Dessert Themed Candy

You would think that making a dessert themed candy would be easy. Some people even think that desserts and candies are pretty much the same thing. While I will agree that there is some crossover between desserts and candy, saying they're the same thing is like saying lunch and dinner are the same thing. While both are similar and can even have similar ingredients, there's a certain something that differentiates these two meal, and the same is true with candy and desserts. This is why I find that not all dessert themed candies work. I feel like the people that come up with these dessert/candy combinations don't really understand the difference, and I even think they figure mixing these two themes is an easy combination.

My latest review is an attempt to mix a dessert with a candy, it tastes pretty good, but I don't think it worked.

I've got another Cow Tales review going up later this week, make sure to follow me on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter to check it out.

Don't forget to get my latest comic collection called Snack Facts if you want to learn even more about sweet treats.

CC

Candy in the Media - A Funny Commercial is Good

The folks at Eater have pointed out (check it out here) how nice it is to see that new advertising might not just focus on how we're all miserable.

CC

This Week In Candy

I don't like to be political on this blog. I believe that snacks, candy, and treats are universally loved no matter what political party you align yourself with.  This week's American election was a pretty big deal, no matter what the result, history was going to be made.  This got me thinking, what could I enjoy during this election that would be both neutral, yet also yummy.  I decided on brownies (root beer brownies to be precise), but you may be asking why is a brownie neutral?  It's simple, brownies are good for both celebrating and consoling.  If you show up to a party with a batch of brownies, people are not sad.  However, if your friend just broke up with their significant other, and you show up at their house with brownies, it's pretty good at consoling them.  I figured that brownies are the perfect election treat, if you're happy with the results, yeah brownies! If you're not happy, sorry to hear about your loss, brownies.

Here at Candy Critic we're gearing up for our trip to New York. We've got a few plans already worked out, including a stop at Dylan's Candy Bar.  I first went to Dylan's so many years ago, and it became a regular stop for me whenever I visited New York. Since I haven't been there in a while, I'm interested in seeing how it's changed.  I'm also looking forward to seeing what kind of Christmas treats and treasures I come across on this trip. You can keep up with our New York trip by following us on Twitter or Facebook. Also let me know if you have any other New York tips for me?

All our regular posts are ready to go on the blog this week.  I'm also looking at re-starting our Instagram feed Snack Facts.  Likely it'll be in the new year, but that's coming up pretty quickly.

This week's new review is about as Canadian as it gets. If you know a Canadian you'll know why, if you don't then it might be a bit of a mystery. I can tell you that these made me very happy to be back home. Click here to read this very Canadian review.

CC

A Brownie Baking Candy Thing

I've met several people who are totally obsessed with the edge of the brownie.  They say that it's the tastiest part, and it's gone so far that companies are producing pans that make as many edges as possible for your brownies.  Personally I like the center bit myself, it's chewy, and if your brownie are iced it's often the part with the thickest icing.  It's not that I dislike the edges, I just don't think they're the best part. So where's my baking pan, with more center and less edge?

CC

Stuff I Want To Try

Brownie Brittle Snacks -  Brownie Brittle LLC - Because three of my favorite words are "brownie, brittle, and snack". - Click here to learn more about this treat.

CC

It's National Chocolate Caramel Day!

I've been lucky to have some really nice weather where I am now.  So I decided that the best way to celebrate this wonderful holiday would be to enjoy a bottle of iced tea, a small chocolate donut, and a caramel chocolate brownie.

CC

It's National Creme Cheese Brownie Day!

I'm not sure if I could tell you the difference between a "Creme Cheese Brownie" and a not creme cheese brownie, but since I support the eating of brownies in just about any form I've decided to promote this holiday.

CC

Cheech and Chong Need Fiber

I can't tell you how much I thought that this commercial was going to suck.  I figured it would be a cliche series of scenes depicting how old Cheech and Chong are and how they need fiber... well because old people need fiber.  Instead they pretty much blew my mind with a series of classic Cheech and Chong moments followed by the punch line I was waiting for.

