New Trident Layers: Wild Strawberry + Tangy Citrus and Green Apple + Golden Pineapple

Good news for all of us gum lovers -- as of September we have a new flavor of Trident gum. It's called Trident Layers and it comes in two different flavors: Wild Strawberry + Tangy Citrus and Green Apple + Golden Pineapple.

This new layered concept developed by Cadbury North America, the maker of Trident sugar free gum, is a unique marriage of bold flavors and textures for an unparalleled, delicious new gum experience. 

For those of you who haven't had the opportunity to try it or see it pay close attention. Trident Layers brings a whole layer infused with real fruit flavor and a double taste sensation of luscious fruitiness that come together as you chew. 

We all know that the fastest growing segment in the gum industry is fruit flavors, so Trident came up with the first of it's kind, and the best part is that it's sugar free. Personally I enjoyed the Wild Strawberry and Tangy Citrus flavor better, but they are both very good. 

Trident Layers is the newest addition to the Trident family of products that also includes five lines of sugar-free gums. Single packs will cost $1.49 and are available in convenience, mass merchandise, grocery and drug stores and other retail outlets. I found mine at my school's store!

Chew away!

Tartufo - Italian ice cream truffles

Over the years Italians have been known and recognized for their food, soccer and gelato. Their fame is not to be blamed, it's true that they have the best of the three. One of my favorite desserts of all time is the Tartufo. 

A tartufo is an Italian ice cream dessert. It usually has two flavors of ice cream with either fruit syrup or frozen fruit in the center. It is originally covered in a shell made of milk chocolate.

Growing up with an Italian family, you know we always had amazing food on our table. But since I am very picky with food, I couldn't wait until it was dessert time. Tartufo has been a tradition in my family and now it's becoming more and more available in South Florida restaurants. However, this doesn't mean that they are good everywhere. 

The best places to eat a tartufo are Italian restaurants with a good reputation. Last week my family and I went to Casa D'Angelo, not only did we enjoy a true Italian dinner, but the dessert menu was filled with many choices. 

I had a very hard time making up my mind, but as a true fan of the tartufo, you know I had to have one -- only this time I ordered two. But in my defense, they were two different kinds. The good thing about the tartufo is that there are many combinations of ice cream flavor so it fits everybody's preferences. The most common one is the chocolate and vanilla. So I ordered it. 

Yum, yum! It was good beyond belief but I figured since it is the one I'm

used to ordering, why not try something different -- so I did. I ordered a Mango tartufo. You are probably wondering: Mango??

Yes, mango!! And although I was afraid at first, the white chocolate cover and the mango ice cream are a match made in heaven. 

Casa D'Angelo is the only restaurant where I've found this kind of tartufo, but if you know of any other restaurants that have a tartufo flavor you think it's unusual, please share it with me! 

Click here to learn how the people from Epicurious make their tartufo.

Desserts to share during Thanksgiving dinner

Thanksgiving is fastly approaching. Before you know it it's here and you don't have a clue what to do for dessert. Your mom and dad are coming, your siblings and maybe one or two friends, what are you going to do? Don't worry, My Sweet Dessert Addiction is here to help!

There is a history behind every holiday, but Thanksgiving is a very special one. Historically, it was a religious observation day where they got together to give thanks to God and the Native Americans for helping the pilgrims. Thanksgiving didn't become a federal holiday until 1941.

As a tradition, the food is a very important part of this holiday. Everybody calls it "Turkey Day" instead of Thanksgiving. I'm sure you already have thought who is cooking this year, and since every year it's the same food custom, why not break free from the routine and surprise everybody with a new dessert.

There are so many different desserts you can try to do. Here are a few:

• Pumpkin Pie
• Pumpkin Trifle
• Pumpkin Bars
• Pumpkin Cheesecake

Of course pumpkin will be the number one ingredient of the season, but as you can see there are many different recipes you can make using this fresh fruit. That's right, pumpkins are not vegetables because they have seeds which make them fruits.

Click here for a fun Turkey Day quiz!

Desserts for Diabetics

I feel like I am leaving behind some pretty important people. These people might find that it's hard to look at my blog and not be able to go running to the places I name and buy the desserts I recommend. These people are diabetics.

My grandfather is the reason why I eat sugar like I do, but not too long ago he was diagnosed with cancer and later on they found he had become a diabetic. For dessert lovers, like my grandpa and I, telling us we can't eat anything with sugar is like taking away a spark or our life.

In fact some people even think their life is going to change 100% and they need to go on a complete new diet. But according to the book Healthy Calendar: Diabetic Cooking, if people are too restrictive and don't allow themselves any sweets or favorite foods, they can get frustrated and go on binges.

Luckily this isn't the end of your life! There are many ways to satisfy your sweet tooth and still be aware of your diabetes. Here are some:

• Fruit treats such as a fruit salad with yogurt dressing
• No-sugar hot chocolate with a sprinkle of cinnamon on top
• A low-calorie parfait made of sugar free pudding
• Sugar-free gelatin

For more dessert recipes for diabetics, check out WebMD's article: 7 Healthy Desserts for Your Diabetes Diet.

So now if you are a diabetic or know somebody who is one, prepare one of these ideas and bring some sweet smiles to people. I know I'm gonna go make some sugar-free gelatin and bring it to my grandpa.

And remember, if you ate cake, candy, chocolate or ice cream before you were diagnosed, you still can with all the options available out there for you to satisfy your sweet hunger and still be safe.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Yes, it's finally here: Halloween! The holiday where everybody can be anybody and were candy flows like no other.

