One Nutty Mama: melted chocolate

One Nutty Mama is going chocolate for the month of May in honor of the initial release of Velata!
Don't know what I'm talking about?

Velata is the safe, fast and easy way to fondue. With 14 warmers created by Scentsy Family artisans using a patent pending silicone dish to gently warm the specially formulated Belgian chocolate. The high quality chocolates are available in 4 flavors. ( Dark chocolate, Milk chocolate, White chocolate and Caramel Milk chocolate)
This line is great for many occasions. Morgan wants it at her ALL-Chocolate Birthday party and I think it is going to be the star of the show. Great for an after dinner quick dessert. How many desserts can you have ready in 5 minutes? Simple yet elegant addition to any party or get together.
With the many possibilities of dipping combinations, the dessert possibilities are endless.

Things to Dip

SweetsOreos

Squares of chocolate
Vanilla Wafers
Marshmallows
Graham Crackers
Fortune Cookies
Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies
Biscotti
Doughnut Holes
Animal Crackers

Fruits
Strawberries
Pineapple
Kiwi
Raspberries
Bananas
Grapes
Cherries
Dried Fruits (raisins, cranberries, prunes)
Orange Segments
Peach Slices
Pear Slices
Dried Apricots

Savory
Bacon
Espresso Beans
Very Sharp Cheddar

Salty
Pretzels
Peanut Butter Filled Pretzels
Chips

Baked Goods
Brownies
Cake Pops
Mini Croissants
French Toast Sticks
Waffles
Cookies
Mini Cupcakes
Cubed Cheesecake
Rice Krispie Treats

Toppings (Dip in chocolate, then in this)
Graham Cracker Crumbs
Oreo Crumbs
Brightly Colored Sprinkles
Colored Sugars
Chopped Nuts
Granola
Crushed Corn Flakes
Shredded Coconut
Chopped M&Ms
Chopped Reeses Pieces
Chunks of freeze dried fruits (like apples or bananas)
Cookies Crumbs
Toffee bits
Rice Krispies
Mini Chocolate Chips

Combination Ideas
Strawberry or banana dipped in chocolate, then in corn flakes.
Cupcake dipped in chocolate, then in sprinkles.
Potato Chip dipped in chocolate, then in toffee bits.
Pineapple dipped in chocolate, then in coconut.
Peanut Butter Balls dipped in chocolate, then in Reeses Pieces.
Bananas dipped in chocolate, then granola.
Rice Krispy Treats dipped in chocolate and then in Oreo Crumbs.
Oreos dipped in chocolate and then freeze dried banana chunks.
Marshmallow dipped in chocolate and then rolled in graham cracker crumbs.
Bacon dipped in chocolate and then in sea salt.
Cheesecake bites dipped in chocolate, then in toffee bits.
Waffles dipped in chocolate and then in mini chocolate chips.
Doughnut holes dipped in chocolate, then in chopped espresso beans.
Pretzel rods dipped in chocolate, then in chopped M&Ms.
Apples dipped in chocolate (especially chocolate caramel) and then in nuts.

To join my team, order some, or to find out more about these amazing products check out my website HERE

Most the day on Friday I spent busily putting away my overly large collection of kitchen glassware and gadgets into this china hutch I recently received. It used to belong to my sister but she is moving out-of-state so I bought it from her. It needs some new hardware, but that will be an easy fix. I really needed the extra storage. My kitchen storage was bursting at the seams, all due to my addiction for all things cool looking and cooking related.

I'm excited by just how much counter top I freed up by storing my occasional use appliances in the bottom of the hutch. I can't wait to make a Lattice-top Apple pie in my kitchen now. Or maybe some Italian Pastry cookies. Oh, the ideas I have for my kitchen this upcoming holiday season. I even grabbed my rolling-pin and mimed rolling out some dough.

With all the ideas of baking possibilities swirling through my mind it really got me into the spirit of fall so, I made some Popcorn balls for a special treat. They were surprisingly easy to make. More importantly the kids loved them.

Caramel Popcorn Balls

Yields about 6 popcorn balls

Ingredients
2 quarts popped popcorn or 1/3 cup popcorn kernels

1 cup packed brown sugar

1/3 cup water

1/3 cup dark corn syrup

1/4 cup butter (no substitutes)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Pop the 1/3 cup of popcorn kernels using your preferred method. Put the popcorn in a large bowl and set aside.
In a heavy saucepan, combine the brown sugar, water, corn syrup, butter and salt. Bring mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.
Continue cooking, without stirring , until a candy thermometer reads 270 degrees F (soft-crack stage).
Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla. Pour over popcorn; stir until the popcorn is evenly coated. When cool enough to handle, quickly shape into balls.
Let cool at room temperature.

Variation

This recipe also makes a great popcorn munch. To make this recipe as a popcorn munch reduce the amount of popped popcorn you use and add 1 cup of your favorite nuts. To cool, spread on waxed paper at room temperature. You can also drizzle with melted chocolate.