History and Timeline of Chocolate Bars

Everyone loves chocolate. People crave for chocolate and some even become addicted to it. Well, today is the day that I am craving for chocolate. Too bad I was not able to buy myself one due to time constraints. :(

I want to eat chocolate today, and I was not able to satisfy my craving. Sorry sweet tooth. :\ Due to this chocolate craving, I sat in front of the computer looking for chocolate desserts so I can stare at them, but I realized that I was not doing anything productive at all.

Until..  I came to a decision to write a new post on this blog. I was so desperate in eating chocolate today, and because of this, I was asking myself,  "How did the first candy bar come to life?" "Who started making candy bars?"
Thanks to the Candy Bar history article at ideafinder.com, all my questions were answered. Let me share what I have read:

The Candy Bar was invented by Joseph Fry in 1847. He was able to discover a way to mix in melted cacao butter and "Dutched" cocoa powder with sugar to create something that could be pressed into a mold.

Joseph Fry

His invention was successful that people considered eating the chocolate, instead of melting it again for them to drink. This is what most people consider as the very first chocolate bar for eating.


John Cadbury added a similar product to his range in 1849, and by today's standards these original chocolate bars would not be considered very palatable. The early eating bars of chocolate were made of bittersweet chocolate.

John Cadbury

Milk chocolate was introduced in 1875 when Henry Nestle, a maker of evaporated milk and Daniel Peter, a chocolate maker, got together and invented milk chocolate.

Henry Nestle

Daniel Peter

In 1879, Rodolphe Lindt thought to add cocoa butter back to the chocolate. Adding the additional cocoa butter helped the chocolate set up into a bar that "snaps" when broken as well as melting on the tongue.

Rodolphe Lindt

At the 1893 Columbian Exposition, a World's Fair held in Chicago, chocolate-making machinery made in Dresden, Germany, was displayed. It caught the eye of Milton S. Hershey, who had made his fortune in caramels, saw the potential for chocolate. He installed chocolate machinery in his factory in Lancaster, and produced his first chocolate bars in 1900.

Milton Hershey

Other Americans began mixing in other ingredients to make up new candy bars throughout the end of the 1890's and the early 1900's. But it was World War I that really brought attention to the candy bar. The U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps commissioned various American chocolate manufacturers to provide 20 to 40 pound blocks of chocolate to be shipped to quartermaster bases. The blocks were chopped up into smaller pieces and distributed to doughboys in Europe.

Eventually the task of making smaller pieces was turned back to the manufacturers. By the end of the war the returning doughboys had grown fond of chocolate candy and now as civilians wanted more of the same. As a result, from that time on and through the 1920s, candy bar manufacturers became established througout the United States, and as many as 40,000 different candy bars appeared on the scene. The Twenties became the decade that among other things, was the high point of the candy bar industry.


Timeline of Chocolate Bars:

 250 Mayan society's elite consume a chocolate drink made from Cacao beans
1375 Aztec society use cacao beans as currency and as a beverage
1529 a Chocolate drink is introduced into Spain from the Americas by conquistador Hernando Cortez
1729 Walter Churchman granted Letters Patent by George II for chocolate making
1847 Joseph Fry & Sons, creates a paste that could be pressed into a mold, resulting in bar candy

An old ad of Joseph Fry and Sons

1849 John Cadbury introduces a chocolate candy bar

An old ad of Cadbury

1875 Milk Chocolate invented by Henry Nestle and Daniel Peter

Daniel Peter's old Ad

1879 Rodolphe Lindt creates a bar that "snaps" when broken as well as melting on the tongue. 

An old Lindt Chocolate bar

1900 Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar was invented 

Hershey's old Ad

1916 Clark bar invented

1919 Joseph Fry & Sons of Bristol, merged with Cadbury Limited
1923 Reese's Peanut Butter Cups was invented 

Reese's old Ad

1923 Butterfinger was invented 

Butterfinger's old Wrapper

1923 Milky Way was invented

Milky Way's old Wrapper

1925 Kandy Kake (the original name of the Baby Ruth), 

Baby Ruth's old Ad

1925 Oh Henry! was invented

Oh Henry! 