Hopefully you read my Top 10 favorite Halloween candy list and my Top 10 worse Halloween candy list and you are prepared to give kids the best Halloween of their lives. If not, you still have time to go get them.

Please be careful today if you're driving or if you're trick-or-treating. Remember the best thing about Halloween it's waking up the next day and eating all the candy. 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! 

Linda's Fudge Cake at The Cheesecake Factory

After I wrote about the Best Chocolate Cake in Boca Raton, I figured this isn't the only place that offers a wide variety of amazing chocolate cakes. For example, one chain of restaurants that is affordable and has many kinds is The Cheesecake Factory.

Everybody has a Cheesecake Factory near them, and it is a great place to take your friends and family for some drinks, fun and of course dessert.

The good thing about this restaurant is that they have many desserts to choose from, not only cheesecakes -- which by the way are amazing!

So I went one day with my journalism friends and after sharing some laughs and jokes, we got down to business:

"May I please have a Linda's Fudge Cake?," I said.

"May I please have a Warm Apple Crisp?," said my friend Stephanie.

"May I please have a Black-out Cake?," said my other friend Ana.

You could imagine our waiter's thoughts -- three girls ordering three desserts? Wow! But we couldn't help it, they are so good.

Linda's Fudge Cake is actually a mix of chocolate, with chocolate, some chocolate and sprinkled with chocolate chips. It's rich in flavor and it's not dry inside. You might want to order a glass of water just in case you get thirsty, and although it only comes with whip cream, I recommend you ask for a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side.

Although this should be my only portion of sweets for a whole year, that was then and today is a brand new day.

The Pledge of Chocoholics Pride

Happy 1st National Chocolate Day...once again! 

As you all know, today is National Chocolate Day, or at least one of them. As a true chocoholic -- a person who is excessively fond of chocolate -- you need to take the following chocoholic pride pledge:

"I am proud to be a chocoholic, I dip my cookie with pride.

The days grow cold and the nights grow long when I don't have my bar by my side.

Whether by bar or by spoon a mouthful won't do. The cocoa craving must be satisfied.

Domestic or imported, it has been reported that by cookie, cake, bar or drink, it will keep your true love alive."

Now, dig in and enjoy your chocolate dessert that you should enjoy with love and respect! 

Happy Chocolate Day: Best Chocolate Cake in Boca Raton

HAPPY 1st DAY OF NATIONAL CHOCOLATE DAY!

If you are wondering if I made a mistake in my title, you're wrong. National Chocolate Day is celebrated October 28, November 28

 and December 29. Like we need more reasons to indulge ourselves in some yummy chocolate!

Since chocolate is America's favorite flavor for ice cream, cakes and candy, it was only fair that it had three days in it's honor. I hope I don't need to tell you how to celebrate this day... you eat chocolate of course!  

May I offer some suggestions for your sweet chocolate day?

• Breakfast: First, you can start your day by eating you favorite chocolate cereal and finish it with some chocolate doughnuts. 
• Mid-morning snack: What better than a chocolate candy bar to give you a boost in the middle of your morning and hold your stomach until lunch time.
• Lunch: A glass of chocolate milk to accompany your meal and don't forget to eat a slice of chocolate pie or chocolate pudding for dessert.
• Mid-afternoon snack: Try some chocolate covered raisins. This way you will be combining fruits and vegetables. 
• Dinner: If you are an adult, you could drink some chocolate liqueur or chocolate flavored coffee at the end of dinner. And for dessert, none other than a slice of chocolate cake.
• Nighttime snack: If you don't know what's missing in this delicious menu, then we have  a problem. Chocolate ice cream with a cherry on top of course! 

Before I reveal to you the restaurant in Boca Raton that has the most amazing chocolate cake, I want to share with my fellow sweet lovers interesting facts about chocolate.

Did you know that chocolate is considered a vegetable? Yes, it derives from the Cacao trees found in the rain forest. So when mom and dad ask you if you ate your vegetables this week, you can honestly say: YES! 

And now... the moment you've all been waiting for: the time where I reveal the best chocolate cake in Boca Raton. The ones that hold the title are J. Alexander's with their "Very Best Chocolate Cake" -- a homemade chocolate cake made with Hershey's chocolate and served with vanilla ice cream. 

It is rich in flavor and spongy in the middle, while the outside is a little softer coat of chocolate. It is made with three different types of Hershey's chocolate and they bake the cakes every morning to maintain the freshness and uniqueness of this "Very Best Chocolate Cake" -- and they got the name right for sure!

If you have a chance to drive by any J. Alexander's, make sure you stop by and try their chocolate cake and share with us your experience!

Now go wild and eat all you can eat of chocolate while you can and have a Happy Chocolate Day!

Pirouette Rolled Wafers

Sometimes you are home and you get a craving but you don't know what you want, or maybe you don't have the right thing at home. Let me help you make up your mind by writing down what you need from the grocery store:

GROCERY LIST:

1. Pepperidge Farm Pirouette Rolled Wafers
2. Pepperidge Farm Pirouette Rolled Wafers
3. Pepperidge Farm Pirouette Rolled Wafers

Today we are going to talk about Pirouettes... no you don't have to be a ballerina to understand because we'll talk about Pepperidge Farm Pirouette Rolled Wafers. 

These slender, delicious and long sticks are perfect to share with friends and family. You can 

bring them to a party or eat them at home by yourself. They are crisp outside and filled with a creamy filling that comes in a variety of flavors to satisfy everybody.

