Belgian Chocolates

Homemade Gift Idea - Chocolate Truffles

Everybody loves chocolate, so it goes without saying that chocolate truffle are an excellent homemade gift idea. I made these for holiday gifts last year and people loved them and were amazed when I told them I made them. Making the real chocolatier-grade truffles, while not difficult, is still a fairly delicate process, but they are worth it. The two biggest keys to making successful and memorable truffles is the timing, which is explained in the recipes linked in this article, and the chocolate used. Purchase high-quality bittersweet chocolate that is around 70% cacao. My personal favorite Dagoba's organic and award-winning New Moon which is 74% cacao. Dagoba has a decent fair trade and ecological philosophy too. The other high quality bittersweet that I use is Valrhona's Le Noir Amer which is 71% cacao.

One of the best places to find truffle gift recipes would be epicurious.com. The recipes that I have used as a base were Bittersweet Chocolate Truffles and Robert Linxe's Chocolate Truffles. I then played off the bittersweet chocolate truffles to make Mango Curry Truffles, and Balsamic Truffles with Toasted Hazelnuts, which you can find on epicurious.com as well. You can make this a fun, creative and memorable gift by adding traditional elements like toasted nuts, crushed candy canes, coconut, or be adventurous and try cayenne, lemon juice or orange juice. The Robert Linxe's truffles I pretty much left as is, as they are delightful with no additions.

After your truffles have cooled place them in gift boxes. Sugarcraft.com has a good assortment of candy gift boxes. I chose one of the plain white ones. I then printed and cut my own personalized gift labels using Avery full sheet labels, which you can find at any office supply store.

This definitely was a successful homemade gift, as everyone enjoyed them, (who wouldn't?) and was one of the few homemade gifts that men would enjoy as well. Homemade truffles do take a bit of work, but it you follow these tips I think you will impress yourself and others with the results.

About the Author

Counting down 100 homemade gift ideas at http://100homemadegiftideas.com

Easter Gift Ideas - Chocolate Easter Eggs

igourmet 3.5-lb. Chocolate Bars of the World Gift Box $39.99 Chocolate Bars of the World Gift Box

igourmet Chocolate Sampler Gift Basket by ig4U $39.99 Chocolate Sampler Gift Basket by ig4U

Chocolate $18.86 Beautifully produced and presented in an attractive box, this two-volume celebration of one of the world’s most beloved confections is a must for chocoholics everywhere. Its mouthwatering photographs, taken by one of France’s leading food photographers, are feasts for the eyes, making Chocolate an ideal gift. In the first volume, The History of Chocolate, chocolate lovers can discover the fascinating story behind this global favorite, and how the discovery of the cocoa bean and its subsequent transformation into a valuable commodity changed the face of history. This volume looks at the processes involved in transforming the raw bean into delectable confectionary, as well as the cultural role it played, with the establishment of Europe’s finest chocolate houses and its acceptance at all levels of society.The second volume, The Taste of Chocolate is devoted to appreciating chocolate in all its myriad guises, and includes useful tips on the optimal conditions to savor this black gold and how to find the perfect accompaniments, whether fruit, cheese, wine, or spices. It explains the terms used by the professionals—defining garniture, couverture, or ganache, for example—and the specialist techniques used in preparing the basic material into delectable confectionary. This connoisseur’s appreciation of chocolate is rounded off by a collection of irresistible chocolate recipes, including Chocolate-Cherry Mousse, Grand-Marnier Chocolate Cake, Chocolate Fondue with Fruit, and Chocolate-Praline Tart.

igourmet Valentine's Day Chocolate Gift Treasure Chest $79.99 Valentine's Day Chocolate Gift Treasure Chest

300 Chocolate Desserts and Treats: $13.99 A taste of chocolate is a taste of the exotic. The origins of chocolate can be traced back to the ancient civilizations of South America. The Mayans prized it as gold and the Aztecs drank the divine gift in liquid form. It took almost 200 years to perfect the sweet chocolate we know today, and it can now be found all over the globe, enjoyed by millions as a luxurious, highly sought-after treat. This book is a collection of 300 inspirational recipes that make the most of this exquisite ingredient. If you are looking for the ultimate dessert for a dinner party, crave a sweet treat in the afternoon, or want to pamper yourself with a sumptuous late-night hot chocolate, this book has the perfect recipe. All the classics are included, such as Sachertorte, Belgian Chocolate Mousse, Chocolate Fudge and Banana Sundae and Rocky Road Chocolate Bars, as well as new and creative ideas such as Luxury Dark Chocolate Ravioli, Cranberry and White Chocolate Ice Cream, Mini Praline Pavlovas and Coffee-chocolate Soda. From profiteroles and puddings to souffles and smoothies, you are sure to find all your old favourites, as well as discovering many new recipes to try. The 300 desserts and treats are illustrated with tempting colour photographs of the finished dishes. With detailed step-by-step instructions for every recipe, useful cook's tips and variations throughout, as well as handy, at-a-glance nutritional information on every page, this glorious book is a must for every chocoholic's kitchen bookshelf.

