Williams-Sonoma - Peppermint Bark Bite - March 11, 2012

Chocolate of the Day:

Williams-Sonoma, Inc.
Peppermint Bark Bite
Good ++
Weight: .6 oz. (17 g.) / 1.2 oz. (34 g.) total piece/package
Calories: 85 calories
Cost: $2.36 (sale)
Purchased from: Williams-Sonoma store in Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #5 of Chocolate and Mint Theme Week.

This Peppermint Bark Bit (rectangular bar) from Williams-Sonoma (San Francisco) was made up of two layers fused together: a dark chocolate layer and a white chocolate layer (both from Guittard) -- with bits of peppermint candy sprinkled on top. 

Russell Stover - Mint Patty - March 10, 2012

Chocolate of the Day:

Russell Stover
Mint Patty
Good +
Weight: .5 oz. (14.3 g.)/20.7 oz. bag of individually wrapped chocolates
Calories: 63 calories
Cost: $9.99 total bag/package
Purchased from: Walgreen's in Palo Alto, CA

Today's chocolate was an individually-wrapped Mint Patty from Russell Stover (Kansas City, MO). A lustrous dark chocolate coating (made with real chocolate the label assured me) covered a sweet, pearl white translucent center that was flavored with peppermint oil.

Today was Day #4 of Chocolate and Mint Theme Week.

Trader Vic's Grasshopper drink; Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark dark bar - March 9, 2012

Chocolate of the Day: 

1.) Trader Vic's
Grasshopper (drink)
Good + - Very Good
Weight: 3.5 fl. oz. (estimate)
Calories: n/A
Cost: $7.00
Purchased from: Trader Vics; in Palo Alto, CA

2.) Ghirardelli Chocolate Co.
Peppermint Bark with Dark Chocolate bar
Weight: 1/8 bar; 3 oz. (85 g.) total bar
Calories: 55 calories in 1 square
Cost: $not available
Purchased from: Walgreens, in Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #3 of Chocolate and Mint Theme Week.

The Trader Vic's Grasshopper was a mixed drink -- made with creme de cacao and creme de menthe -- and garnished with a sprig of fresh mint. Trader Vic's is based in San Francisco, and helped popularize the Singapore Sling and other tiki bar style drinks in the U.S. It was a fun place to enjoy a cocktail. This Grasshopper was a sweeter, after dinner drink, but still quite enjoyable.

I also sampled a bit of a Peppermint Bark bar with a layer of white chocolate (embedded with peppermint candy pieces), fused to a layer of dark chocolate on the back, from Ghirardelli Chocolate -- another company with a great history in San Francisco. Ghirardelli also made individual peppermint bark squares, which I'd tried a few years ago.

Bissinger's - Peppermint Chocolate Bar - March 8, 2012

Chocolate of the Day: 

Bissinger's
Peppermint Chocolate Bar
Good + - Very Good
Weight: 2.5 oz. (71 g.) total bar
Calories: 360 calories
Cost: $4.99 total bar
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, in Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #2 of Chocolate and Mint Theme Week. This Peppermint bar from Bissinger's (St. Louis, MO) was made, in a gluten-free facility, with both dark and white chocolate. The very natural tasting peppermint flavor helped boost my enjoyment of this bar that was decorated with crunchy flecks of peppermint candy.

Russell Stover - Peppermint Creams - March 7, 2012

Chocolate of the Day: 

Russell Stover
Peppermint Creams
Good - Good +
Weight: .30 oz. (8.68 g.) / 4.9 oz. (139 g.) total box of 4
Calories: 35 calories in 1 bite
Cost: (missing information)
Purchased from: (missing information)

These large, glossy, dark chocolate Peppermint Creams from Russell Stover (Kansas City, MO) were filled with fluffy white peppermint centers.

All was good with these, with one small exception: there was a very slight artificial taste to these. It could have been because this box dated back to the Christmas holidays, or due to the actual artificial flavoring listed in the ingredients. Regardless, there was nothing wrong with dark chocolate + minty fresh breath, all in one go.

Today was Day #1 of Chocolate and Mint Theme Week.

Gefen - Brownie Cookies - March 6, 2012

Chocolate of the Day:

Gefen Brownie Cookies - Gluten-Free
(Product of Israel)
Manufactured for Kenover Marketing Corp. (Brooklyn, NY)
Good - Good +
Weight: .7 oz. (20 g.)/ 5.3 oz. (150 g.) total box
Calories: 90 calories in 2 cookies
Cost: $3.99 for total box
Purchased from: Safeway, in Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #7 of Chocolate Brownie Theme Week.

This week has, thus far, covered bars, bites, and brownie squares. Today it was time for "100% Gluten-Free" Brownie Cookies (from Israel).

These small "Biscuits de Brownie" cookies were crunchy, and sweet, and slightly starchy. Good with fresh fruit.

ad hoc - Gluten Free Brownie Mix - March 5, 2012

Chocolate of the Day: 

ad hoc
Brownie Mix - Gluten Free
Very Good +
Weight: 2.5 oz. (70.7 g.) / 1 lb., 11.4 oz. (776 g.) total box of mix
Calories: 220 calories (estimate)
Cost: $18.95 total box
Purchased from: Williams-Sonoma, in Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #6 of Chocolate Brownie Theme Week.

These brownies made by Chef Thomas Keller for Williams-Sonoma (stores) were expensive, and they required more steps, and a few more pans than most brownie mixes. I found myself slightly annoyed at these facts...until I tried one of these dark, moist brownies (made with Guittard chocolate) this evening. It was fantastic. Light in texture, rich in flavor.

The four eggs, butter (plus a little oil), and Guittard chocolate chips that were mixed in, all contributed to the great taste.

I also had fun decorating one brownie with a "brownie tattoo" from Gartner Studios (Duff Goldman line - of Charm City Cakes).