There are four flavors: 

1. Chocolate Hazelnut
2. French Vanilla
3. Mint Chocolate
4. Chocolate Fudge

Although all of them are good and tasty, my favorite one is the original chocolate hazelnut. And my least favorite is the french vanilla, but that's because I don't like vanilla very much. However, some people might find the chocolate ones to be too much and prefer a vanilla filling. See why I say they satisfy everybody's palate? 

As long as price range goes, Pepperidge Farm products aren't the most inexpensive products in your local grocery store, but they range around $6. But I do think it's worth every penny, after all you have to satisfy those cravings! 

Skittles Vodka

Well, well, well... Surfing the web, I found a very interesting recipe: Skittles Vodka. 

Yeah, I know it sound weird, but for those who love Skittles and Vodka, this could be the ultimate drink!

According to Mix That Drink, a website that offers cocktail recipes, infusing vodka with Skittles is a very popular trend and they teach us how to do it.

Here is what you'll need:

• One 1.75 liter bottle of vodka
• Five 8.5 ounce flasks or bottles
• One 1 lb bag of Skittles
• Five empty plastic water bottles
• A funnel
• Bowls for separating the Skittles into flavors
• A measuring cup
• Coffee filters or paper towels

Follow these easy steps and you'll finally get your anxiously awaiting drink:

1. Separate Skittles into flavors: You need about 60 of each color.
2. Set up your infusion bottles: Fill your water bottles with six ounces of vodka. 
3. Add the Skittles: Pour the Skittles of one flavor into one infusion bottle, then pour the next flavor Skittles into the next infusion bottle, and so on until all five bottles have a pile of Skittles soaking in the vodka.
4. Start Shaking: Now your infusion bottles all have Skittles in the bottom. Give each bottle a good shake -- the more the better. After shaking them, set them aside for a few hours. It's a good idea to shake them again. NOTICE: You'll see a lot of white muck floating at the top, don't worry you'll take care of that in the next step.
5. Strain: Put a funnel inside a measuring cup and put about four or five coffee filters inside the funnel. Then, pour one of the infusions into this strainer setup. At the end you'll have about eight ounces of Skittle infused vodka. Take the liquid from the measuring cup and pour it into a flask (using a clean funnel). Repeat each step for every flavor.
6. Chill and Serve: Now you've got five flasks or bottles of Skittles infused vodka. All you have to do now is stick them in the freezer for several hours, and they are ready to be served.

CAUTION: These are very strong on their own -- nearly pure Vodka. 

For a Halloween party you could try different bottles. You can be creative and serve your neon-based colored concoctions in spooky lab flasks or potion bottles. 

Cheers!

Skittles: "Taste the Rainbow" with all flavors

Dear sweet lovers, as you may very well know I have an obsession with everything that has sugar in it, but when it comes to choosing my ultimate favorite candy, there is only one that has been, is and will always be my #1: SKITTLES! 

Oh yeah, since I was a little girl I developed a passion for Skittles, and 

they never fail me. They are always fresh, every store has them and they keep making new flavors to keep it cool. What else can a girl ask for?

The brand Skittles is produced by Mars, Inc. and it has been in the market since 1974 in England. However, they were first introduced in North America in 1979. 

In case you haven't tried them -- if so, get in your car and drive to your nearest grocery store and buy them -- they are a chewy flavored candy with sugar shells. The inside is mainly sugar and hydrogenated vegetable oil along with fruit juice, citric acid and natural and artificial flavors. 

Over the years they have experimented with different fruits, flavors and colors. Some of these varieties are only released for a limited time; others are available only in some parts of the world. But the oldest skittles product is Original Flavor Skittles.

Earlier Skittles products tended to focus on fruit flavors, more recent products have branched out to include flavors such as chocolate, mint and sours. They also come in a variety of colors, although different Skittles products often use the same colors for candies with different flavors.

Next, you'll find a list with my favorite Skittles in order of preference:  

1. Original Flavor Skittles: Of course they are my favorite! Not only were they the first ones to come out in 1974, but they are a perfect balance of fruit flavors and colors that wakes up your senses of taste, smell and sight. The fruit flavors found in this kind are: Grape, Lemon, Lime, Orange and Strawberry. 
2. Crazy Cores: This are the newest addition to the family of Skittles. They came out in 2008 and the interesting fact about them is that they are one flavor in the outside, and another on the inside. The fruit flavors found in this kind are: Blue Raspberry and Lemon, Cherry and Lemonade, Mango and Peach, Melon and Berries, and Strawberry and Watermelon. These weird combinations will make your head go crazy for some crazy cores!
3. Tropical: This mix was launched in 1989, and it's my third option of Skittles. The fruit flavors in this tropical mix are: Banana Berry, Kiwi Lime, Mango Tangelo, Pineapple Passion Fruit and Strawberry Starfruit. 
4. Wild Berry: Just like the Tropical mix, the Wild Berry Skittles were launched in 1989. Although some of the flavors are good, I am not a huge fan of the whole Wild Berry Skittles, which is surprising because I am a fan of berries. However, I will buy it if it's the only bag available. The fruit flavors in this mix are: Berry Punch, Melon Berry, Raspberry, Strawberry and Wild Cherry.
   
5. Sour: The Sour Skittles were released in 2000 and they were the first ones to go outside the boundaries and try something completely different. The sour fruit flavors here are: Sour Blue Raspberry, Sour Green Apple, Sour Lemon, Sour Strawberry and Sour Watermelon. 
6. Chocolate: This mix of chocolate desserts was released in 2007 and although they tried to combine the goodness of chocolate with the chewiness of the skittles, to me they fail. They had flavors such as: Chocolate Caramel, Brownie Batter, Chocolate Pudding, S'mores and Vanilla.