Heavenly Chocolate Desserts: $13.56 Chocolate desserts are irresistible. Get in the kids' good books, treat someone special, or enjoy a little self-indulgence--there's a chocolate dessert in this book for every occasion. Hot Desserts feature a host of recipes for cold nights. Throw moderation to the wind and whip up a devilishly rich Pain au Chocolat Dessert. Chilled Desserts includes Banana Splits with Hot Fudge Sauce for the kids and Profiteroles for the adults. When you are looking for a little refinement with maximum impact, try something from the Tarts and Cheesecake chapter. Pull out all the stops with a Raspberry and Chocolate Ripple Cheesecake. When you need a foolproof recipe for a chocolate birthday cake, Cakes and Bakes will provide the inspiration. Recipes such as Mississippi Mud Pie, Sachertorte, and Meringue Cake are bound to please. And finally, no dessert is complete without a little extra On the Side. This chapter gives you all sorts of sauces, including Maple and Pecan Fudge, Creamy Chocolate and Coffee. Includes 80 recipes to whet the appetite, with mouthwatering photography and ideas for every occasion. The ultimate gift for chocoholics.

New York Coffee Chocolate Lover Flavored Coffee Beans Gift Box $65 New York Coffee Chocolate Lover Flavored Coffee Beans Gift Box is a variety of chocolate, mocha, and cocoa themed cake and coffees. For Chocolate Lovers only.

igourmet Single Estate Chocolate Ganaches Gift Box by Michel Cluizel $44.99 Single Estate Chocolate Ganaches Gift Box by Michel Cluizel

New York Coffee Chocolate Lover Flavored Ground Coffee Gift Box $65 The New York Coffee Chocolate Lover Flavored Ground Coffee Gift Box has dark cocoa and milk chocolate flavors and treats for whomever gets this Chocolate Lover Gift Box.

First Communion Gift Ideas - Silver Plated Rosary First Communion Gift Set $82 First Communion Gift Ideas - Silver Plated Rosary First Communion Gift Set is available from jewelbasket.com for only $56.00. Buy now and save. Jewelbasket offers the best value on Religious Jewelry, jewelry and gifts.

Figis Chocolate Greetings Gift Basket- 15.75 oz $19.99 Christmas wishes mean so much more when they're expressed in sweet milk chocolate! We add our best - cheddar, Colby, plus zesty garlic beef and beef summer sausages, and more. Foiled chocolate domes complete this rich greeting gift.

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Gift Card - $20 $20 With this $20 gift card, you can visit Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory for the finest in handmade chocolates, caramel apples, fudge, and dipped strawberries in over 280 US locations. Mmmm.

Chocolate Brown Jumbo Gift Wrap $4.99 "Includes (1) package of gift wrap. Wrapping Paper measures 30"" H x 16' W. Includes 40 sq. ft."

Godiva 22 Piece Milk Chocolate Gift Box $36 Discover pure milk chocolate bliss, or share it as a gift. Godiva's milk chocolate pieces are legendary; embrace the moment as you let the intensity of the flavors slowly unfold. Our assortment includes Milk Caramel Embrace, Cinnamon Blush, Coffee Feather, Open Oyster, Almond Praline Raindrop, Roasted Almond Truffle, Milk Chocolate Praline Heart and more. 22 pcs. Kosher OU-D. 10.5 oz. Click on Alternate View to see additional detail.

Godiva 16 Piece Dark Chocolate Gift Box $25 Do what you love; indulge as you please. Godiva's all-of-a-kind chocolate assortments are designed for those who know exactly what they want in dark chocolates. Our all dark chocolate gift box includes Midnight Swirl, Dark Ganache Bliss, Raspberry Ganache Twirl, Dark Caramel Embrace, and more. Kosher OU-D. 6.2 oz. Click on Alternate View to see additional detail.

Godiva 15 Piece Milk Chocolate Gift Box $25 Do what you love; indulge as you please. Godiva's all-of-a-kind chocolate assortments are designed for those who know exactly what they want in milk chocolates. Our milk chocolate gift box includes Cinnamon Blush, Coffee Feather, Open Oyster, Almond Praline Raindrop, Pecan Caramel Duet, and more. Kosher OU-D. 6.8 oz. Click on Alternate View to see additional detail.