1925 Mr. Goodbar was invented

Mr. Goodbar Old Wrapper

1930 Snickers Bar was invented

Vintage Snickers wrapper

1932 3 Musketeers Bar was invented 

3 Musketeers old Wrapper

1933 Kit Kat was invented 

Kit Kat bar wrapper

1938 Nestle's Crunch was invented 

Nestle Crunch Ad

Chocolate is really waaaay older than me. Hahaha. Even though it is already from way back, people still love it now. Is it because of the new flavors? or is it because the taste still remains the same after all those years? What do you think? Either way, I am still a chocolate lover and I'm proud of it. :)

Make your own Yema Balls! Here's How!

What is Yema? Yema is a type of candy that is made from condensed milk and egg yolks. It is a very common Filipino dessert and it can be seen mostly everywhere in the Philippines. 

Yema is very easy to do. You do not need to have a lot of cooking and preparation. This dessert is presented with colorful cellophane, most of these are wrapped in green, yellow, red, and orange.

It is mostly formed in small or big triangles, for it is individually placed into triangular cut cellophane, which makes it form that shape. Here's how the triangular shaped yema looks like:

Triangular Yema :D

Everyone loves Yema. It is also my personal favorite. Hehe. Young or old, they never get tired of it. What's nice about this is that, it is really very easy to do and you can just do it at home.You have the option if you want it in a triangular shape or a circular shape, but I am showing you how to do the circular shape form the blog, panlasangpinoy.com :)

Yema Balls
Image source:rapsapinoy.com

More Yema Balls :D
Image source:pinoyrecipes.co.cc

Here's how to do it:

Ingredients:

3 tbsp unsalted butter

1 can (14 ounces) condensed milk

3 egg yolks

3 tbsp peanuts, chopped

Cooking procedure:

1. Place the butter in a heated saucepan and allow to melt

2. Stir-in the condensed milk and allow to cook for 3 minutes

3. Add the egg yolks then continue stirring for 2 minutes

4. Set the heat to medium and put-in the chopped peanuts then stir until the mixture becomes thick (about 15 to 20 minutes). Adjust heat to low when texture is about to be achieved.

5. Turn-off the heat and allow the mixture to cool down

6. When the temperature of the mixture is tolerable, scoop a spoonful then roll with your hands to form a sphere (ball shape).

7. Transfer to a serving dish and apply your desired presentation

8. Serve. Share and Enjoy!

Make your Own Cake Pops!

What are Cake pops? Cake pops are cake and frosting all balled up in one. They are hand dipped in chocolate or candy frosting and can be covered in your choice of decorations. They are easy to do, and are a big hit when it comes to being great favors at all kinds of events.

Cake Pops are cute and fun to do, and it is said that creative and expert bakers have so much fun when making them. Oh by the way, I have included cute designs of cake pops at the end of the post. :)

These treats are very easy to make, you don't need to have a very expensive baking equipment to fix yourself one of these. I was able to find a simple cake pop recipe on the blog gourmetrecipe.com, and because I want you all to try it, here it is! Hurrraaah! :))

Ingredients and Tools

You will need one box of cake mix, one can of frosting, candy melts (you’ll find them in the cake decorating section of big box stores or anywhere cake making supplies are sold), vegetable shortening (like Crisco), lollipop sticks, and decorations (like sprinkles). For packaging the cake pops, you’ll need plastic sandwich bags and twist ties.

PROCEDURE:

Begin by baking the cake according to the package directions. Allow to completely cool, then place in a large bowl and use a fork to crumble the cake. Make sure to break down any chunks.

Mix in half the frosting. Now try to make a ball from this “dough:” Squeeze the cake mixture together and roll it between your palms. If the ball falls apart or cracks, put the sample back in the bowl and add a tablespoon at a time of frosting until the “dough” easily shapes into a ball. Roll all the “batter” into 1 ¼ inch balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Place the melts in a double broiler and melt, or place them in a bowl in the microwave and nuke them for 30 seconds at a time until they are completely melted. Stir in tiny amounts of vegetable shortening until the chocolate is smooth.

Dip the tip of one lollipop stick into the melted chocolate, then stick it into a ball, going about ¾ of the way through the cake. Hold onto the stick until the chocolate sets a little, then move on to the other balls. Once the chocolate is set, dip the cake pops into the melted chocolate, covering the entire ball. When removing each ball, tap the lollipop stick on the side of a bowl to remove any excess chocolate. Decorate the cake pops.

