Retro Halloween Chocolate Ads

Every year I post several Vintage Halloween Chocolate Ads from the 40s and 50s. Hope you like these as much as I do! Trick or Treat!

 

CHOCOLATE CANDY CORN TRUFFLES

I love candy corn. O.K. it's very sweet, but I only have it a few times a year. Today, October 30, is National Candy Corn Day!  Shouldn't be a surprise since it's an American Halloween tradition, and nothing says Halloween like candy corn!  Shaped like real pieces of corn, candy corn is as fun as it is tasty.  In addition to the original candy corn or yellow, orange and white, there are different varieties, including Indian candy corn which is brown where the original candy corn is yellow, adding a hint of chocolate (it's only a hint and a bit waxy, and it's not real chocolate, but I don't care at Halloween).

The National Confectioners Association estimates that 20 million pounds (9,000 tons) of candy corn are sold annually. The top branded retailer of candy corn, Brach's, sells enough candy corn each year to circle the earth 4.25 times if the kernels were laid end to end. Too much information?

Candy corn was created in the 1880s by the Philadelphia based Wunderlee Candy Company and, by 1900, was being produced by the Goelitz Candy Company (now Jelly Belly), which has continuously produced it for more than a century. Candy corn is shaped like a kernel of corn, a design that made it popular with farmers when it first came out, but it was the fact that it had three colors - a really innovative idea at the time - that made it popular.

Originally, candy corn was made of sugar, corn syrup, fondant and marshmallow, among other things, and the hot mixture was poured into cornstarch molds, where it set up. The recipe changed slightly over time and there are probably a few variations in recipes between candy companies, but the use of a mixture of sugar, corn syrup, gelatin and vanilla (as well as honey, in some brands) is the standard.

Candy makers use a process called corn starch molding. Corn starch is used to fill a tray, creating candy corn shaped indentations. Candy corns are built from the top to the bottom in three waves of color. First, the indentation is partially filled with white syrup. Next, when the white is partially set, they add the the orange syrup. The creation is then finished up by adding the yellow syrup and then cooled. The candy starts fusing together while it cools. After cooling the candies, the trays are dumped out, the corn starch is sifted away, and the candy corn is ready.

I posted a Chocolate Candy Corn Brownie recipe the other day. Jumped the gun on the Holiday! You'll want to make that scrumptious recipe if you have time, but if not, try this simple recipe below is from Sunset Magazine for Chocolate Candy Corn Truffles. I've adapted this recipe a bit, but not much. Perfect for Halloween! 

CHOCOLATE CANDY CORN TRUFFLES

Ingredients
18 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
1 cup whipping cream
1 1/2 tablespoons Grand Marnier
1/4 cup Scottish or dark orange marmalade
1/4 cup unsweetened DARK cocoa powder (not Dutch-processed)
64 candy corns (about 3 oz.)

Directions
Line 8- by 8-inch baking pan with 12- by 17-inch sheet of waxed  or parchment paper.
In large heatproof bowl set over saucepan of hot water, use  heatproof spatula or wooden spoon to stir together chocolate, cream, Grand Marnier, and marmalade until chocolate is melted. Scrape chocolate mixture into prepared pan, smoothing top.
Chill until firm, at least 2 1/2 hours or (covered with plastic wrap) up to 1 week.
Put cocoa powder in shallow bowl. Remove chocolate mixture from pan. With long, sharp knife, cut chocolate mixture into 64 squares, each about 3/4 in. wide. Roll squares in cocoa powder to coat; place 1 square in each paper cup.
Gently press candy corn into top of each truffle.
Store between sheets of waxed paper in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Hurricane Cake

If you're stuck inside today "weathering" Hurricane Sandy, here's an easy cake to make -- if you have electricity or gas. This recipe has been around for ages. You can make it with a German Chocolate Cake Mix or a Devil's Food Cake Mix. Either way, it's delicious.

Hurricane Cake

Ingredients
1/2 cup sweet butter
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup flaked coconut
1 (18.25 ounce) package German Chocolate Cake Mix or Devil's Food Cake Mix
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
1/2 cup sweet butter
3 3/4 cups confectioners sugar

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Melt and spread 1/2 cup butter in bottom of 9x13 inch pan.
Sprinkle coconut and pecans evenly over bottom of pan; set aside.
Prepare cake mix as directed on package.
Pour batter over coconut and pecans in pan.
In saucepan over low heat, melt cream cheese and 1/2 cup butter. Stir in confectioners sugar until mixture is smooth.
Spoon cream cheese mixture randomly over top of cake batter.
Pour batter into prepared pan.
Bake in preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.
Cool and serve from pan.

10 Hurricane Tips & Chocolate Hurricane Cocktail

Hope all my friends on the Eastern Seaboard have their hurricane supplies on hand as Sandy heads that way. Here are a few tips. Be safe!

10 Hurricane Tips:

1. Make sure you have enough emergency supplies such as water (fill jugs and bathtub), batteries, a battery powered radio (retro?), flashlights, first aid kit, canned goods, extra cash, toilet paper,  matches, medicines, can opener, Swiss army knife.

2. Since you will probably lose power, transfer essential foods to a small mini-fridge if you have one, therefore not losing the cold in the main refrigerator by not having to open it as much--or at all.

3. Get important papers and special photos together and secure in plastic.

4. If you have time, video or photograph your property (this will help with insurance later).

5. Make sure you have pet supplies, crate, carriers in easy reach. If you need medication for your pets, have it handy.

6. Have clothes and sleeping gear together in a closet in case you need to go to a shelter.

7. If you can, put plywood on windows that will get the brunt of the storm. If you don't have any plywood, criss-cross windows with duct tape. Take in or tie down any objects outside that might fly around--patio furniture, toys, garbage cans, garden tools, etc.

8. To keep the kids calm (without power), have board games and cards ready, play charades or other non-electrical dependent games. Do arts and crafts projects.

9. Make sure you have an emergency plan to contact other family members to check on safety.

10. Stay inside!

After the All-Clear Signal:

1. Check for power lines that are down and stay away from them.

2. Drink bottled water until you know your water is safe.

3. Check on neighbors.

4. Replenish your emergency supplies in case there's a next time.

And, because this is a Chocolate Blog:

CHOCOLATE HURRICANE COCKTAIL

1 oz Captain Morgan® Parrot Bay coconut rum
1 oz Godiva® chocolate liqueur
1 3/4 oz orange juice
1 splash lemon juice

Pour all ingredients into cocktail shaker half-filled with ice cubes. 

Shake well, strain into a cocktail glass, and serve.