Hot Chocolate $9.06 Hot chocolate is not just for kids anymore. The gourmet chocolate market is growing, and Americans are swapping their cocoa mix for real hot chocolate. Made from high-quality bar chocolate instead of a sugary powder, it is the ultimate indulgence. Hot chocolate is featured on the menus of trendy coffeehouses and upscale restaurants everywhere, and with Hot Chocolate anyone can make this gourmet beverage at home. Featuring stylish 4-color design and beautiful photos, this is the perfect gift for any chocolate lover.

Intensely Chocolate $18.47 A tantalizing collection of dessert recipes for true chocolate lovers Chocolate lovers have more and more ways to get their fix with high-cacao, high-quality chocolate beckoning from grocery shelves all over the country. Intensely Chocolate offers luscious recipes for cakes, brownies, muffins, tarts, cookies, custards, candies, and frozen desserts that will make any chocolate lover drool. Here, you'll find new ideas, and classics even better than you remember them. From bittersweet high-cacao content to chocolates mixed with fruits, nuts, spices, and more-there's almost no limit to what you can do with chocolate. Intensely Chocolate gives you the ideas and guidance to turn this beloved ingredient into splendid desserts. 100 recipes cover beloved favorites like Individual Molten Mocha Cakes and exciting new ideas like Chocolate-Passion Fruit Ganache Tart. This lushly illustrated book also includes helpful information on available ingredients and how to use them. These recipes are perfect for today's high-quality chocolate, but simple preparations put these unforgettable treats within easy reach. For anyone looking for a new twist on their favorite dessert or creative ideas for using high-quality artisan chocolates, Intensely Chocolate is the essential guide to the world's favorite confection.

Great Ideas Napkin Sketchbook $6.99 The perfect tool for top-of-your-head ideas! What a novel(ty) idea! Makes a great, wacky gift! Everyone knows that the best ideas are conceived on restaurant napkins. So, it follows that if you sketch out all of your ideas on napkins they should all be great, right? Each 5-inch tall x 5 1/8-inches wide x 3/4-inch deep Napkin Sketchbook is filled with 30 blank napkins (120 pages) for you to jot down brilliant theories or wipe the pizza off your mouth (or both). Shrink wrapped with info sticker. Order yours today!

Christmas Crafting With Kids $19.95 The festive season is the perfect time for crafting--getting busy with glue, paper, and scissors will fill kids with anticipation and excitement. Christmas Crafting with Kids is packed with more than 35 fun and imaginative seasonal projects for both boys and girls. There are dozens of achievable ideas for decorations, gifts, cards, and even handmade gift wrapping. Little crafters will enjoy making festive decorations such as paper chains, crackers, and handstitched stockings, as well as perfect gifts like cute snow shakers, decorated photoframes, and delicious chocolate brownies! All the classic crafting techniques are covered, from potato printing to sewing, baking, decoupage,modelling, stencilling, and more.

Christmas Sweets $1.01 From boxes of homemade candy brimming with Chocolate Fudge or Almond-Butter Toffee to cookie jars filled with Pecan Lace Cookies or Apricot-Pistachio Bars, this collection of recipes and decorations will make gift-giving extra sweet this year. Each festive project celebrates the season and offers inspiring craft ideas using sweets both homemade and store bought.

Cookie Gifts: Lavish Sweet and Savoury Treats to Make at Home $6.11 This book brings together an irresistible collection of cookie recipes with personalized gift ideas for every occasion and every taste. There are the much-loved traditional cookie recipes that remind us of childhood, as well as specialties for chocolate-lovers, sophisticated treats for connoisseurs and cookies for children to make for their classmates.

Cookies $15.95 The most difficult thing about making these cookies? Not gobbling them up all at once! Serve them with coffee, put a few in a child''s lunchbox as a surprise, hang them from a Christmas tree, or tuck them into a pretty box as a gift: with these recipes and simple decorating ideas, anyone can bake these tasty and beautiful treats. Many of the recipes are freezer-friendly, all have been tested to assure that they work perfectly every time, and there are even templates for creating cookies in every shape from butterflies to the ever-popular dinosaur. Enjoy decadent nibbles such as bitter chocolate cookies decorated with gold leaf; fun teddy bear cookies; a savory delicacy such as parmesan cookies dusted with cayenne pepper; and a healthy Banana Bran cookie.

