzle with 4-6 tablespoon caramel sauce (thick version)

1. Prepare the pie pan and place it in the refrigerator to chill while you make the filling.

2. Mix apples, butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, salt, cloves, nutmeg, bourbon, and flour.

3. Place the filling in the prepared bottom pie crust, cover with top crust and crimp the edges.

4. Bake at 400 degrees F for about an hour or until golden brown.

5. Drizzle with caramel and enjoy!

The super-secret special ingredient in this recipe is the King Arthur Vietnamese Cinnamon. It’s better than regular cinnamon –trust me! It fills every bite with rich flavor.

Visit De L’or Cakery for All Your Recipe Needs

If you liked this recipe, you’ll enjoy everything else we have to offer at De L’or Cakery! And, for an inside look at some of our favorite baking ingredients (including the incredible cinnamon used in this recipe!) visit our Amazon storefront.

Charcuterie Board

Top Five Reasons You Need a Charcuterie Board at Your Gathering

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Top Five Reasons You Need a Charcuterie Board at Your Gathering

Wondering what to make next time you get together with friends or family? Charcuterie boards are the perfect balance between simplicity and luxury. They’re fun to make, create, and offer something for everyone to enjoy. Here’s why charcuterie boards are the perfect choice for your next gathering.

There’s Something for Everyone

Charcuterie boards are made with a wide range of different types of food. A typical charcuterie board includes varieties of meat and cheese, olives, crackers, nuts, fruit, and vegetables. Dessert boards have even become popular with things like mini cakes, cocoa bombs, and mocha latte bombs. Also, charcuterie boards don’t have to contain meat. They can be vegan or vegetarian.

As you can see, there’s bound to be something for everyone to enjoy on your charcuterie board. You can include some of your friends’ favorite items or cater it to your own taste.

You Have Endless Options

There’s no limit to what your charcuterie board can contain. You can choose to go the traditional route and include meats, cheeses, and crackers. Or, you can do something more fit to your own style or the theme of the social gathering.

For example, if you’re hosting a Halloween party, you might have a Halloween-themed charcuterie board and include spooky drinks and snacks. If you’re hosting a Christmas party, you might want to include things like candy canes, cake, gingerbread cookies, and cocoa bombs.

It Doesn’t Have to Be Expensive

Because charcuterie boards can have so much of a variety of food and personalization, you can set any price point when creating the board. While you can certainly create an extravagant, expensive board with fancy cheeses and high-end appetizers, your board doesn’t have to cost much. Shopping at places like Aldi or buying budget-friendly versions of ingredients can help you keep your board inexpensive without missing out on any of the fun!

There’s no denying it: while they are a timeless classic, charcuterie boards are experiencing a surge of popularity among almost every age group. Maybe it’s because they photograph beautifully, making them a perfect addition to your Instagram story, or maybe it’s just because they can be customized in so many different ways. At any rate, your charcuterie board is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

You Can Be Creative

When you’re creating your charcuterie board, you have all the creative freedom you want to make it look fun and unique. You might try creating extravagant or colorful designs on your board by:

  • Creating rose-shaped salami. Using a wine glass, you can shape your pieces of salami or similar meat into a rose.
  • Adding sprigs of rosemary or other herbs. The addition of fresh herbs can take your board to the next level, adding dimension and character.
  • Including edible or decorative flowers. Adding flowers to your board is great for making your board more colorful.

Make Your Own Charcuterie Board Today

Your next social gathering won’t be complete without your own charcuterie board. Whether you decide to make your board traditional or creative, it’ll be the perfect way to round out your social gatherings this year!

How to make Whipped Cream

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I love whipped cream, but I love it more on my cake! Whipped Cream looks intimidating however it’s one of the most simple recipes you will ever work with. For clarity, I used a specialty brand vanilla extract that has traces of vanilla bean intensifying the taste. It takes less than 15 minutes to make this cream.

Recipe:

1 Pint of Heavy Cream or Heavy Whipping Cream

2 Tablespoons of Vanilla Extract

1 Immersion stick or handheld mixer

1 stainless steel or ceramic bowl

You can refrigerate the whipped cream for up to 7 days covered with a lid.

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Top 4 Wedding Cake Trends

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Top 4 2022 Wedding Cake Trends

When you shop for Bronx wedding cakes or Westchester wedding cakes in 2022, you’ll probably see many of the same trending styles. From sugar pearls to rustic buttercream, we’ve got the top 4 2022 wedding cake trends to help you plan the perfect “in” dessert for your nuptials.

1.     White Sugar Pearls

You’d be surprised at the effect that white sugar pearls can have on a cake. With just a few crisscrossing your tiers, the cake will be elevated from simple to elegant. You can use them on just about any color of frosting or fondant, even white! But if you want to stray away from traditional white, try a darker, cooler color so the pearls will pop.

2.     Sweet and Simple

Most people go for height and glam when it comes to their wedding cakes (and their wedding gowns, too). But if you’re having a small or informal reception, you can get away with a sweet and simple cake.