Skittles has also made mints and bubble gum, and they are probably as well known as the actual chewy candy. But one thing we know for sure is that Skittles will live on for many generations to come.  

Models also have dessert: Jello

The life of a model is not easy, I tried to be one once but as soon as somebody told me I had to stop eating desserts, that's when I drew the line. Nobody had ever come between me and my sugar, besides my mom, and that instance was definitely not going to be the first time. 

I said to myself: "How can I ever stop eating sweets? They are so... sweet." But my mom told me there were other ways to satisfy that need for something sugary that didn't require 500 calories. And that's when I started looking into Jello or Gelatin. 

First of all, it is very easy to make, I remember making it when I was 5 years old. It is also in every supermarket and it comes in all colors and flavors. You can either buy it already made in little containers or you can make it yourself and share with friends and family. 

That wobbly and colorful dessert we were given as kids in our friend's birthday parties, is actually really good for our health and it could, some times, satisfy your hunger for something sweet. 

Here are some of the health benefits of gelatin:

• It is beneficial to athletes for muscle growth and metabolism
• It promotes a feeling of fullness
• Helps maintain regularity
• It's high collagen protein content helps keep your skin smooth and firm
• It strengthens the hair and makes it shinier and healthier
• It makes nails stronger
• It's excellent for your bones because of its concentration of glycoprotein and proline amino acids.

So it's not only delicious but it also helps improve your body and we can honestly say that Jello makes both your body and mind happy, healthier, and sweeter.

There are many different desserts that can be done using Jello, check out this video and learn how to make a Classic Jello Pie. Enjoy!

Chocolate dipped apples at Kilwin's

"Everything tastes better dipped in Chocolate" is what the t-shirts of the workers of Kilwin's say. And I couldn't agree more -- including the green apples dipped in caramel and bathed in thin lines of chocolate that make them so popular in Delray Beach.

Just thinking about them makes me want to go back and buy about six to go, but nothing like eating them fresh at Kilwin's. It's not 

only going there and buying chocolate, it's a whole experience. Through the window you are able to see the employees make chocolate treats of all kinds. Which makes me wonder: Do they even like chocolate? I could never work there, I will die of a heart attack the first week. 

Anyways, going back to dipped apples, I went in one night to try them after hearing from all my dessert lover friends that they were awesome. Now let me tell you, when I say they were great it's because they were. However, the apple wasn't that fresh, maybe because I went in late at night, but regardless the freshness of the apple, the caramel and chocolate used by Kilwin's it's amazing.

Dipped apples are kind of simple to make and if you have no problem with trying something new at home for you and your friends, you could try making them. Here is how:

Ingredients:

• 6 Apples -- or as many as you wish.
• Popsicle sticks
• 1 lb. of semisweet chocolate in chunks 
• Optional: chopped pistachios, M&M's, shredded coconut, crushed Oreos.

Directions:

Twist off the stems from the apples and push a Popsicle stick down into the core. Put the apples in the fridge while preparing the chocolate; they'll coat better if they are cold.

Slowly melt the chocolate in a double boiler over hot water or in  microwave set on high for 2 minutes, stirring halfway through the heating time to smooth it out. Remove from the heat and stir until completely melted and warm, not hot. Dunk each apple into the chocolate, allowing the excess to drip back into the bowl. Roll the apples around in the chocolate, turning with the stick, so it's coated all the way up to the top. Use a spoon to baste any hard to get spots.

Put the desired coating in a separate bowl and roll the dipped apple around so it is completely covered. Set the chocolate dipped apples on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Refrigerate until the chocolate is set.  

Recipe by The Food Network

I hope you will try to make them and share with us your experience and if you have a tip or a better recipe, your comments are always appreciated.

New Italian gelato for you and your pooch

Over the time ice cream has always been a favorite dessert for many people, but what about for dogs? I know it must be terrible to eat ice cream in front of your dog and have them look at you with their big puppy eyes. What do you do? What can you give them? And where can you get it? 

Those questions weren't answered for a long time, but finally somebody thought of those special little people that we love and cherish. About a month ago Cream opened to satisfy the palate of gelato fanatics in South Florida -- and I'm also referring to your Chihuahua, Maltese and Poodle. That's right, Cream doesn't discriminate against man's best friend.

I had to take the doggy ice cream taster with me, also known as Oreo, my 

Italian greyhound mix puppy, and sniff for ourselves. I must say, if Oreo could speak she would have said: "Thanks mom, you rock." But her face said it all.

She was a little intimidated at first, I mean it was her first time in front of such a good treat, but once she got the hang of it, she was one happy puppy. 

Her tail was wagging right and left, her tongue was going at 100 mph and her eyes were lit, as if she had reached heaven, only she was still alive and mommy was by her side. 

But she wasn't the only happy person between the two of us, I had 

to try their human gelato as well, after all I'm of Italian descent

and in my trips to Italy I have tried the best gelato. I was also 

intimidated because there has been many attempts to open an Italian gelateria that end up failing because they are not real Italian gelato. But no not this one, Cream nailed it. 

They have about 40 different flavors of ice cream, so you will find the one 

that fits your mood that day. They are rich in flavor and creamy, just like the real Italian gelatos. After trying about all of them, literally, I decided to go with the White Chocolate Raspberry Truffle. It has chunks of white chocolate and it has pieces of raspberry, but none of it is ever overwhelming. 