Always remember to keep pops at room temperature. :)

See? You can always have fun when making Cake Pops, and there are many designs appropriate for them. 

Here are some cute designs for you. :)

Farm Animals inspired Cake PopsImage source:dailycandy.com

Easter Egg Cake Pops
Image source:natscorner.com

Mr. Potato head Cake Pops
Image source:szoosh.tumblr.com

Halloween Cake Pops
Image source:passion-for-parties.com

Cake Pops decorated with Sprinkles
Image source:elenaspantry.com

Now, are you already convinced that these treats are delicious and adorable at the same time? If you are, what are you waiting for? Go make one. :)

Desserts named after Famous People

Famous people always make the headlines, their names can be heard everywhere, but did you know that there are desserts named after some famous people?

Maybe we don't really notice because we don't mind the name of the dessert because we immediately eat them. Well, maybe your favorite dessert is also named after a famous person. Who knows, right?

There are foods that became famous because of the name of a famous person. Do you wanna know some of them?

1. Nellie Melba- Helen Porter Mitchell is her real name and she was a famous opera singer during her time. While staying at Savoy Hotel in London, Auguste Escoffier invented the Melba Toast in her honor. Auguste was a huge fan of Melba, that he even invented Peach Melba Toast four years earlier.

Nellie Melba

Melba toast 

2. Pavlova- Anna Pavlova is a ballerina who toured New Zealand and Australia. Ever since, these two nations have been fighting over who invented the dessert. The earliest known recipe to be called Pavlova is from a 1927 New Zealand cookbook and is a cake-based trifle rather than a meringue-based cake. In 1934 Australian chef Bert Sachse came up with his version that he adapted from a New Zealand recipe published in 1929.  So, who do you think invented it first?

Anna Pavlova

Pavlova Dessert

3. Madeleines- These little cakes are very famous and it is named after the cook who created them. She is Madeleine Paulmier. 

Madeleines

4. Victoria Sponge- Two sponge cake layers with jam in between is a favorite of Queen Victoria. She was so fond of this cake because she eats it alongside her tea. It is sometimes called a Victoria Sandwich. 

Queen Victoria

Victoria Sponge

5. Apple Brown Betty- The dessert was named after its creator, Betty Simmons. It was called to be "brown" because of Betty's color, and it is mostly made up of layered apples with bread cubes.

Betty Simmons

Apple Brown Betty

Hmmm. It must be really awesome if a dessert is named after you right?:)

Make your Popcorn happy! Add Snickers! Recipe included :)

Tired of your usual popcorn? Want more flavors aside from salt, butter, sour cream and barbecue?

Popcorn is a favorite when it comes to the movies, I am a movie buff and I buy popcorn every time I go to the cinemas, but I admit that I get bored to the usual flavors served in the food counters.

I know that I am not the only one who likes to eat popcorn in the cinemas, I know that there are people like me who start to eat their popcorn once they get settled on their seats, and discovers that their popcorn tub is already half empty in the beginning of the movie.

I am aware of the fact that popcorn is sold in many flavors in the United States, unlike her in the Philippines where only Tater's have a lot of flavors to choose from.

 I was thinking that when I have my own house, and I have a big entertainment room, I know that I am surely going to make myself  perfect batch of popcorn, but this time, it's not sour cream, salted, or butter anymore. This time, it's going to be Snickers Popcorn :)

I don't really know if I can wait to make this. Did I just say I have to a house first before I try this? Hahaha. I don't think I can wait.

Well, I was so into looking for new popcorn flavors, and I came across this recipe from cookiesandcups.com. For those who are chocolate and popcorn lovers at the same time, this is for you:

First you need to pop your corn

Then you need to make your caramel.

Butter + Brown Sugar + Corn syrup = Delicious

Boil it for 5 minutes…

Transfer it onto some wax paper and sprinkles with your peanuts and make sure all your corn is coated.

Now bake it up for a little over an hour at 200°

Giving it a nice stir every 15 minutes.

While the popcorn is baking get out your Snickers. The more the merrier.

Give ‘em a coarse chopping.

When the popcorn is done add in your Snickers and stir them in evenly.

