How To Plan A Wedding Candy Buffet

Trends for weddings are constantly changing but the wedding candy buffet seems to be one that is here to stay. Guests love having a sweet treat in addition to their wedding cake, and it can tie nicely into almost any theme that a bride can dream up. However, it is important to plan carefully in order to have a buffet that will be the talk of the entire event.

Of course, one of the first things that most brides think about when planning their wedding is the color scheme. They match every last detail to go with their chosen colors, and the candy in the buffet should not be an exception. Candies come in a variety of fun, bright colors and are often sold according to color, so a bride can purchase only the shades she needs to compliment her wedding.

In addition to choosing colors, many brides also choose a theme to pull their big day together. When it comes to buying candy for the buffet, there are many options that tie right in with some of the most popular themes. For example, salt water taffy is perfect for a beach themed wedding and old favorites like licorice and lollipops are perfect for a retro themed event.

When it comes to actually setting up the buffet, it is important to choose containers that will make as big a splash as the candy itself. Again, it is a good idea to keep the theme in mind when choosing containers for the display. The bride with the beach wedding may want to use decorative pails, while a retro bride may choose old fashioned penny candy jars.

In most cases, there is far more candy left over than anyone wants to be stuck with when their wedding day has come and gone. To avoid having candy piled up until the one year anniversary, provide guests with candy bowls, boxes or bags to take home the leftovers. A cute container like a retro penny candy jar can even make a great favor.

The wedding candy buffet has become a popular trend over the past few years and it seems as though it will remain one of the most fun and interesting options available to brides. Candy comes in so many different colors, there are options available to fit any color scheme or theme. Remember to choose the right containers and take home bags to tie the entire look together.

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The History of Candy Bars

Candy bars have been around for hundreds of years. Yes, hundreds. One of the first candy bars ever created was made in 1847. Joseph Fry figured out a way to mix cocoa powder, sugar, and cocoa so it could be made into a paste and placed in molds. It was a success. People enjoyed eating the chocolate as much as they did drinking it. However, this chocolate bar and the candy bars we are familiar with are completely different.

It was not until 1876 that milk chocolate was invented by Daniel Peter from Switzerland. It took him eight years to do this. It only took three more years for Daniel Peter to join with Henri Nestle to form the Nestle Company. This company introduced the famous Nestle Crunch in 1938.

We are getting ahead of ourselves. Let's go back to 1900. Milton S. Hershey decided it was time to let everyone taste the wonders of milk chocolate. Up until then it was only the wealthy who could really afford this wondrous confection. Locating his candy factory in dairy country, now known as Hershey, PA, Milton was able to start mass producing candy bars. The all time American favorite (Hershey) was introduced to the public. Eight years later, in 1908, Hershey started putting almonds in them and the Hershey with Almonds was born.

Once milk chocolate became so popular everyone started creating candy bars. The Mars candy company was formed by Frank and Ethel Mars in 1911. 1914 brought about the introduction of the Heath bar. Peter Paul Halijian invented Mounds in 1921. These candies were marketed under the name of Peter Paul Mounds. The Almond Joy was not introduced until 1947.

Chocolate candy bars were being created by the hundreds. The candies we are most familiar with such as the Butterfinger and Milky Way were introduced to the public in 1923. 1925 saw the invention of the Oh Henry, Baby Ruth, and Mr. Goodbar.

The 1930's brought about an even bigger demand for the chocolate. This is because the Hershey Company had created a chocolate bar for the boys who were fighting in the first and second world wars. When these soldiers came home, they wanted more chocolate. From 1930 to 1938 products like Snickers, 3 Musketeers, Kit Kat, and Nestle's Crunch gave the public what they wanted.

It has been reported that 2.8 billion pounds of chocolate is consumed each year by the American public. However, recent studies are hinting that chocolate can actually be good for you. According to a report in the Journal of the American Medical Association says that dark chocolate is good for you. This report was quick to point out that did not include milk or white chocolates. Dark chocolate contains antioxidants and it can also lower blood pressure. So the next time you are feeling a little under the weather or stressed out grab a couple dark chocolate candy bars and enjoy.

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A Taste of Ice Cream History

It is widely believed that history of ice cream started in China around 200 BC from a mixture of frozen milk and rice. Several years later, King Tang of Shang ordered the creation of a frozen dish from buffalo milk, flour, and camphor.

The ancient Persians where among the first ones to master the art of storing ice in large containers called yakhcals. Yakhcals are naturally cooled containers where the Persians store the ice that they collect during the winter season. The ice that they store is combined with fruits, saffron, and other flavors that results to a mixture called faloodeh, which is widely made in Iran today.

Milk became one of the major elements that changed the history. The Arabs were the first ones to use milk as a major ingredient in production.

Since it is said to have started in China, it is believed to be a royal secret of the emperors. However, when Marco Polo came to China, he was said to have been able to take home the recipe of ice cream making to Italy according to beliefs but there was not much basis for this. In Italy, making it gave birth to Gelato, which is among the most famous and revolutionized form of dessert in the world.