So if you want to treat yourself, your family and your pooch, I suggest going to Cream and enjoy not only their amazing ice cream, but their wines, pastries and appetizers. As soon as I try their pastries, I will let you know how they are.

Top 10 favorite Halloween candy

HELLO, once again! I am very glad that you are reading this blog because it helps everybody give out the candy that kids will actually like and talk about for the next couple of months. You want to be remembered as the "cool" neighbor not the "let's skip this house" neighbor. If you follow my advice, you will be rocking this year's Halloween.

I present to you the Top 10 favorite Halloween candy list:

1. Skittles: The #1 candy in the history of candy. PLEASE go to your closest supermarket and get some skittles for this year's trick-or-treaters, they will always remember and won't be able to thank you enough. I know it's a favorite for even grown ups. 
2. Starburst: Also a very popular chewable candy among kids. I will even go as far as to say that it is #2 in the history of candy. All flavors are good, tasty, full of flavor and it is also a favorite for grown ups.
3. Snickers: The #1 chocolate in the history of chocolate. Everybody loves snickers, so you won't go wrong buying a big bag of those and share even with your own friends. There are plenty of sizes for you to choose and it will make everybody happy.
4. Twix: #2 in the history of chocolate. The mixture between milk chocolate, cookie and a touch of caramel, makes this delicious chocolate a favorite treat for all ages. It also comes in different sizes and it also comes in a peanut butter flavor.
5. m&m's: Who doesn't like m&m's? Everybody does, so why not give it on Halloween and make everybody happy. There are many kinds -- original, with peanuts and peanut butter ones, to name a few. They are easy to find and come in all sizes too.
6. MilkyWay: For those who don't like peanuts you could have MilkyWay. And sometimes even if kids like peanuts, MilkyWay is one chocolate bar that won't go wrong with most people. 
7. Candy corn: Of course I didn't forget about candy corn. It is typical of Halloween, liked by many kids and if you find the original ones, they are made with real honey which is better than artificial sweeteners. 
8. Gummy bears: Loved by kids of all ages, tasteful, and simply yummy are gummy bears. They also come in small packages easy to distribute and they are easy to find in any supermarket. 
9. Sour Patch Kids: "First they are sour then they are sweet," it's what their logo says. And it is true. It is a very fun candy to give out on Halloween and very rare, so if you do, you will be remembered for the next few years. 
10. Life Savers: They have been out for quite a while, and they are still very well liked everywhere. They are easy to eat, very flavorful and easy to find. Also, they have a variety of flavors and even come as gummies. 

Now you can have a pretty good idea of what kind of candy to get this Halloween to make it an unforgettable one for all the kids. After you get compliments or a big smile from the little ones, please share them with me.

Enjoy this Skittles' commercial!

Have a spooky but sweet Halloween!

Top 10 worse Halloween candy

Halloween is rapidly approaching and before we know it, little witches and vampires will be knocking on our door and asking for some candy. They will use the typical phrase: "Trick-or-Treat" but sometimes it is them who get tricked into icky treats. 

This blog will speak out for all of those kids, and not so kids, who trick or treat in the hopes of going home with some delicious candy.

I present to you the Top 10 worse Halloween candy list:

1. Jawbreakers: I mean, it's already bad enough that kids don't brush their teeth for you to be given them something to break their jaw with. Besides, nobody ever finishes these massive balls.
2. Mints: Mints are supposed to be given out in doctor's offices, restaurants or mom's purse, but never in Halloween. Kids want the latest, the coolest and the sweetest, not whatever you found in your house.
3. Cinnamon candy: Cinnamon is supposed to go on top of coffee or hot chocolate, never in hard candy and never given out in Halloween.
4. Black licorice: Licorice is nasty. Unless your trick-or-treaters are over 40, please don't give out any kind of licorice candy.
5. Mike & Ike candy: I don't know how to explain this chewable candy -- they are disgusting, taste like nothing and look like pills. Kids don't like to take pills, what makes you think they will like Mike & Ike?
6. Rock candy crystal sticks: No, no, no! It is simply sugar only colored, and it has not taste and to be honest, they hurt your palate because they are so sharp.
7. Conversation candy hearts (Sweethearts): You know which ones I'm talking about because people give them out in Valentine's day, Halloween and birthdays. I think that the people that give those out actually have never tried them. They are very yucky but make beautiful decoration.
8. Fruit jell slices: If kids don't eat real fruits, why would they eat a jelly that looks like, tastes like and even smells like fruits? Keep the educational part of Halloween to their mothers, you are the "cool" neighbor given out goodies. 
9. Candy sticks and canes: Those are Christmas treats, not Halloween. Please don't try to mix Halloween and Christmas together, they are two separate reasons to eat candy.
10. Hot Tamales candy: They should be banned from the candy world. I have not met one person that actually likes them, so please don't give them out on Halloween.

I hope you have learned your lesson, you Halloween candy giver, and for more information on the candy that you SHOULD hand out, please keep reading ahead in the blog. 

If there is one candy that you absolutely hate, please share with us we all want to know!    

Are you planning a party this Halloween? Are you desperately in need of help to figure out how to decorate and use the candy at the same time? Watch this documentary by Candy Warehouse where they show you some ideas of what to do to look "horrific" in front of all your friends. 

Homemade apple strudel

Most of us like apples, specially if they are covered in caramel or chocolate, but there are plenty of other ways to enjoy this fruit. For example the Apple Strudel. 

