HiveComb

      My favorite gifts to give a person are from my kitchen. Ready to heat meals, breads, cookies, pies, cakes, are peryou have a few recipes under your belt and a few tricks stashed in your apron.

      Homemade chocolate candies are the most fun to create. Tailoring a batch to the tastes of the recipient makes each gift unique. The choices of molds are impressive and can suit any taste. They range from general shapes like hearts and seashells to specialized characters (I have my eyes on a Han Solo frozen in carbonite mold) and even to body parts (the internet loves to display tiny chocolate schwangs).

      After choosing what shape you’ll want the candies to be, comes the decision on what chocolate to use and if they’ll be filled. As much as finances allow, use the highest quality chocolate that you’re able to purchase. Some of the cheaper chocolates have additional ingredients and off flavors that you’ll not want in your treats. Those eating your candies will thank you.

      The easiest to make are solid chocolates. Simply fill the mold, tap it on the table a few times to remove those tiny pockets of air, smooth off the tops, and let set. If you’re looking to fill your chocolates, take care that whatever you choose as the filling does not contain excessive moisture. Your lovely candies will quickly leak, giving the chocolate a dull gray cast on it called bloom. This is from sugar being drawn to the surface by the moisture. (Also a good reason to store your candies in a cool and dry location.)

      When possible, take the extra steps to temper your chocolates. It's an additional step that makes a world of difference in the appearance of your candies. It gives them that sheen and snap that all good chocolates are known for.

art and flair courtesy of @PegasusPhysics

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