Cookies for Christmas $9.95 This colorful collection of Christmas cookies is something to celebrate! With nearly 100,000 copies sold, it''s already a family favorite--and that''s no surprise with such scrumptious recipes as Chocolate Crinkles, Candy Cane Twists, Snowballs, and Raspberry Tarts to choose from. These cookies are as simple to bake as they are yummy to eat. Every recipe features steps that kids can easily handle, and ideas for variations that inspire creativity. Savor them, turn them into beautiful ornaments, or give them as a holiday gift--there''s excellent advice on wrapping and mailing them, too!

Edible Gifts $12.24 Food makes a marvelous gift -- and when it's homemade it's even better. In this book, talented food writer Kay Fairfax presents a wealth of delightful ideas for edible gifts, from candies and cookies, conserves and jellies, to flavored oils and vinegars -- all captured by leading food photographer Martin Brigdale. The food is photographed in pretty bottles, jars, wrappings, and boxes, with lots of easy-to-create ideas that you can copy. Recipes include such temptations as Chocolate Gingerbread, Fresh Green Herb Oil, Thai Bouquet Garni, Apple Mint Jelly, and Figs in Muscat.

Gift Baskets for All Seasons: 75 Fun and Easy Craft Projects $15.95 Baskets containing seasonal delights are perfect for gifts or home decoration. This captivating book contains 75 fun and easy projects and ideas for making, filling, and decorating baskets. All with a seasonal theme, the baskets celebrate holidays including Valentine's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, and are wonderful gifts for such special occasions as birthdays and anniversaries. The projects encompass a wide range of styles and techniques, from traditional country crafts using flowers, foliage, and herbs to more innovative ideas using materials as diverse as candles, sculpting clay, cookies, and chocolate. Bountiful baskets of all shapes and sizes are filled with decorative objects or edible treats. There is a detailed recipe for creating each basket, with clear step-by-step instructions. Even so, each of the projects may be modified to allow for individual interpretation and creativity, making them memorable gifts and decorations.

Homemade Gifts in a Jar: Gift Set $8.97 Boxed gift set including a softcover book plus craft kit for creating thoughtful seasonal or house-warming gifts, or just to give as a gift itself. The book is filled with clever jar crafting ideas and tempting gift-in-a-jar recipes plus ideas for making paper gift tags and tips for inspiring kids to craft with jars. The kit also includes the decorative supplies readers need to add personal handmade touches to their gift projects. Jar Gifts from the Kitchen projects include ready-to-serve goodies and layered mixes like Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookies Mix, Lemon Tea Bread Mix, Caramel Rum sauce, and Spicy Barbecue Rub. Jar Gifts from the Crafting Table projects inlcude elegant fabric-wrapped vases, textured canisters, seasonal candles, playful banks.

Infused $29.78 Infused liqueurs are the hot new ingredients for cocktails. With more than 30 infusions plus dozens of drinks to use them in, Infused combines spirits like vodka and rum with fruits, flowers, herbs, and spices to create superior liqueurs. Take the Gibson and give it a kick with Onion Vodka. Cool down with Watermelon Martinis on warm summer days, or get the heat going with Hot Mint Chocolate spiked with Mind Vodka, a perfect antidote to cold winter nights. Many infusions pair with multiple recipes: herb-infused vodkas enliven both the Rosemary Martini and the Strawberry Basil Martini. Chocolate Vodka is the indulgence in the Chocolate Martini, Brandy Alexander, and the Grasshopper. The versatility of each infusion makes giving a bottle of homemade liqueur a unique gift for any drink connoisseur. With tips on how to shake, stir, and chill, and enough recipes and ideas to reinvent any party, this colorful little book is the ultimate infusion of fun.

