Chocolate....chocolate...chocolate...oooooooooooohhhhhh!

Hey, Kinda says it all---doesn't it????I have some amazing things to tell you  that involve chocolate......

For example---when you walk in to Kroger---everyone has probably bought a box ( for the Holidays) of Esther Price chocolates...but did you know, that they, Esther Price, have a complete showroom of candy-----chocolate candy---in Silverton, Ohio????? Yep---right down the street--on Montgomery Road, South of the Kenwood Towne Center.....it is a nice field trip for the Holidays......and a heavenly place to visit. lol

Remember---Loveland does "Christmas in Loveland" ...
In Loveland, Ohio----there is a Candy Sweet Shop--with candy-ice cream-hot chocolate----and cases of the candy we all grew up with, old fashioned candies----all under one roof. Loveland Sweets.
Right in the middle of old Loveland---the main drag thru town----right beside Paxton's restaurant and Pizazz---a funky neato gift shop....cute stuff.

Where else could we score some chocolate?

Well, one clue I will tell you...and here I say---

Never-never expect to hear anything negative on this blog.....I will fill you in on stuff to be aware of---from my own personal experiences and giving my opinion...yet it is just an FYI....nothing more.

If you buy---from Whole Foods---some of the most lucious desserts-yes, some are chocolate, they could also be Vegan....meaning, I bought a beautiful piece of cake ( sliced and packaged-from their case)  and said cake was made with ingredients...that would not melt--like normal chocolate or butter creme.....When I took the piece back to the store---weeks later--still looking like it did when I purchased it...I was told some of the items were Vegan....wellll....that is fine---but I like cake to melt in ones mouth so to speak---not stay in solid form. Good reason to read labels.......

I want to give two simple recipes that involve  chocolate------so we begin with an easy chocolate cheesecake.......

First:
Buy at the store------in the sugar-spices aisle...a No-bake cheesecake.......
Fix all of the ingredients as directed---however-----after forming the crust---on a lovely dish---take a container of chocolate ( your choice) frosting ( you would purchase to frost a cake) and layer the top of the crust with this, before you add the cheesecake filling on top......bingo---easy----can even add choc. chunks--break up a candy bar-----into top---or shave choc. on top----use a cheese grater to shave a bar of choc.///you can also add finely chopped nuts on top, too.......sprinkle over the top.....chill to set it all up.....easy...will look and taste fab....

Also----the Cheesecake factory at the Kenwood Towne Center has amazing full size cheesecakes for sale........oh yea!

Second one: 

Everyone may know the Thumbprint cookie deal-----if not-----simple roll of sugar cookies------bake according to directions----add a Hershey's Kiss--in the middle of  the cookie when it leaves the oven....make a variation on this theme.....add other goodie fillers......pistashios...chopped, with sugar dusted over the top of the cookie----green sugar......ohhhhhh.

In this post---even tho it is not chocolate---I want to share the cutest idea I have ever seen----(can be chocolate cake mix).....lol

Bake a cupcake----cool and then frost with white icing. You can also sprinkle coconut on the  cupcake after frosted...then place two marshmallows on top of each other-( we are building a snow-man) then add a black jeally-bean for the hat----small carrot slices for the nose...and sprinkles for the eyes.....is adorable. And pretty darn easy.

Well we are due for some snow....and that is when the things we love mean the most..... to curl up with.....
I may post about Boston next......where to go--what to visit---places you don't want to miss if you visit.......until then....stay warm and cozy.......ta.