(BPT) - Summer means enjoying time with friends and family, soaking up long days in the sun and delighting in easy evenings outside. While you're savoring each moment and creating new memories, why not sweeten them a little bit more with your favorite chocolate flavors?
Try these easy, fun ways to elevate summer gatherings from Chocolove, a premium chocolate brand known for flavor innovation and high-quality, sustainable ingredients.
Elevate your s'mores for a tastier evening
Whether you're at the fireside or cooking on the stovetop, s'mores season deserves something extra special. Here are a few ideas to help you take your s'mores party to the next level:
Chocolove's Bites are tasty, bite-sized treats that are a convenient, delicious way to layer premium flavor into your s'mores. These individually wrapped bites are easy to pack for a beach day, camping trip or late-night summer treat, and now come in stand-up bags for added on-the-go ease. They're available in four dark chocolate varieties that will have everyone asking for "s'more": Coconut, Mint Crème, Salted Caramel and Salted Peanut Butter. Shop them online at Chocolove.com.
For even more crave-worthy s'more options, you can break off a square or two of these fan-favorite bars when you gather around the campfire:
- Dark Chocolate Raspberries Bar — Enjoy freeze-dried, crispy tart raspberry pieces bursting with flavor, enveloped in premium smooth semi-sweet dark chocolate.
- Milk Chocolate Salted Peanut Butter Bar — Classic European chocolate gives way to silky smooth, real organic salted peanut butter filling.
- Dark Chocolate Salted Caramel Bar — Caramel lovers everywhere will appreciate this premium salted caramel filling enrobed in rich dark chocolate.
New flavors to love and share
Want to satisfy your sweet tooth by exploring a couple of exciting new flavors? Try one (or both!) of these new creations next time you need a sweet fix, or serve chocolate squares with berries, pretzels and cheeses for an easy, elegant dessert.
- Dark Chocolate Coconut Filled Bar — A tropical-inspired indulgence featuring creamy real coconut filling wrapped in dark chocolate for a smooth, balanced bite. Available at Whole Foods Market, Amazon and Chocolove.com.
- Dark Chocolate Marzipan Filled Bar — A European-style confection with soft, silky almond marzipan in rich dark chocolate, crafted for a refined, luxurious experience. Available on Amazon and Chocolove.com.
Embrace the trending dot cake sensation
Dot cakes are taking over the internet, and for good reason. They're a fun, easy way to put together mini desserts for any festive occasion — from picnics and barbecues to baby showers and birthdays — or just when you want a little indulgence for yourself! Kids and grown-ups alike will find that these mini cakes are as fun to eat as they are tasty.
Chocolove created a recipe in partnership with Watkins to help you enjoy elevated, artificial dye-free dot cakes of your own. Just make sure to gather some glass jars ahead of time!
Ingredients
Cake
- 1 box vanilla cake mix
- Ingredients called for on the box (typically eggs, oil and water)
- 1/2 cup Watkins Artificial Dye-Free Rainbow Nonpareils (for topping)
Chocolate Frosting
- 6 ounces Chocolove Milk Chocolate, chopped
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon Watkins Baking Vanilla
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
1. Preheat oven according to cake mix package directions. Grease and line a 9x13-inch baking pan.
2. Prepare the cake batter according to the package instructions.
3. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
4. Bake according to package directions. Let cool completely.
5. While the cake cools, make the frosting. Melt chopped Chocolove Milk Chocolate and allow it to cool slightly.
6. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth and creamy. Add the powdered sugar and mix until combined.
7. Add the melted chocolate, heavy cream, Watkins Baking Vanilla and salt. Beat until smooth.
8. Assemble the Dot Cake by cutting out rounds of cake from the pan, dropping into a jar of the same size, and spread with an even layer of frosting. Repeat until you get to the top of the jar.
9. Add 1/2 cup of sprinkles onto a plate and place the jar face down, pressing slightly into the sprinkles so an even layer of sprinkles forms on top.
And voilà! You have your own homemade, personal dot cake.
Try all of these ideas to help you make the most of your summer get-togethers, so you can cherish every sweet moment.
Chocolove is made from traceable cocoa, is Non-GMO Project Verified and Rainforest Alliance Certified, meaning the chocolate is sourced in a way that supports a better future for cocoa farmers and their families. Chocolove is made without artificial preservatives and crafted to deliver decadent, world-class flavor experiences.
Chocolove is available at retailers nationwide, including Whole Foods Market, Publix, Walgreens, Safeway, Albertsons, Kroger, Walmart, Sprouts, a variety of independent and natural retailers, on Amazon and at Chocolove.com.
