October 23, 2011 – 8:20 pm
Grocer's Daughter
C H O C O L A T E
Boy do we have a deal for you!
We are welcoming fall with a special offer to our e-newsletter subscribers!
Fall reminds us of deep notes of chocolate, honey and apple. So we have created an ensemble of caramels and paired it with a bag of crisp, chocolate dipped apple slices. This 12-piece caramel box includes two of each of the following flavors: sea salt, espresso, ginger, hazelnut, apple cider and maya. Then, we bring together Nature's Treats dried apple slices with our dark chocolate and pack them in the perfect snack size bag.
We will send this out, with or without a gift card, all for $35. Please call, 231-326-3030, or send an e-mail to place your order and we'll get packing!
Savory Apple Pizza with Chocolate
Here is a crisp crust pizza that you can create to be enjoyed with a cup of tea or an elegant glass of wine.
Crust Ingredients:
1 1/2 cup unbleached flour
1 stick of unsalted butter cut into 12 pieces
1 egg
3 tablespoons of cold water
a pinch of salt
Place flour and salt in a food processor and pulse to combine. Add butter and pulse until mix becomes granular, then gradually add water. Scoop out the dough and knead lightly until you have formed a ball. You may add more water as needed. Let the dough rest in the refrigerator for 15 minutes. Take the dough out and roll it out to fit a pizza pan or small cookie sheet.
Topping Ingredients:
3 apples, cored and thinly sliced- feel free to substitute pears
1 lemon for zest and juice
zest of 1 orange
3-5 tablespoons of finely chopped basil or pesto
1 tablespoon of finely chopped rosemary
1/4 cup of finely grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
black pepper
olive oil
1/8 cup coarsely chopped dark chocolate, at least 70% cocoa content
Arrange the apple slices so that the crust is covered. Mix the zest of the lemon and the orange with the juice of one lemon. Brush this mixture evenly over the apple slices. Sprinkle herbs and then cheese over the apples. Lightly dust the pizza with the cinnamon and black pepper. Finish with a light drizzle of olive.
Bake the pizza in the lower third of your oven at 500 degrees F, for 18 minutes. Remove pizza and place on a cooling rack. Sprinkle dark chocolate over the pizza, cool for 15minutes, slice and serve!
Did you know on November 1st we will turn 7 years old? We have already started to celebrate with a few new signs for our Empire home. Our thanks to Dennis Gerathy for doing such a nice job painting all three of our new signs. Come for a visit and let us know what you think! Also, be sure to like us on Facebook so you can learn the details of our anniversary celebration.
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October 23, 2011 – 8:14 pm
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Grocer's Daughter
C H O C O L A T E
Oh how we love Summer in Empire!
The shop is hopping with beach goers and campers, new and returning chocolate enthusiasts.
Chords and Chocolate has returned!
Come to our shop, enjoy some chocolate and give a listen to some amazing local music. Each performance begins at 7:00pm and weather permitting, will be held outside.
Thursday, 7/21: Freya- American/Swedish Folk Music
Thursday, 8/4: Emma Cook and Will Hendricks- The hoppin'est folk duo around
(pictured above)
If you are looking for live music on Thursday 7/28 the Empire Chamber of Commerce is hosting an Empire Art Encounter, come into town and check it out!
Perhaps you recognize these little guys from last year's newsletter. They have been patiently waiting for fudgesicle season to return. This has been great weather for cold fudgesickles! In the shop we are always working to create new flavor combinations and we have a challenge for you! Below you will find one of our customers' favorite recipes, try it with your own flavor additions. Share your favorite creation on our Facebook page, we'll pick a winning combo and feature it in the shop…we'll even name it after you!
8oz of milk chocolate, chopped
3oz dark chocolate, chopped
7oz coconut milk
Bring the coconut milk to a boil and then add chocolate. Stir until melted; you may need to pop in the microwave at 40% power for one minute increments. Pour into a clean, dry ice cube tray and put into the freezer. After 10-15 minutes, insert popsicle sticks. After about 30 minutes, fudgesicles should be set.
So work from this recipe, mix and match, milk and dark, fruit juice or water and see what you can come up with. Good Luck!