In the days after the covid 19 pandemic, many brides and grooms want to emphasize the experience of a wedding rather than spend extravagantly on the little things, like cake. Consider asking your baker to design a simple cake with smooth buttercream or a crumb coat if this is you. Ask them to pipe on edge, perhaps in a different color from the base, to add interest. Add a flower or topper to the top, or nothing at all, and let the cake speak for itself.

Your guests will appreciate the elegance of a sweet and simple cake, and they won’t love the taste any less for it not being a spectacle.

3.     Rustic

A rustic cake in the urban jungle of New York City? Why not?

You and your baker can play with the meaning of “rustic” in several different ways. The cake can be frosted on to look like the bark of a tree. It could also be scraped across the sides of the tiers so that it’s just barely there. You may not even want any buttercream or fondant at all on the outside! Add a few sprigs of greens or flowers to complete the outdoor vibe.

4.     Individually Packaged Mini Cakes

Going into 2022, some brides and grooms in New York City will naturally be concerned about spreading covid 19 at weddings. They may want to take advantage of a new trend where instead of serving one large cake, they serve individually wrapped cakes for their guests to eat.

The beauty of handing out individual cakes is that your guests can eat them during the reception or take them home if you decide to forgo a reception entirely.  That way, everyone still gets to enjoy a delicious dessert custom-made to the couple’s taste preferences.

Conclusion: Simple Is The Trend For 2022

Everyone has had a challenging year, with covid 19 lockdowns and many couples being forced to postpone their weddings.

For your 2022 reception, don’t stress too much about the appearance of your cake. The forecasted trends are tasteful yet straightforward, with a surprising amount of wiggle room for elegant, rustic, and sweet styles.

Want cake? Contact us to discuss your needs.

Kitchen Aid Mixer

10 Essential Baking Tools Every Cook Needs In Their Kitchen

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Love in the kitchen

10 Essential Baking Tools Every Cook Needs In Their Kitchen

So, you’ve decided to become a culinary master! Or you have at least decided you want to start baking for yourself, and maybe for your friends and family, too.

No matter which level of expertise you’re at or want to reach, you must begin with your kitchen well-stocked with essential culinary tools and products. They don’t have to be expensive Williams-Sonoma items; as you will see, all the products on our top 10 list can be found on Amazon.

Below are 10 must-have baking tools and products that will see you through just about any recipe you embark on.

1.     Kitchen Aid Mixer

The Kitchen Aid mixer is a must-have in your home whether you cook or bake. You can use it to mix up cremes, cake batter, doughs, pasta, and even ice cream! It’s compatible with several different attachments which you can collect over time to make specialized recipes. But in the meantime, the classic beater attachment that it comes with will serve you well.  

2.     Lemon Squeezer

A lemon squeezer helps you extract the juice from a lemon or lime so you don’t hurt your bare hands. It also extracts more juice than you would be able to bring out on your own, with less exertion on your part. A few tablespoons of lemon will brighten your lemon chicken in white wine, lemon cupcakes, cheesecake, and any other recipe you want to add a citrus kick to.

3.     Immersion Hand Blender

An immersion hand blender will help you blend up savory sauces, sweet jellies, and smooth, creamy soups. Because this blender is small and fits in your hand, it is easy to clean and doesn’t make as big a mess as a Kitchen Aid. 

4.     Damascus Chef Knife

A chef knife with a Damascus steel blade will quickly become one of your most valued culinary tools. It enables you to cut through fruits, vegetables, and meat with ease. You can slice up apples for pie, dice up potatoes, carrots, and onions for a pot pie, and carve out filets, all with this one tool.   

5.     King Arthur Instant Expresso

King Arthur Instant Espresso is ideal for making a scrumptious Italian tiramisu, or for brewing a dark, rich cup of coffee. Espresso has a bold, smooth flavor that pairs well with all sorts of desserts. Keep it on hand if you and your family and friends love desserts. Espresso balances out sugar so you can still taste the dish underneath all the sweetness. 

6.     King Arthur Cheddar Powder

When it comes to King Arthur Cheddar Powder, brace yourself! This essential baking product comes with a strong cheesy flavor and will turn your creamy dish into a dairy delight. It goes best with a mac and cheese recipe, potatoes au gratin, cheese fries, or another meal where ooey gooey cheesy goodness is the star of the show.

7.     Ladle

A ladle is a versatile kitchen tool that you will find many applications for, from serving soup to coating apples with caramel. Its wide brim allows you to scoop up large amounts of liquid from a pot. This is an important feature to have when you need to work quickly, such as when you’re removing apples from boiling water after the wax has been melted off the fruit skin.

8.     Danish Dough Whisk

If a Kitchen Aid mixer is outside of your budget, I recommend purchasing a Danish dough whisk instead. This tool is not automated, which means you’ll need to put a lot of elbow grease and strength behind it. But it does almost as good a job as a Kitchen Aid, so you can whip up the desserts you love, from cookie dough to cake batter to brownie mixes.

9.     Ramekins

I love ramekins! They’re small so they don’t take up much space in the pantry or the dishwasher, but they’re so useful, too. You can use them to hold Japanese purin, crème Brulee, and pudding. You’ll impress your family and friends when you serve them perfect miniature portions of lasagna or Bolognese.

