Sweet Pete's Chocolate Truffle Date Nights

The Perfect Date! Champagne, Chocolate, Whimsical Victorian House and a Candy Scientist! Sweet Pete's signature truffles are decadent. Don't wait for Valentine's Day to show your love. Treat your special someone to a special night out any Thursday or Friday night in February.

Chocolate Truffle Classes $20.00 per person. Enjoy one complimentary glass of champagne, learn to make truffles. Take home the recipe and approximately 1/2 pounds of truffles per person.

2 person minimum
Thursday and Friday nights only. 6:30 pm
20.00 deposit required
Reservations 904-376-7161
Couples will participate with up to three other couples.

Sweet Pete's Chocolate Bar Happy Hour- Staff Favorites!

Your Bar Your Way!

Yay! Our chocolate bar happy hours start today! We are excited to offer our customers the opportunity to create custom chocolate bars for the same price as our everyday bars. We will have a lot of toppings available to make sure everyone can create the perfect bar! Today we are posting some staff favorites to give you some ideas.

Pete- Dark Chocolate with Toffee Bits
Allison- Milk Chocolate with marshmallows and Pecans
Dane- Dark Chocolate with Roasted Salted Pecans
Ericka- Milk Chocolate with Sea Salt Caramels
"D"- Milk Chocolate with Peanut Butter Meltaways and Peanuts
Bryonna- White Chocolate with Gummy Bears
Kayla- Dark Chocolate with Espresso
Courtney- Dark Chocolate with Cashews and a hint of Cayenne

There are also lots of healthy options. Choose Sweet Pete's Dark Chocolate (All Natural, Gluten Free and Dairy Free) which contains a lot

of antioxidants. Pair it with any of the toppings listed below.

Toasted Organic Coconut-
Roasted Almonds
Pistachios
Dried Mango or Raisins
Exotic Spices

Join us every Wednesday and Friday from 8/28 to 10/25 from 4:00 to 6:30! $2.50 per bar. Spend $20.00 receive a free bar!

Sweet Pete's Caramel Pecan Clusters

Caramel Pecan Clusters are a type of chocolate candy that dates back to the 20th century. They are made from pecans, caramel and chocolate, and are also called caramel pecan patties, katydids, chocolate turtles, pecan patties, chocolate caramel pecan turtles and chocolate caramel turtles.

Most people refer to them as turtles.The name "turtle" was given to the candy based on its resemblance to the reptile's body, shell and legs. Nuts peek out from under the domed top of the candy and look like four turtle legs sticking out from under a shell. As the chocolate runs down the top of the candy on either end, it forms shapes similar to a turtle's head and tail.

These chocolate candies are extremely popular at most chocolate shops and are one of the best sellers at Sweet Pete's. I believe that most candies are best made with simple, time proven methods. The Caramel Pecan Clusters are all natural. I pour Sweet Pete's famous small batch caramel over Georgia pecans that are salted and roasted at Sweet Pete's. The clusters are then dipped in premium Belgium Callebaut chocolate.

While most of the clusters are purchased individually out of a chocolate case, Sweet Pete's Clusters are also available on Sweet Pete's website and Amazon in pretty silver gift boxes. Make sure to check out Episode Four of Sweet Pete's, The Show to see Sweet Pete's Caramel Pecan Clusters being made.

Grand Marnier Cherry Cordials

Episode Two of Sweet Pete's, The Show, featured Grand Marnier Cherry Cordials in the Sweet Pete's Treats segment. Cherry Cordials or Chocolate Covered Cherries are one of my all time favorite confections. The recipe I use for Sweet Pete's Cherry Cordials is a classic candy recipe. As with many candy recipes, the classic is often the best. The key is the use of the best ingredients and time.

Sweet Pete's Grand Marnier Cherry Cordials are All Natural and Gluten Free. My favorite, Dark Chocolate Cherry Cordials are also Vegan. The full recipe for Sweet Pete's Cherry Cordials is available compliments of a Health Source, Fresh Local Flavor video. Check out Episode Two of The Show to experience #candyinsanity and for more tips! Subscribe to Sweet Pete's YouTube Channel for the latest recipes and episodes.