Martha Stewart Holidays: Homemade Holidays (Full Frame) $10.86 Bring Martha Stewart home for the holidays! This DVD offers everything one could need for the perfect holiday season. Includes traditional and non-traditional recipes for Christmas dinner, Hanukkah, and holiday baking, plus holiday decorating tips, handmade ornament ideas, as well as gift wrapping ideas. Episode 1: "Holiday Baking" "Chocolate Truffles 101," "Gingerbread People," "Meringue Mushrooms" and "Birch De Noel." Episode 2: - "Holiday Decorating" "Simple Winter Decorating," "Making A Wreath," "Embellishing Wreaths," "Ice Votives," "Spiced Pinecones," "Pearl Tree Topper," "Elegant Table Setting" and "Remnant Stocking." Episode 3: - "Handmade Ornaments" "Millinery Fruit Ornaments," "Candy Gumdrop Ornaments," "Clothespin Ornaments," "Origami Ornaments" and "Ribbon Candy Ornaments." Episode 4: - "Christmas Dinner" "Rib Roast And Yorkshire Pudding," "Seafood Salad," "Baccala Ravioli" and "Duck Breast With Pomegranate Walnut Sauce" Episode 5: - "Hanukkah" "Hanukkah Gelt Bags," "Martha's Potato Pancakes" and "Zalabia." Episode 6: - "Gift Wrapping Good Things" "Gift Wrap Supplies And Storage," "Bubble Print Wrapping Paper" and "Chenille Bump Ribbon Rickrack Cards." Episode 7: - "Handmade Gifts" "Velvet Frame," "Polar Fleece Hats," "Button Necklace," "Magnet Chalkboard," "Candy Wreath" and "Teacher's Gift.". DVD ROM, Interactive Menus. DVD ROM Features:, Printable recipes and how-to instructions, Marshmallow stars, Holiday Planner, Christmas Trees 101, "Ask Marc,", Holiday Pet tips, Christmas Cookie Glossary, plus 13 favorite holiday cookie recipes;, Other: Bonus video:, Martha's Classic Eggnog, Collecting, Christmas Ornaments, Old-Fashioned Sleigh Bells, Inside Boston Ribbon Candy company; Bonus tips & techniques; 10 helpful how-to demonstrations, Featurette, 9-Dual Layer.

Rosemary Wells Collection (Full Frame) $14.96 8 beloved Rosemary Wells stories come to life in this 2 DVD collection. Kids and parents delight watching the original "Max and Ruby" stories plus newer family favorites such as "Noisy Nora" and "Emily's First 100 Days of School". "Noisy Nora": What's a wee little mouse to do when little brother and big sister take up all of Mom and Dad's time? Make noise! "Emily's First 100 Days of School": As the days and weeks of school go by, Emily and her classmates learn new ideas, expand their world, and grow closer together one day at a time. "Voyage To the Bunny Planet": Three bunnies are whisked off to the gentle Bunny Planet - a place that lies "far beyond the moon and stars." "Reading To Your Bunny": An original story by Rosemary Wells highlights the importance of reading to little ones. "Max's Chocolate Chicken": Will Max and Ruby find the most Easter eggs to win the chocolate chicken? Only the Easter Bunny knows for sure. "Max's Christmas": Max is told that he can't stay up to see Santa, but he sneaks down anyway. Will Santa still come if Max is awake? "Morris's Disappearing Dog": Morris thinks his brother and sisters have better Christmas presents. But inside the last box under the tree he finds a magical gift that makes all his troubles disappear. "Otto Runs For President": Who will win the big school election at Barkadelphia School? Popular Tiffany, Sporty Charles, or good friend Otto. Spanish Versions of "Max's Christmas" And "Noisy Nora"; "Rosemary Wells Interviews: Voyage To The Bunny Planet And Otto Runs For President"; "A Visit with Rosemary Wells"; "Gonna Read To My Bunny" Music Video; Read-Along; Talk About The Stories.

Starbucks Coffee & Inspiration Gift Basket $48.99 Holiday preparations are great fun, but what happens when they start to run out of ideas? Keep their sugar-plum visions humming along by giving the Starbucks Coffee and Inspiration Gift Basket . Complete with a variety of original Starbucks blends and complementary crunchy bites, this gift basket is perfect for the elf on the go. Gift Basket Includes Assortment of coffee blends, Walkers shortbread fingers, raspberry cookies, and mug Ensure freshness: During warm weather, we highly recommend selecting "Next Day" or "2 Day" shipping at checkout. We can guarantee proper delivery of chocolates and perishable goods only if one of these delivery options is chosen. After all, you selected chocolates, not chocolate sauce. Also, please note that to avoid spoilage, some perishables may be replaced with items of comparable value and deliciousness. Please note that for this item, the following services are available during the checkout process: Multiple Ship-To , which allows you to send gifts to several recipients with a single order. Future Delivery , which lets you select a specific date for delivery, so your gift arrives at the perfect time. About Givens and Company In the early 1900s, Joseph Givens was a fine foods purveyor in Missouri. He and his family were known for providing delicious assortments of treats and fresh fruits to eager customers. Over 80 years later, the Givens' grandchildren came together to reignite the family tradition, and thus Givens and Company was born in California. In operation since 1987, they are thrilled to provide you with the cream of the crop when it comes to gourmet wine, food, desserts, and fruits straight from California. All of these delicious items are packaged in gorgeous gift baskets and packages that cater to any and all occasions. Givens and Company offers a huge selection designed to suit any need, from dietary restrictions to unique occasions. Whatever your reason for giving a gift, co