10.  Garlic press

When it comes to whether or not to use a garlic press, my answer is always, “Why not?” It’s not as fancy and doesn’t show as much culinary skill as chopping the garlic up with a chef’s knife. But on the flip side, it’s much faster. If I need to whip up a dish quickly or just don’t feel like taking my time, I’ll use my handy dandy press and produce flavorful chopped-up garlic in 0.5 seconds.

Want To Learn How To Use These Tools? I Teach Culinary Classes!

If you live in New York City and you want to learn how to use the products we covered in this list, I’ve got you covered. I am currently offering in-home private cooking classes and baking classes for parties of 10 or less. The birthday cake package includes a custom one-tier cake.

Sign yourself up, or book a class as a holiday present for your closest friends and family members! 

MISS MONA ICE CREAM DELOR CAKERY

Cake & Ice Cream Collaboration

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The holiday season is upon us! We’re so proud and honored to celebrate three great local small businesses this month. From pre-made cookie mixes to outrageous custom cakes, Kayisha from De’Lor Cakery knows how to pack flavor into every bite. Next, meet the Kleinhandler’s, that’s Daniel and Karni Kleinhandler of “Sugar, Butter, Chocolate,” who are bringing their Micheline experience right to your doorstep with their unique twists on classic favorite treats. Finally, Bahati of Bahati Chai brings a bit of his warm Swahili culture to chilly NYC with his organic and delicious assortment of East African teas.

To join Mona’s monthly ice cream club packed with local treats and sweets, visit www.missmonamakesicecream.com for details. NYC area only.

MISS MONA ICE CREAM & DE LOR CAKERY

As Long As Your Breathing, Keep Going

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You know what I love about interviews, you get to connect with others and share. In this interview with Maysha, we talk about business, storytelling, and Manifestation! Maysha hosts show providing inspiration, transformation, information, motivation, education, and more! The goal is always to be happy exactly where you are, living life to the fullest in each moment, but never settling!

Salty Sea

2 Key Ingredients for Baking the Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie

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2 Key Ingredients For Baking The Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie

Did you know that chocolate chip is the most popular cookie flavor in the United States? For good reason! They combine a scrumptious melt-in-your-mouth texture with a golden brown, slightly crispy top, and melted chocolatey goodness in every bite.
But don’t make the mistake of thinking that all chocolate chip cookies are created equal! There’s plenty of ways to do it wrong, but there’s just one way to do it right.
By incorporating just two key ingredients into your batter, you’ll turn your chocolate chip cookies from “okay” to absolutely divine.

  1. European Butter

When you go to the store and you pick out butter sticks for baking, sometimes you don’t even get true dairy butter. Some of the sticks we buy at the store – Country Crock is a popular example – are made with vegetable or soybean oil, not milk. This mixture is not as fatty, but it’s also not as spreadable or flavorful.
In many cases, the dairy butter you buy at the store only contains 80 percent butterfat. This means it doesn’t contain as much saturated fat, which reduces the flavor and creaminess.
That’s why when you’re making chocolate chip cookies or any kind of baked dessert, I highly recommend using European butter.
European butter is churned longer to reach at least 82 percent butterfat. The result is a richer, better-tasting spread that will elevate your cookies to a whole new level of smooth deliciousness.
Another great thing about European butter is that it’s not the type of butter shoppers and bakers usually reach for. During the covid 19 pandemic when the grocery stores ran out of unsalted butter, I gave the European style a try. It absolutely changed my outlook on this ingredient. Now I use it all the time to mix up the perfect cookie and buttercream frosting.

  1. High Quality Chocolate Chips

Chocolate lovers will agree that chips are the most important ingredient in chocolate chip cookies. You don’t want to skimp out on it, meaning you shouldn’t settle for a cheap brand.
To make the best chocolate chip cookies you’ve ever eaten, you must purchase high-quality chocolate chips. Brands like Guittard, Ghiradelli, Valrhona, and Callebaut make their chocolate with a higher ratio of pure cocoa butter, which is what gives it its beautiful shine and that satisfying snap when you break a piece of it. They also melt easily and become perfectly gooey while the cookies bake.
Personally, I recommend using Valrhona Couverture dark chocolate chips or sea salt chocolate chips. It’s made with simple yet high-quality ingredients: cocoa liquor, sugar, cocoa butter, and vanilla. The taste is sweet and rich, and the texture is smooth.
The only downside to Valrhona Couverture is it is quite expensive. It’s also not easy to get: you need to go to a specialty store like Sue La Table or Williams-Sonoma to find it. You should also be aware that it must be tempered before you can use it for things like candy bars or dipping cake pops or fruit.
Guittard and Ghiradelli are a little more affordable, and you can usually find them in your local grocery store.

Conclusion: These Two Simple Ingredients Will Change Your Baking Forever

When it comes to baking, I’ve learned as a professional that spending more money on high-quality ingredients allows me to create the perfect cookie. Use European butter and chocolate with a high ratio of cocoa butter for your next batch, and see for yourself how much better it turns out!

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