The apple strudel is a layered pastry with apples inside. It is associated with the Austrian cuisine because it is considered to be their national dish although their cuisine was influenced by many people: Turkish, Swiss, French, Dutch, Italian and German, to name a few.

Not only the pastry alone is delicious, but we can top it with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, custard or a type of sauce of your preference. It can be accompanied by tea, coffee or if you are feeling in the mood to celebrate, champagne.  

Boca Raton housewife and baker, Sabrina Nelson, shared with me -- therefore with you -- her homemade apple strudel recipe. 

Ingredients: 

• 200 gr flour
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon of sugar
• 50 gr of butter
• 1 kg apples
• 50 gr walnuts
• 50 gr golden raisins
• 1/2 tablespoon of cinnamon
• 3 tablespoons of fine sugar

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl, mix the flour, eggs, butter and sugar with a 1/4 cup of water until all the ingredients are mixed together without crumbs. 

Let the mix sit for 10 minutes.

Peel and slice apples then add the sugar and cinnamon. Then in a large bowl combine the mix with the freshly sliced apples adding the raisins and the walnuts. Cook for 15 minutes. 

Roll the dough over waxing paper and cover with the cooked apples. Roll it and bake for 45 minutes.

Once you take it out of the oven, sprinkle the strudel with superfine sugar and let it sit for 10 minutes before you eat it.

Bon Appetite!

Chewing gum vs. Bubble gum

You see it in women's purses, men's pockets, kid's mouths... they pop in your ear, they pop in your face, they pop everywhere! I'm talking about gum.  

As a bubble gum machine owner, it is only fair that I researched about this "sticky" goodness. During this process I encountered a very simple question to which I had no answer: What is the difference between bubble gum and chewing gum? If you are wondering the same question, stick around to find out the answer.

The difference is very simple. Bubble gum was created out of chewing gum with a slightly different purpose: It was made to blow bubbles and to use for shorts periods of time. That's why manufacturers only put small amounts of flavor in the gum and that's why bubble gum pieces tend to be softer and smell delicious. 

Chewing gum, on the other hand, is much more stronger in order to clean your teeth. That's right, since it is so strong it pulls away the particles between your teeth and it gives you good breath. 

But chewing gum is not only for regular citizens, when it comes to the military they all say: Sir, yes gum! 

Since World War I soldiers were given chewing gum to help them concentrate and to relieve stress. Recently, US troops have been administered gum with 100 mg of caffeine to keep them alert for long periods of time. 

Chewing gum affects our health, for good and bad, here are some of the effects in our body:

• Stomach acid: some doctors agree that eating chewing gum increases the production of stomach acid to abnormal levels over a long period of time
• Dental health: sugar-free gum sweetened with xylitol reduces cavities and plaque by starving microorganisms. However, sugary gum can degrade the enamel on teeth 
• Swallowed gum: the old myth that swallowed gum will stay in your body for seven years is not exactly true. In most cases, swallowed gum will pass through the system like any other food as long as the mass of gum is small enough to pass out the stomach

Care to see how chewing gum is made? Check out this Discovery Channel documentary!

Chocolate Fondue at Dada in Delray Beach

Get ready to get melted with this blog, literally. In my constant search to bring you the best dessert ideas, recipes and fun facts, I found myself melted by the thought of chocolate fondue. So I wanted to share with all my dear dessert lovers my experience at Dada in Downtown Delray Beach. 

Dada is a fun place to hang out in Delray since they always have live bands, poetry nights, or chill music. It also serves the purpose of a restaurant with a nice indoor area as well as a beautiful patio with couches and lanterns that give the place a 'homey' feel.  

So before you even order your food, three of your senses are already been put to use - now what you have left is your sense of taste and smell. Don't worry, the chocolate fondue will make sure those two senses don't feel left out. 

I sat patiently for my fondue while I listened to a Reggae band and chatted with my girlfriends. But suddenly I saw the waiter approach our table - I started to smile, my heart was pounding 100 times per second and all I can do was move stuff from the table to make some room. The fondue had arrived. 

It is served warm in a cup and surrounded by six different sweet treats: 

1. Strawberries 
2. Blackberries 
3. Bananas 
4. Pound cake 
5. Brownies 
6. Marshmallows 

Well, you can refer to the picture I took while I was enjoying myself. 

The chocolate used in this fondue in particular is dark, so if you don't like the bitterness of the dark chocolate you might not like Dada's fondue. It is still very rich and full of flavor, but I personally prefer milk or white chocolate rather than dark. Although it is known that dark chocolate is the only healthy chocolate you can eat, since it's the least processed.  

Looking online I found some of the benefits of dark chocolate, here they follow: 

• It has antibacterial agents that protect teeth form cavities
• The smell of chocolate increases cerebral waves, which relax us
• Drinking one cup of hot chocolate before eating diminishes our appetite
• Men who eat chocolate constantly, tend to live one more year than those who don't
• It increases the levels of antioxidants in your blood

But the consumption of excessive chocolate is not the healthiest decision either, it's all about balancing your diet. And don't worry you can still be a dessert addict and keep yourself healthy while eating your favorite treats. 

Real Roman Chocolate Pizza from Pizza Rustica

Do you believe in geniuses? I started believing in them when I turned 15 years old and went to Italy to visit my family. I knew I would fall in love with the history, the food and the Italian boys, what I wasn't expecting was to be introduced to a true Italian masterpiece: Chocolate Pizza.