Speaking of warm weather treats…these 90 degree temperatures mean we can't ship much. However there are a couple of items on our website that are delicious and they will not melt. Our Chocolate Sunbutter or Maple Nibs are both popular picks. If these aren't quite what you had in mind, give us a call at, 231-326-3030 and we can talk about other options.
Remember we have extended our hours for July and the first two weeks of August. Visit us Monday through Saturday 10 am to 9 pm or Sunday 11 am to 6 pm.
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October 23, 2011 – 8:11 pm
Grocer's Daughter
C H O C O L A T E
"Blessed indeed is the man who hears many gentle voices call him father!" -Lydia M. Child
We at Grocer's Daughter Chocolate are giving three cheers for dads!
Our Father's Day Gift Box includes one jar of our Chocolate Sunbutter, our Chocolate Chili Rub, one box of our Maple Nibs and one of our cocoa colored organic cotton t-shirts featuring our pod logo. These items can be shipped anywhere in the U.S. regardless of temperature!
$45
If t-shirts aren't dad's thing, order this box without for just $25!
The Chocolate Sunbutter can be used as an alternative to peanut butter, it spreads nicely on toast and is perfect for dipping apple slices. The Maple Nibs are a sweet crunchy snack of almonds and cocoa nibs that have been baked with maple syrup. The Chocolate Chili Rub can be added by the teaspoon to your stir-frys or rubbed on by the tablespoon to your meat or fish before grilling.
Please just give us a call to order, 231-326-3030, this gift box is not on our website.
Warm weather shipping requires special precautions! If the temperature is higher than 72 degrees, chocolate treats must be sent overnight with ice packs. If the temperature is 85 degrees or warmer, we can not ship chocolate at all. Please check the forecast of where you wish to send chocolate; if it looks to be warm, contact us to discuss your options, 231-326-3030.
June is when our bodies migrate outdoors. We are hoping you make your way to our shop in Empire, where we have been readying ourselves for visits with summer friends. Already, we are hearing wonderful stories from returning visitors of how we are on their 'must- stop' list; we love being part of your northern Michigan experience! Look below to get a sense of the marketplace we are working to create! In addition to our wonderful chocolate creations, we are offering more of our favorite products from near and far.
Other happenings in the store will be chocolate tastings/classes, every Wednesday evening. Registration is requested, $10 per person. This is a cozy way to learn more about the origin and intricacies of chocolate; bring a group, bring yourself!
One item we are particularly excited about are our new t-shirts. They are sooo comfortable thanks to their natural fibers and relaxed fit. Please come in and check them out!
$24
Stay tuned…July brings the return of our Thursday Night Chocolate and Music. We plan to post our schedule in the next e-newsletter. July also means we are open late- 9:00 Monday- Saturday…stop in for desert!
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GROCER'S DAUGHTER chocolate
Mother's love is peace, it need not be acquired, it need not be deserved. -Erich Fromm
A Mother's Day Gift Box
$30
What beautiful, bright creations we have packaged for mom! Â She will enjoy a six-piece bouquet of bonbons: Lavender, Basil, Hummingbird, Honey, Sea Salt Caramel and Berry Caramel. We then add two items celebrating our local fruit, the Very Berry Bar and Cherry Pumpkinseed Puddles. The ultimate prize however, may be the chocolate Moon Box filled with our chocolate covered almonds.
Please note: Â This box is not on our website. Â Just give us a call at 231-326-3030 and we will help you personally!
Our Mother's Day gift to you, is an amazing brownie recipe!
Olive Oil Brownies
Yield:16 brownies
4 oz. 70% dark Grocer's Daughter Chocolate
1/3 cup olive oil
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 t sea salt
2 eggs, room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 t vanilla extract
1/8 t black pepper
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Â Line an 8 inch square pan with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray. Â Set aside.
In a small saucepan, melt the chocolate over low heat, stirring frequently. Â Or melt in the microwave at 4o% power, if you prefer. Â Whisk in the olive oil until well blended. Â Set aside to cool.
Combine the flour, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Â In a large bowl, beat the eggs and sugar until pale and thickened, about five minutes. Â Fold in the cooled chocolate mixture and the vanilla extract.
Add the flour mixture and stir just until combined. Â Pour into the prepared pan. Sprinkle with chocolate drops if so desired.