CC

The Brownie Origins Are a Mystery

According to this article I found in Friends Eat, the origin of the brownie is a bit of a mystery.  All they're fairly sure about is that it was created in the US, and that it probably happened in the early 1900s.  Not only is the origin a bit of a mystery, but according this article the definition is also a little hazy.  Apparently the only thing a brownie really needs is dark chocolate.

Click here to read an article that leaves you with more questions than answers.

CC

The Brownie Song

I should first of all mention that this clip is relatively NSFW. I should also mention that I did a little work on this back in my animation days.  It's kind of twisted and sick, but a whole lot of fun, songs also really catchy too.

CC

Simply Burger Brownie Updated

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to meet someone kind of cool.  I met the founder and owner of Simply Burger, a tasty chain of burger places here in Athens.  Simply Burger is one of my "go to" places here in Athens. I like it because the burgers are good quality, and they remind me a little of home.  My favorite addition is a brownie that they give away on the side of each order.  Brian (the owner) told me that the brownies have changed, so a burger was in order.  Fortunately for me, Allison agreed and she surprised me with an order for dinner the other night.  The burger was tasty, and the brownie had in fact changed.  In the past the brownie appeared to be more "home made" and now it's in a package.  The good news is that it still tastes really good.  The brownie package also gave away a mysterious flavour that I couldn't figure out last time I tried one.  It appears that the brownie contains coffee.  It's funny, chocolate flavoured coffee makes sense to me, but I'd never thought of coffee brownies before.

CC

Today Is National Cream Cheese Brownie Day

I can't say I've ever tried a "Cream Cheese Brownie", nor do I know anybody who makes them.  The idea sounds yummy though.

CC

It's National Brownie Day

The last brownie I had (pictured above) was about 3 months ago from a burger chain here in Athens.  They give you a free brownie with each meal.  Do you think 3 months is too long between brownies?

CC

Two Links About Brownies

First of all Mental Floss (a new favorite blog I now read) has what they call a "Dietribe" all about Brownies.  They go on to explain a little history and some fun facts about one of my favorite desert squares.

Click here to check it out.

Also Carthage Press asks "Would you eat sugar free Pillsbury brownies?  I would probably try them once, but unless they're really better than the originals I probably wouldn't get them again.  The only reason I might go for them a second time would involve a case of Diabetes, but if that happens I assure you I'd have other priorities.

Click here here to find out what Carthage Press had to say about these sugar free brownies.

CC

Simply Burger

I've learned something about Greece in the couple of weeks. It has to do with their selection of Hamburgers/Cheeseburgers. The thing about their burgers is you really have only one extreme or another when it comes to quality of burgers in this town. They're either really fancy (and often expensive) or fast food like (and cheap). You really don't get the middle ground here at all. Take for example this burger I got at a place called "Simply Burger".

First of all it comes in a fancy brown box to keep it from getting even slightly damaged.

Even cooler is they separate the hot side of your burger with the cool side, and they keep the cheese from sticking to the top of the box. This is a nice touch that McDonald's achieved once with the famous McDLT.

They also give you a free brownie with each meal. Frankly a free brownie is the Candy Critic's hallmark of a classy joint.

CC

Why Would You Ruin Brownies?

I guess of you needed Marijuana for purely medical reasons I could understand baking pot brownies. After all as Mary Poppins says "A spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down". But for any other reason I say your wasting a perfectly good batch of chocolaty treats.

Click here to read about the problems with Pot Brownies.

CC

Apparently It’s News That Kim Kardashian Is Eating a Brownie

I’m not sure why but if you’re famous enough and you like sweet treats, it’s worth a headline.

Click here to read more.

CC

Early Spring Review

Why in the world would I review a brownie now? I think it might have something to do with all of the mud on the ground in my neck of the woods. With spring upon us plants are blooming, animals are scurrying, and mud… is well everywhere. Strange as it might seem when I see mud I often think of chocolate. More particularly I always think of chocolate pudding with brownie mashed into it. I’ve never actually tried to eat brownie and chocolate pudding mixed together but I’m sure that’s more out of fear that I would love it, and then proceed to eat mud because I couldn’t stop myself.

Click here to read the review.

CC