It was the marriage of Catherine de' Medici of Italy and the duc d'Orleans that introduced ice cream in France. This in turn resulted to the creation of the sherbet ice cream or sorbet which is fruit flavored with a combination of liqueur, wine, and chocolate. The difference from the regular form is that it may be non-fat or low fat that gives a more viable alternative.

Years later, it took different forms and had become one of the greatest treats in the world. In the 20th century, this treat took great changes and its availability in the market has been greatly increased. In the USA, ice cream becomes a popular alternative to alcohol during the American Prohibition.

Today, it is among one of the most ordered and highly consumed desserts in the world. It has come a long way from its earliest form and has been changing ever since. Countries all over the world have tried to make their own version out of it. From being a top royal secret to becoming a public favorite, the history of ice cream has taken turns that contributed to its worldwide success.

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How to make cupcakes in ice cream cones

How to make cupcakes in ice cream cones

These cupcake cones might be the most delicious optical illusion you'll ever taste. Professional baker and author Liv Hansen for Betty Crocker shows how to make these clever cupcake ice cream cones.

Who Invented Ice Cream?

Unlike pottery, arrow heads and metal tools, traces of ancient ice creams are not really something that archaeologists can unravel. The ice cream history is therefore elusive and not very well known. People living in climates where ice and snow formed naturally are believed to have enjoyed a form of sorbet since prehistoric time by flavouring snow with fruit, berries and honey. This was probably especially popular in warm regions with high mountains, since snow could be gathered from the high altitudes and brought down to regions where it provided much sought after relief from the heat.

Even though ice cream itself leaves no visible mark in ancient history, items and buildings used for its creation can. Icehouses are for instance known to have existed as early as 2,000 years B.C. in Mesopotamia. Wealthy Mesopotamians had them built along the River Euphrates and used them to store food. We also know from historical sources that several Egyptian pharaohs ordered ice to be shipped to them in the hot and sunny regions in which they lived.

Once of the earliest known instances of true sorbet - not only ice and ice houses - are the honey and fruit flavoured snow cones that you could buy in Athenian markets during the 5th century BC. Later on, the Romans adopted a lot of Greek traditions, ice cream eating included. The Roman emperor Nero who reigned from 54 to 68 AD did for instance have ice transported to Rome from the mountains and mixed with fruit and toppings.

In 400 B.C. the Persians invented a cool pudding made from vermicelli and rosewater. This chilled treat tastes a bit like a blend of sorbet and rice pudding, and was often mixed with fruits and saffron. Ice was quite readily available to wealthy Persians since they owned so called yakhchals; naturally cooled refrigerators in which ice collected from the mountains could be stored for longer periods of time.

The Arabs play an important role in the history of ice cream since they began using sugar and syrup instead of honey. In the 10th century B.C., sweet ice cream flavoured with fruits and nuts could be purchased in all major Arab cities. The Arabs also began adding milk to the ice-cream, making it more similar to the type of diary based ice-cream that is most widespread today.

It has been hard to determine when the Chinese began enjoy Chinese ice cream, but the first type of Chinese ice cream is believed to have been flavoured with sugar and sold during the warm summer season. Most historians agree that the upper class enjoyed ice-creamed flavoured with fruit juices during the Song Dynasty (960-1279 B.C.) According to "History of food" by Toussaint-Samat the Chinese may even have created a special ice-cream creation method earlier than the Song Dynasty. This method involved pouring snow and saltpetre over containers filled with syrup. Salt will lower the freezing point of water to subzero. Diary products are still rare in Chinese food, but according to legend Mongols introduced the custom of drinking milk to the Chinese during the Yuan Dynasty and this eventually led to the invention of milky ice-cream.

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Blue Bunny Crunchy Banana Split

Here's something that will make you go a little bananas. Blue Bunny® Premium Banana Split ice cream and your favorite cereal is practically all you need to make this recipe.

Blue Bunny Sugar Free Napoleon

A healthy dish you'll love to eat and make too!

Pumpkin Butterscotch Bread Pudding

For full recipe: http://www.meals.com/Recipes/Pumpkin-Butterscotch-Bread-Pudding.aspx?recipeid...

Chris from Nestle Kitchens shows you how to make a deliciously moist bread pudding with Libby's 100% Pure Pumpkin for those special fall occasions.

With sugar, spice and everything nice, this delightful bread pudding is coated with scrumptious butterscotch morsels for a dessert that's easy to be thankful for. And with a flavorful boost of pumpkin, what's not to love?

Blue Bunny® Champ!® Cones

Watch how our famous Champ!® Cones are made. These have a taste that will knock your socks off! A generous scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream is packed on a sugar cone, dipped in our finest chocolate sauce and rolled in peanuts for a winning combination.

Happy 4th Of July!!

Learn how to make colorful Rice Krispies® treats filled with Blue Bunny® All Natural Vanilla Ice Cream for the perfect 4th of July treat!

Blue Bunny® Premium Vanilla Ice Cream

See how it's made! Our premium vanilla ice cream boasts a personality all its own. Dip it, blend it, mix it, top it, malt it, float it, swirl it or serve it as is. This pure vanilla flavor can stand the taste test of time