The number one and most important ingredient is Nutella, a hazelnut spread. If you are not familiar with Nutella, you are missing out on half the fun in life. In Italy it is eaten at any time of the day and spread in anything you can find in the pantry. From crackers to bread, from cookies to pizza. And that's how chocolate pizza was created! 

First, let me take you back to the 1940s when pastry maker Pietro Ferrero created Nutella. Due to World War II there was little supply of cocoa, making it difficult to have any chocolate at all, so Ferrero used hazelnuts instead, which are plentiful in the Northwest region of Italy. Creating then a true heroic spread that would travel the whole world and become a favorite in every country. 

Chocolate pizza was a concept later acquired in Italy. However,  the name of the one who created such a divine combination of two Italian masterpieces, is unknown. I must say, in the name of all of dessert lovers, thank you.

Your mouth is probably watery by now, your eyes must be popping out at the pictures and I'm sure you have a pretty good idea of how it would smell, delicious that is. But it doesn't have to be a "told" experience because Pizza Rustica in Delray Beach brings you the opportunity to try chocolate pizza without having to travel to Italy.

It is a true Roman style pizzeria in all the senses. From the moment you park the car, the smell of freshly baked pizza brings you in, and once you are inside you have no escape. You get submerged  in a true visual encounter with more than 20 different kinds of pizza in front of you. Cut in square slices rather than triangular and with a variety of toppings to make this pizza the best you've ever had. 

If you are not sure about this mix between pizza and chocolate, I suggest you try it yourself. After all, Pizza Rustica makes the experience and enjoyable one. They deliver, offer catering services and gift certificates and they are open from 11 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday. 

It's also located at a very convenient spot: Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach is a favorite for all tourists and native citizens. It is full with night life and it's fun for all ages. So be sure to stop by and try the famous chocolate pizza and make sure to share with me your experience.

The Perfect Breakfast Cake

What is a good breakfast without a good piece of cake?

My mom always told me that sweets are supposed to be eaten in the morning, that way you have all day to burn the calories! So I took it seriously, and every morning I eat a slice of cake, preferably lemon pound cake with coffee.

We all know and love Starbucks, but $1.95 per slice? That's a bit too much, I think! So I will teach you how to make your own lemon pound cake -- that way you can save big bucks every month.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder
• 1/2 of teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened at room temperature
• 1 cup of sugar, plus 1/3 cup
• 4 eggs
• 2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract
  
• 1/4 cup of lemon juice, plus 1/3 cup

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 6-cup loaf pan and line it with parchment or waxed paper. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt.

In a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment (or using a hand mixer), cream the butter. Add 1 cup of the sugar and mix. With the mixer running at low speed, add the eggs one at a time. Add the vanilla.

Working in alternating batches, and mixing after each addition, add the dry ingredients and 1/4 cup of the lemon juice to the butter mixture. Mix until just smooth.

Pour into the prepared pan and bake until raised in the center and a tester inserted into the center comes out dry and almost clean (a few crumbs are OK), 65 to 75 minutes.

Meanwhile, make the glaze: In a small bowl, stir together the remaining 1/3 cup sugar and the remaining 1/3 cup lemon juice until the sugar is dissolved.

When the cake is done, let cool in the pan 15 minutes (it will be warm). Run a knife around the sides of the pan. Set a wire rack on a sheet pan with sides (to catch the glaze) and turn the cake out onto the rack. Peel off the waxed paper.

Using a turkey baster or pastry brush, spread glaze all over the top and sides of the cake and let soak in. Repeat until the entire glaze is used up, including any glaze that has dripped through onto the sheet pan. Let cool at room temperature or, wrapped in plastic wrap, in the refrigerator (Well wrapped, the cake will last up to a week). Serve at room temperature, in thin slices.

Recipe by the Food Network Website.

Chocolate Molten Cake at Chili's

As a chocolate addict, because let's face it that's what I am, I always order whatever chocolate dessert there is on the menu of any restaurant I go to. 

Sometimes, the best restaurants don't have the best desserts, sometimes it's the every day type restaurants that have delicious chocolate goodies.

Let's take for example, the Chocolate Molten Cake at Chili's. It is heaven of earth! 

Be prepared to experience a sensation that can captivate your five senses. You smell the warm chocolate, you can touch it and feel the moist cake, you can taste the melted goodness, you can see the chocolate lava flowing and you can hear everybody in the table say: "Can I have some?"

So tell everyone in advance to order one for themselves. if you are like me, you don't share desserts -- there is enough in the kitchen for everybody! However, if you do like to share, this dessert is perfect for two.

The plate seems overwhelming, and for people with ADD, a little messy, but if you close your eyes and indulge in this true chocolate experience, it is so worth it.

The dessert consists of a chocolate cake served warm with chocolate fudge filling and topped with vanilla ice cream under a crunchy chocolate shell and it is only $5.99.

Researching about this cake, I found  out that apparently there is a White Chocolate Molten Cake, but I've never seen it at my Chili's. If you know that yours has it, let me know I am dying to try it!

Baby Éclairs

If you are a true dessert lover, at some point of your life you have tried an éclair. I don't expect you to have traveled to France to eat a fresh one, but if you are in the South Florida area, I encourage you to try the best éclairs in town, Côté France in Boca Raton.

The éclair is the French equivalent of doughnuts although they differ in many ways. The éclairs are a long and 

thin pastry made with choux pastry dough filled with a cream and topped with icing. The flavor of the cream can be coffee, chocolate, pastry cream, custard or whipped cream and the fondant icing is usually the same flavor as the filling.