Bake for 20 minutes/ 18 min in convection oven. Â The brownies will be done when the top is dry and crackly, and a toothpick inserted in the center will emerge with moist crumbs. Â Place the pan on a cooling rack to cool completely before slicing.
Miriam and Luis are friends who belong to Ecuador's Quichua/native population. Â We are mentoring them in creating Casa de Chocolate in Otavalo in the Andes Mountains. A group of generous women in northern Michigan have given them a micro-loan to start their business of the chocolate cafe' and a small hostel. We will donate 10 % of the mother's day gift box to their cause.
Please take a moment to read her story.
Mother's Day is another marker indicating warm weather ahead. Â Please remember when the mercury creeps above 72 degrees standard shipping is no longer an option. Â Contact us by phone, 231-326-3030 or e-mail and we can discuss your options.
One of the early calls to celebrate Mother's Day in the United States was made by Julia Ward Howe. Â Her "Mother's Day Proclamation" was written in 1870 as a pacifist reaction to the loss of sons to the American Civil War. Â Howe believed women had a responsibility to shape their societies at the political level.
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Celebrate Easter andSpringtime with
Chocolate
Featured Creations
Bucktooth Bunny(Dark or Milk)
4 1/2 inch, solid chocolate bunnies in either dark or
milk. The eyes are accented in white chocolate.
Approx. weight 3.5 oz
$5.50 each
 Chocolate Eggs
(Dark or Milk)
The milk chocolate egg is filled with our milk chocolate coconut ganache. Â For our vegan bunnies, the dark chocolate egg is filled with our apricot ganache.
Approx. weight 1.6 oz
$4.00 each
 Giant Carrots
(Dark or Milk)
7 inch solid chocolate carrots in either dark or milk with hand-painted white chocolate accents.
Approx. weight 2.2 oz
$4.00 each
 Bunny Lollies
(Dark or Milk)
5 inch solid chocolate bunnies on a convenient stick.
Approx. weight 1.9 oz
$3.00 each
To place an order, please call us at 231-326-3030 or send us an e-mail at mimi@grocersdaughter.com
This Month's Recipe from Mimi
Decadent Chocolate Tort with zest this cake is very chocolaty…. and yes, it only bakes for 18 minutes. The cake is moist and fudge like and very delicious and serves many- you will cut thin pieces!
Heat the oven to 425 degree F
Butter a layer cake pan and cut a circle of parchment paper to fit the bottom.1 lb chocolate/scant 3 cups coarsely chopped  (55 % to 65% cocoa content)
150 g or 1 stick plus 2 tablespoons of butter
4 eggs (large)
1 Tablespoon of sugar
Zest (very finely grated) of one small or 1/2 large orange or one lemon (preferably organic)
1 Tablespoon of flour (unbleached white)
Place  the chocolate and butter in a heat- proof bowl over simmering water to melt completely.
Stir intermittently to combine. Remove from heat to cool slightly.
Place eggs and sugar in a large bowl and beat with mixer on high until volume has tripled in 5 to 10 minutes.
Reduce mixer to low and add zest, mix another 5 seconds and add flour.
Fold 1/3 of the egg mixture into chocolate mass and stir to combine. Using a large rubber spatula, fold in the rest of egg mixture carefully, taking care not to deflate the mass.
Pour into the cake pan and smooth the top. Bake for 18 minutes in the middle of your oven. Remove pan and let cool completely on a rack. If necessary run a knife around the edge of cake. Peel off the parchment paper. Transfer  the cake upside down to cake platter. Do not move this cake again.
Topping: Sprinkle powdered sugar over the cake through a sieve or make a ganache topping (see recipe below). You can serve a raspberry sauce and/or whipped cream with this decadent dessert.
Ganache topping:
1/2 cup of heavy cream
1 cup of 55% to 65% good quality dark chocolate, chopped.
Heat the cream to a simmer in a small very clean pot. Remove from heat and add the chocolate. Place a lid on pot and let sit for 1 or 2 minutes. Stir the chocolate ganache until smooth texture and pour over cake using a metal spatula to distribute. Â Alternately you can flavor this ganache with a table spoon of zest.
Enjoy!
