#ziegenfelder-candy-company

#ziegenfelder-candy-company

Brad Reese expressed his disappointment over Hershey's decision to replace milk chocolate with 'compound coatings' and real peanut butter with 'peanut-butter-style crème' in various products, leading to widespread public outcry.

The best supermarket Easter eggs include Waitrose's dark chocolate orange egg, which is Fairtrade-certified and features a sophisticated 65% dark chocolate, flavored with aromatic Valencian orange oil.

Reese's Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Crème Eggs offer the same chocolate and peanut butter combination as other Reese's offerings. The chocolate and PB are flavorful, with an emphasis on the soft peanut butter-filled center. These are a good pick if you want something more peanut buttery than chocolatey, with colorful wrappers that are eye-catching and ideal for setting out Easter candies.

Thanks to their vibrant appearance and soft, meltable texture, Peeps can easily transform homemade desserts, breakfasts, and snacks into colorful, festive treats. There are an array of flavors to play with. Each brings its own distinct flavor and hue and opens the door to all kinds of playful Easter-inspired creations.

Quality chocolate delivers better flavor, texture, and overall experience. Higher-quality cacao has more complexity, with notes that can be fruity, nutty, floral, or earthy instead of simply sweet or bitter. It also melts more cleanly because it relies on cocoa butter rather than cheaper fats.

Brad Reese bought a bag of Reese's Mini Hearts and realized those little hearts weren't made with the classic combo of milk chocolate and peanut butter that Reese's is known for. Instead, these mini hearts were made with "chocolate candy" and "peanut butter creme," cheaper concoctions that he felt were far inferior to the real deal.

I took two bites and I had to spit it out, Reese says. I've never had that happen to me, ever, in the 70 years of my life. There was no taste. It was inedible. Reese took a closer look at the packaging, specifically the ingredients. He noticed that instead of milk chocolate, the mini hearts were covered in a chocolate-flavored coating that was mostly sugar and vegetable oil; the list of ingredients contained a disclaimer that the candy contained less than 2% cocoa.

Brad Reese used to eat a Reese's product every day. Not anymore. The 70-year-old grandson of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups inventor H.B. Reese wrote a scathing open letter to Hershey accusing the candy giant of replacing milk chocolate with compound coatings and peanut butter with peanut crème in multiple products. He recently threw out a bag of Reese's Mini Hearts. "It was not edible," he told the Associated Press.

Ice cream lovers are faced with serious decisions in the frozen section. Alongside popular favorites, there are plenty of underrated ice cream brands that deserve attention. Pennsylvania-born Turkey Hill is just one example. What started in the Great Depression as a dairy business has endured. Whether tucked into homemade waffle cones or used to make banana splits, Turkey Hill warrants consideration. "I know there's not a lot of love for Turkey Hill, but this is my favorite ice cream," confessed one Redditor. The poster wasn't alone. The brand was first sold regionally but can now be found in major markets.

Chocolate artist Chris Ford's whimsical creations - once available exclusively online and to celebrities - are now accessible at his West Hollywood pop-up shop. The Butter, Love & Hardwork space features themed, seasonal chocolate designs inspired by holidays and special occasions, from Valentine's roses to Easter eggs. Beyond chocolates, the shop now offers pastries, coffee drinks and a chocolate vending machine, with plans for a dessert tasting menu.

A chocolate box is not a substitute for true love. But sometimes it's close enough. The best chocolate boxes can offer all the complexity and intensity of a brief love affair, and more variety than some lives. Sometimes, only the best will do. And these days, the best chocolates in existence are a mere mouse-click away, able to be ordered online and sent to your favorite human being on earth (even if it's you).

From rolled ice cream to fried ice cream, there's no shortage of modern, inventive ways to enjoy the world-famous cold treat, but sometimes, a simple scoop of plain ol' vanilla does the trick. Even better? A scoop at America's oldest ice cream brand, Bassetts, where you can get a true old-fashioned ice cream experience. Bassetts has been making Philadelphia-style ice cream since 1861, but it has operated out of its singular, iconic location in Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia since 1892.

There are all kinds of amazing markets across the United States, each offering something unique in the way of fridge and pantry treasures. If you're a fan of German fare, in particular, there's one store you have to know: German Gourmet in Falls Church, Virginia. It's a local legend, having been in business since 1962 and boasting one of the most comprehensive selections of authentic German food and beverages.

Let's talk about holiday baking that goes beyond cookies! These are the festive winter bakes to try. The list includes an ultra fragrant gingerbread cake, a bright citrus loaf, and the perfect flourless chocolate cake. Few people love baking holiday cookies more than me, but a good amount of my favorite December baking happens outside the cookie platter. Think fragrant spice cakes, all things citrus, buttery, and bright - or deep, melty chocolate on the frostiest nights.

Layered with 47 different artisanal treats, from miniature cakes and truffles to macarons and maple smoked chili caramels, this gift is a nuclear bomb to the waistline, but most of the items on it last up to 30 days in the fridge, so the recipient will be reminded of your generosity all month long. Does it live up to the hype? I put on my fat pants in the name of journalism and requested one to try out.

This year, the American public is expected to blow $29 billion on Valentine's Day, according to the National Retail Federation. That's $1.5 billion more in consumer spending than 2025 somehow, against all odds, the country is in the mood for lovin'. Some of that money will go toward flowers, spa treatments and classy dinners, some no doubt toward lingerie and boxers. And a lot will go toward chocolate. After the winter holidays, Valentine's is the busiest time of year for most chocolate shops.