Sweet Pete's All Natural, Gluten Free and Vegan Grand Marnier Chocolate Covered Cherry Cordials are available on Sweet Pete's Website and Amazon.



Sweet Pete's Grand Marnier Cherry Cordials

Natural Maraschino Cherries
Pour out half of the jar of cherry juice
Fill jar up with Grand Marnier
Cover and Refrigerate at least overnight

Fondant
4 Cups Sugar
½ Cup Corn Syrup
¾ Cup of Water

Stir thoroughly together in a 3 qt pan
Bring to a boil over high heat
Once boiling cover for 2 minutes
Remove lid and insert candy thermometer
Once reaches 240 degrees F, remove from heat
Pour into an oiled ¼ sheet pan
Insert candy thermometer.
Set timer for 10 minutes
Once reaches 120 degrees F, scrape mixture into mixing bowl
Using paddle attachment beat on low speed for 8 to 12 minutes- Mixture will cream or seize up- DO NOT WALK AWAY, this could cause damage to motor if not turned off once mixture thickens.
Cover tightly with saran wrap and refrigerate for storage.
Can be made in advance.

Spread cherries on a paper towel to drain.
Heat fondant in microwave until liquid. Repeat as necessary
Mix in 2 tsp Invertase. Available at specialty confection sites. We recommend Sugarcraft.
Dip cherries in fondant.
Dip cherries in tempered chocolate
Make sure to dip part of the stem to prevent leaking. Some leaking is normal.
Package in Candy Cups.
Allow to sit several days.

Enjoy and Stay Sweet,
Pete

Is Gluten Free Dieting a Trend?

Sweet Pete's offers only All Natural sweets. We are proud to have a gluten free kitchen. We focus on creating sweets that taste as good if not better than the artificial sweets. Because of the taste of our treats we have a lot of cross over customers that are shopping on taste and are not concerned about all natural, vegan or gluten free products.

Many of these customers ask us why gluten free is such a big deal now. Is it a trend? We recently came across a great article that helps explain why gluten intolerance is more prevalent than it once was.

Enjoy the article and video. We hope it sheds some light on gluten free diets.

http://www.glutenfreesociety.org/gluten-free-society-blog/modern-wheat-breeding-increases-celiac-disease-occurrence/

Thanks,
Sweet Pete's

The Sweetest Valentine’s Day Strawberries are Locally Grown!

Sweet Pete’s, All Natural Sweet Shoppe is proud to offer All Natural, Locally Grown strawberries. Peter Behringer, founder of Sweet Pete’s believes in supporting locally owned businesses.

Sweet Pete’s is partnering with local farm, Kings Country Produce to create our All Natural Chocolate Dipped Strawberries. Kings Country, owner Tommy King says the farm has been in his family for over 40 years. Since the berries are grown in Lawtey, they are picked as close to Valentine’s Day as possible to ensure the freshest possible berry.

Sweet Pete’s chocolate dipped berries are all natural and gluten free. The dark chocolate dipped berries are also vegan. Strawberries are packed in a red box with a heart shaped window and sell for $14.00 for 8 to 10 berries. Order on line at www.sweetpete.net to schedule a pick up or delivery, call Sweet Pete’s at 904-376-7161 or stop by the shoppe to pick up your berries and other all natural sweets!

Where You Purchase Matters:

For every $100.00 spent this much returns to your community:

Locally owned, independent, brick and mortar store: $68.00
National chain or big box store: $43.00
Online Store (unless you live in a very small place): $0

2011

At Sweet Pete’s, Pure, Simple Sweets, we strive to strike a balance between great taste and keeping all of our products all natural. In 2011 we were continually reminded that all of our products needed to taste great. If the taste is not there, the customer won’t be either. We are happy to announce that all of our all natural, vegan and gluten free treats and gifts sold briskly during the holiday season. We believe that this is because our products taste great and, secondarily, achieve our customers’ varied dietary needs. We are excited about launching a series of new all natural sweet treats in the new year, paying special attention to gluten free and vegan candies. We wish everyone the best in the new year!