Dessert Club: Candy

 Oh it was a sweet, sweet Dessert Club in February.  On Leap Day we met to taste and share some devilishly delicious mouthfuls.  "Candy" was not my idea for February's theme.  Candy-making is a whole different realm from baking, and not one that I'm comfortable, or very interested, in.  But I did give it a go.  I tried Claire Robinson's New Orleans Bacon Pralines, but they ended up crumbly so I just threw them away.  Shame, it seemed like a good idea.  But things with thermometers make me nervous; it's just too delicate a process.

Which also seemed the general consensus since so many of Candy Night's offerings were truffles.  But I'm not complaining; everything was sooo good.

Chocolate-Covered Nougat & Peanuts 
 (like a Baby Ruth - and she TEMPERED THE CHOCOLATE - talk about love)

Double Dark Pistachio Fudge
(and the topping was a secret none of us could guess!)

Caramel-Dark Chocolate Truffles with Fleur de Sel

Butterfinger Truffles

Vanilla-Orange Caramels with Candied Orange Peels

"Gumdrops for Grown-Ups"
(fruit gelee in three flavors: Pear-Cardamom, Rosewater-Saffron, Pink Grapefruit-Rosemary)

Spicy Passion Truffles
(with layers of flavor that smoke up your mouth - we decided to rename them Burning Passion - my personal favorite of the evening)

 

And the winner was...

Chocolate Raspberry Truffles

The winner received a new Maverick Digital Candy thermometer with a timer and lots of bells & whistles.  It was wrapped up to look like a huge candy.  Made me really wish my pralines had worked out.

 Aah, it was another fabulous and successful Dessert Club.  We stayed up extra late talking after the tasting had long ended.  DC is so great for us, on so many levels.  I hope it goes on forever and ever.