Happy National Milk Chocolate Day

Monday, July 28^th is National Milk Chocolate Day. While the origins of this special day are unknown, it is believed to have been started by the National Confectioners Association.

Ever wondered what makes milk chocolate different from other chocolate? Well, the answer is in the name. Milk chocolate is solid chocolate that is made with milk in the form of milk powder, liquid milk or condensed milk.

Milk chocolate continues to be a favorite among millions of people. However you prefer to eat it, Milk Chocolate Day is your day to enjoy it. How about trying out some new recipes? Here are some of our favorites:

Peanut Butter Stuffed Milk Chocolate Sandwich Cookies

Old Fashioned Tea Time Milk Chocolate Cake

Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites

Chewy and Fudgy Brownies

Milk Chocolate Mousse

Milk Chocolate Crescents

Milk Chocolate Pound Cake

Easy Smore Clusters

Milk Chocolate Popcorn

Chocolate Candy Bar Cake

Milk Chocolate Pecan Pie

Have yourself a very happy Milk Chocolate Day! And don’t feel guilty, it’s a holiday!

A Chocolate For Every Season

As the start of summer draws dangerously near, we wanted to take a moment to consider the changing of the seasons. When you reflect back on the changes of the seasons, there are special things that each individual looks forward to, or perhaps can’t stand the thought of. The rebirth that comes with the Spring, Summers filled with trips to the beach, the leaves turning colors in the Fall, skiing or snowmobiling in the Winter. Yes, there is a uniqueness that each season brings to the year. And like the fresh fruits and veggies we enjoy in the summer and the soups and hot dishes (if you aren’t from Minnesota, ask a Minnesotan) we enjoy in the winter, there truly is a chocolate meant for every season too. Sure, you are free to enjoy all kinds of chocolate all year round, but there are certain times of year when it just makes sense to imbibe in a certain kind of chocolate that suits the season to a T.

SPRING
Spring means colors are literally popping up everywhere. It is the time for flowers blooming, birds reappearing after the winter, grass reappears after the harsh winter. You start seeing your neighbors emerging outside again. It’s the start of wedding season and the end of the school year. Memorial Day marks the official time to start wearing white pants (whoever came up with that?!). Maybe you know where we are going with this. White Chocolate is the perfect complement to any event in the spring. It serves as the foundation for the introduction of color. It can be dressed up with colorful foils and ribbons or even tinted to match the specific color of your event or corporate logo. It’s light and sweet and is great for dipping your favorite fruits and snacks into like strawberries and pretzels.

SUMMER
Summer means steaming hot days and icy cold beverages. School’s out and it’s road trip time. Get outside and enjoy the few months of bearable weather (if the mosquitoes aren’t out yet). Minnesotans everywhere are hitting the lakes, the links and the trails. And it’s perfectly suited for Milk Chocolate. We can all remember days when we were growing up, riding our bikes to the store and picking up some yummy candy bars that we gobbled up before we even got back on our bikes to head home. Milk chocolate is creamy and smooth, not too bitter, not too sweet. It’s the perfect balance. And much like Summer is a favorite season for many, milk chocolate is a favorite for almost everyone.

AUTUMN
Autumn brings colder days and falling leaves. It’s our last-ditch effort to enjoy the outdoors before we head inside for a few months. The patio furniture gets put away, the leaves get raked, bonfires make for some truly enjoyable evenings. Visits to the orchard for warm apple cider, apple picking, perhaps some wine tasting and Dark Chocolate. It’s the time of year when we all start wearing jeans and sweaters again and can smell the change of seasons happening. There is a sense of relief after the hot summer has passed us and we anticipate the cold depths of winter that are upon us. For many in the Midwest, it’s a favorite time of year. Dark chocolate is comforting, rich, and decadent. Throw a little sea salt on there for a salty sweet combo that is to die for.

WINTER
With Winter comes even colder days, snow falling, and icy roads that people somehow forgot to drive on during the warmer months. The Holidays bring families together, we enjoy hot cocoa with mini marshmallows, holiday goodies and rich Dark Mint Chocolate. We start layering the clothes and batten down the hatches. Gathering around the TV on Sundays to watch our favorite football team with a pile of appetizers and some frosty brews. Curl up with a an old favorite with a subtle hint of mint to get those holiday spirits going.

Whatever time of year it is and whatever your chocolate preference, the great thing is, there is something for everyone.

Chocolate is Like People

There aren’t too many people that don’t LOVE chocolate. Chocolate is universal and unites us all regardless of where we are from, what we look like, how we talk, or how much money we make. Just like people, chocolate comes in all shapes, sizes, colors, flavors and varieties.

Some of us are plain, understated and don’t like to take too many risks. Others are fun, colorful and full of surprises. Some people are sweet and others are a bit salty. And let’s be honest, some of us are just plain nutty.

For some, a Hershey® bar will do just fine and for others, something more exotic is a must. Some love the creamy, sweetness of milk chocolate and others prefer the bittersweet taste of dark chocolate. Whatever your pleasure, there is a chocolate that is right for you and fits your personality to a “T”.

No matter how hard we try, we’ve all found ourselves judging a book by its cover. If a box of chocolates has beautiful, elaborate packaging you assume it’s better than the understated and unassuming package sitting next to it. But don’t be so quick to judge. Just because something is basic, doesn’t mean it’s not as good. After all, it’s what’s on the inside that counts.

The great thing about chocolate is that it doesn’t judge you. Chocolate is your friend. And like a good friend, chocolate can be your shoulder to cry on when things aren’t going well. It can be the pick me up you need when you are having a bad day. It’s there when you celebrate a special occasion or when you need a little break from life’s craziness. And maybe best of all, it doesn’t mind if you eat the whole box.

So whether you prefer your chocolate with unique ingredients like bacon, chili powder, or lavender or something a little more basic is more your taste, consider this: Variety is the spice of life and chocolate is no different. And that’s what keeps things interesting.