Pop the popcorn back in the oven for 3 minutes just enough time to melt the Snickers to the popcorn.

Transfer the popcorn back to the wax paper and spread out to cool.

But if you WANT, you could drizzle some melted chocolate on top.

Finished popcorn:

It looks so gooood! It makes me drool! Hahaha. So what do you say guys? Are you willing to try this with me?:)

Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe for Weight Loss

There are people who cannot afford to deprive themselves of eating desserts, even though they work out. Who will not be tempted to eat sweets if you can see them everywhere? Well, I guess you just really need to have a strong will power in order for you to fight these sweet temptations.

Don't fret if you can't stop or control yourself from eating different desserts. Who says desserts cannot be healthy too? Well, if you didn't know, desserts can really be healthy and can be helpful for one's weight loss.

According to eatthis.womensmag.com, there are a lot of desserts who can make you guilt-free once you dig in. The all-time favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies can also help you when it comes to weight loss, provided that you follow this recipe given by eatthis.womensmag.com:

Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookie
Image source:eatthis.womensmag.com

190 calories
8 g fat (5 g saturated)
28 g carbohydrates
16 g sugars

No applesauce, protein powder, or Splenda here. Just good, honest, truly delicious chocolate chip cookies.

You'll Need:
8 tablespoons butter (1 stick), softened
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups flour
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
Sea salt flakes (optional)

How to Make It
* Preheat the oven to 375°F.

* In a mixing bowl, thoroughly mix the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until creamy. Stir in eggs and vanilla until well incorporated. Add the baking soda, salt, and flour and mix until the dough comes together, being careful not to overmix. Stir in the chocolate chips.

* Drop the dough onto a baking sheet in balls about 3 tablespoons in size, leaving at least 3 inches between cookies.

* Bake until the edges are golden and the middles are just barely set. Remove from the sheet, sprinkle with a bit of sea salt (if using), and cool on a wire rack. 

Makes about 12 cookies.

Well, I hope this helps those who crave but deprive themselves because of the calorie count in desserts. It's really good to eat desserts you know. Don't worry, these chocolate chip cookies won't harm you, they're healthy and at the same time delicious. So what now? Will you try it?  :) 

Filipino Halo-Halo, introduced by the Japanese?

Filipinos are all aware of the dessert called "halo-halo" or translated in English, mix mix. It is popular among all Filipinos, and it is made of shaved ice, evaporated milk with beans and fruits, all served in a tall glass or a bowl.

Halo-halo has been a Filipino favorite for a long time. During the summer, people crave for this cold treat, which makes it a certified hit in the season. Halo-halo is very easy to do that is why vendors crowd the streets during the summer, in order to satisfy their customer's cooling needs.

Halo-Halo Vendors
Image source:100poundfoodie.com

We have been snacking on it, and we claim it as a Certified Pinoy Dessert, but have you ever wondered how the concept of the halo-halo started?

No one knows who started making the first halo halo in the Philippines, but historical records show that:

It was first introduced by the Karayukisan-san. This is a group of Japanese women who traveled to East Asia and Southeast Asia to work as prostitutes about 100 years ago. These women, after retiring from their old work, which was prostitution, started to make Japanese sweets using the Philippines’ local fruits and crops for a new business in order for them to gain money.

Karayukisan-san Women

In an excerpt from the book, A Japanese in the Philippines” by Kiyoshi Osawa (1981), the food referred to is the halo halo:

“Another line of business monopolised by the Japanese [in the Philippines] was what we Japanese called mongo-ya. Mongo is a Tagalog word meaning red beans. What was sold for ten centavos was a plateful of cooked red beans heaped with ground ice, topped with sugar and milk. The business could be started with a small capital outlay and some Japanese, after a few years of modest saving as farming immigrants, turned a new leaf as proprietors of mongo-ya. All that was needed to open a shop were a makeshift hut, some small tables and log chairs, and one young boy to help. Also needed were red beans, ice cream, papayas, and penny candies, all in small quantities.”

Halo-halo is already popular all over the world. The Japanese may have started it during the pre-war times, but, the Halo-Halo will always be a typical Filipino's favorite dessert. You know what they say, You are not a Filipino, unless you try the Halo-Halo :)