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).

flourchylde Bakery - Little Black Dress; Trader Joe's gluten-free brownie mix - March 4, 2012

Chocolates of the Day: 

1.) flourChylde Bakery
Little Black Dress
Good + - Very Good
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42 g.)/ 3 oz. (84 g.) total item (estimate)
Calories: 190 calories (guesstimate)
Cost: $4.50 for 1 small torte
Purchased from: flourChylde, farmers market, San Francisco, CA

Today was Day #5 of Chocolate Brownie Theme Week. On the way into the Chocolate Salon at Fort Mason in San Francisco this morning, I found a wheat-free brownie-looking chocolate torte called the Little Black Dress (made with bittersweet chocolate, espresso and Brandy) from flourChylde Bakery (Novato, CA). Bringing this into a chocolate tradeshow was a little like carrying coals to Newcastle. Too much chocolate in one day? Never. I split this torte with a few other chocolate lovers.

2.) Trader Joe's
Gluten Free Brownie baking mix
Very Good
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 16 oz. (1 Lb.) (454 g.) total bag/package
Calories: 120 calories (guesstimate)
Cost: $3.99 for 1 bag/package of mix
Purchased from: Trader Joe's, Mountain View, CA

After I returned home from the Chocolate Salon earlier today, I made a batch of Trader Joe's Gluten Free Brownies from a package of baking mix. I used a silicone "Brownie Bite" molded sheet, that resulted a plate of snack sized gems, about the size of charcoal briquettes; only warm brownies, fresh out of the oven, are, I would guess, about 100 times better tasting.

WOW Baking Company - Peppermint Brownie - March 3, 2012

Chocolate of the Day: 

Wow Baking Company
Peppermint Brownie
Good +
Weight: .5 oz. (14.1 g.)/ 12 oz. (255 g.) total container
Calories: 70 calories
Cost: $7.99 total container
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #4 of Chocolate Brownie Theme Week.

These small, wheat- and gluten-free Peppermint Brownie squares packed in a plastic container, from Wow Baking Company (Kent, WA) were great, except for the fact that they were a bit on the old side. The insides were still moist enough to be able to enjoy, and the oil of peppermint flavoring tasted very natural.

Mariposa Baking Company - Walnut Truffle Brownie - March 2, 2012

Chocolate of the Day: 

Mariposa Baking Company
Walnut Truffle Brownie
Good + - Very Good
Weight: 2.25 oz. (63.6 g.) 1 brownie
Calories: 276 calories
Cost: $2.99 for 1 brownie
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #3 of Chocolate Brownie week.

If you're thinking this Walnut Truffle Brownie from Mariposa Baking Company (Oakland, CA) looks familiar, you are correct.

Yesterday's Triple Chocolate Truffle Brownie was also from Mariposa. Both were gluten-free and wheat-free, individually wrapped brownie squares. Yesterday's brownie a little moister, which earned it a slightly higher rating than today's. Both were quite good.