Although the actual place of origin is uncertain, the éclair probably originated in France during the 19th century by Antonin Carême, known as "The King of Chefs, and the Chef of Kings."  

Tuesday morning I went for a little brunch with my aunt and we decided to go to Côté France where I was able to quickly order something to eat, but had trouble deciding on dessert. I take my blogging job seriously, so I tried the miniature versions of most of the desserts available... for the sake of my blog of course. 

Let me tell you something, not only are they approximately under 100 calories, but they are so rich in flavor, texture and color that just by looking at them you want to eat them all. And you can... most of them are $1.50! 

So, if you are wondering where can you get some real French pastries, more exactly éclairs, now you know where thanks to my sweet tooth.  

Fun Fact! "Éclair" is French for "lightning." Nobody has been able to figure out why is it called that way. If you have an idea, please share with me and other dessert lovers! 

Good Cake = Good Deed with Cheesecake Factory's red velvet treat

Who would have thought that eating a slice of cake could help the world in the fight against hunger? The Cheesecake Factory did!

Last Thursday my fabulous journalism friends and I went to the Cheesecake Factory during our break to enjoy some nice food and delicious cheesecakes. I had already heard of the new red velvet cheesecake, and as a fan of red velvet cake, you know I had to try it.

What I did not know was that these cakes were somewhat different, as of September 1, the Cheesecake Factory started the "Drive Out the Hunger Tour," meaning that for every slice sold over the first 12 months, the restaurant was going to donate 25 cents to the nation's largest hunger-relief charity, Feeding America.

Not only was I finding pleasure in eating this slice of heaven, but I was actually doing a good deed. I felt really happy, and so did my friends, who at first didn't want to try it but after stealing my fork and cake, said: "This is the most amazing cheesecake ever!"

It is a cheesecake rich in flavor with moist layers of red velvet cake and the original cheesecake and cream cheese frosting and it is finished with white chocolate at the thick end of the slice.

Actually it's called Stefanie's Ultimate Red Velvet Cake Cheesecake after the contestant who won the "What's Your Flavor" contest by the Cheesecake Factory.

After finding out the partnership between The Cheesecake Factory and Feeding America, I made out my mission to spread out the word about this sweet cause and bought myself a whole cake!

Midnight Lovers

Don't we all feel guilty at times? Don't we all do something we might regret later on? Well at least I know I do!

I have a boyfriend of almost two years now, and although I love him, I have a big heart that needs to be filled with love at all times.

So, I have a confession to make... I've cheated on my boyfriend with Doughnuts!

I know it's wrong but I can't help it! They call my name, I dream about them, they are so sweet and so round it makes me want to eat them, so I do.

All this week I've been having doughnuts at around midnight and maybe it was my fault for buying them at the supermarket or it was my sister-in-law's fault for giving me six free doughnuts she had left over from today, but I just can't seem to stop.

So I went online to research more about these delicious treats only to discover a fun little fact about the origins of doughnuts.

The history has been disputed many times; one theory suggests that Dutch settlers who were also known for popularizing other great American desserts such as cookies, apple pie and cobbler introduced them in the United States. Who would have ever known that the Dutch introduced these desserts that seem so American?

However, at the same time there is archaeological evidence that shows that doughnuts existed and were prepared by prehistoric Native Americans in the South West.

With all this recently added knowledge in my brain, I went out and asked the people who were in the line of Dunkin' Donuts who they thought invented such a sweet creation, and my favorite quote was: "Definitely someone who had in mind the rest of us."

So honey, if you are reading this, please understand that I didn't mean to cheat on you but I have a midnight lover I can't resist.

Do you have a midnight lover? If so I want to know what it is! Leave a comment underneath and we can all share with one another what we eat!

Have sweet dreams!

Cookie Monster

It's Saturday night and I'm 21. Although I should be at a bar right now, I got bills to pay so I've been working all day. Since I can't stand routine but need to make money somehow, I work with a wedding planner.

Not one event resembles another, they are all different, and the brides...well I can honestly say they are all unique. But I'm not here to talk about "bridezillas," I am here to blog about the sweet side of weddings and my unstoppable search for the Hotel with the Best Chocolate Chip Cookie.

It's been five years since I've worked for wedding and event planner Cheryl Clisby and an infinite list of vendors and caterers from all over the United States, but to me they are all the same unless they have a really good chocolate chip cookie.

A perfect chocolate chip cookie, in my opinion, needs to be room temperature so that the chocolate chips aren't completely melted but aren't stiff either, the dough has to be a little chewy but not too much and the size, it doesn't really matter, as long as they are good.

Every time we have a wedding at a Hotel, Cheryl Clisby's team gets together for a introductory meeting of the event in which the Hotel's caterer will offer us anything we want or need. In my case, I want and need some cookies pronto!

So after having the whole staff ask for some food and drinks, I concentrate on getting my plate of chocolate chip cookies in advance so I can work more efficiently.

Even my boss, Cheryl, tells the Hotel staff: "She lives for those cookies."

After careful consideration and tastings from West Palm Beach to Miami, the title of "Best Chocolate Chip Cookie" goes to the Ritz Carlton Hotels. So next time you stay in one of them, try those cookies and let me know what you think!

WELCOME

Welcome all dessert lovers!

In the next couple of days "A Search for the Best Desserts" will start making every body's day a little sweeter with the first reviews of some of South Florida's best desserts and posting easy-to-make recipes!

Please feel free to leave your comments and ideas at any time!

So tell all your friends and family to get together and make some delightful treats.