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February 21, 2010 – 3:48 pm
Chocolate is the traditional gift given on February 14th.
We've created a luscious delightful array of wonderful flavors that will please you, your loved ones or someone you think deserves your special attention!
Our Red Heart Box contains two Raspberry Heart Truffles, two Orange (with a hint of Grand Marnier) Truffles, two Cherry Truffles, two Pomegranate Truffles, one Apricot bon bon (vegan) and two Sea Salt Caramels.
$25
A beautiful six piece box wrapped in a ribbon of handwoven all natural Sinamy fiber offers two Raspberry Heart Truffles, two Orange Truffles, and two Sea Salt Caramels.
$11.50
Two Hearts Back-to-Back – 65% dark chocolate drizzled with organic raspberry.
$4
Apricot Heart – A substantial truffle (equal to the weight of 2 1/2 regular truffles) created with 65% dark chocolate filled with organic apricot and orange zest (vegan).
$3
To order one of the items above, call us at 231-326-3030.
Thank you~
Mimi
P.S. If your sweetie swoons for one of our traditional treats, they're all available on our website.
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January 18, 2010 – 6:51 pm
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Happy New Year to friends of Grocer's Daughter Chocolate!
Leelanau Peninsula is covered in a big blanket of snow and now and then the sun peaks out to showcase the beauty of the dunes and the great lake in Empire. The small crew at Grocer's Daughter Chocolate are embracing a new decade and year with excitement to create new flavors to your palate. A new year brings hopes and intentions of healthier eating.
We entice you to try our chocolate-fruit creations
We dipped some our favorite dried fruits in deep, dark, flavorful chocolate. Â The box we offer contains figs, ginger slices, cherries, apricots and orange peel.
We've sourced the best tasting fruit we could find and the cherries, apricots and oranges are organically grown. We've peeled and sliced and dipped to give you these fine flavors.
Approximate weight 14-15 oz
$20.00
To order, please call us at 231-326-3030.
Chocolate fondue for 6 to 8 people who love chocolate
- 10 oz of dark chocolate* (55%-65%), coarsely chopped
- 10 oz heavy cream, 1/2 and 1/2 or coconut milk (a liquid)
- One or two Tablespoons of orange liquor or other favorite spirits
Heat cream to simmer, add chocolate and spirits. Â Add chocolate, cover- let sit 2 to 3 minutes and whisk together. Â Transfer to a fondue pot or a pretty bowl. Serve!
Choose a few dippables:
- Biscotti or pound cakes (cubed)
- Pretzels
- Cubed bananas
- Strawberries (cleaned)
- Freshly cubed pineapples
- Orange sections
Use fondue forks, bamboo skewers or seafood forks, as utensils, for dipping. Provide each participant with a small plate to catch the drippings.
If the chocolate seems too thick, add a little extra liquid. Â If the fondue hardens to quickly, re-heat over simmering water or if using glass/other in microwave one minute 40% power.
* We're offering a special deal for all you home chocolatiers. Call us to order a 2lb 4oz block of el Ray chocolate for just $22.
We ship chocolate nationwide and our store is open 5-days a week for your visit.
Stop in and enjoy a steaming cup of our "Dragon's Breath" hot chocolate – a variation in which we add chili and cinnamon for a real antidote to the cold of the wintery weather
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December 28, 2009 – 2:28 pm
 In early January, Valentine Vodka will release its elegant 750ml bottle with an individually-wrapped piece of artisan chocolate. Hand-crafted by Mimi Wheeler of Grocer’s Daughter, the gourmet heart-shaped chocolate was developed specifically to pair with the smooth taste of Valentine Vodka. This special Valentine Vodka package will sell for $29.99 at retail outlets around the state of Michigan.
As Detroit’s first micro distilled spirit since Prohibition, Valentine Vodka is well on its way to setting the standard for ultra-premium hand-crafted vodka with its clean, crisp and uniquely flavorful taste. As one of the first distilleries in the world to use a multi-grain recipe, Valentine Vodka proudly utilizes a blend of red Michigan wheat, two-row malted barley and corn, which all come directly from Michigan farmers and suppliers.
Read more at Promote Michigan!
December 22, 2009 – 11:07 am
We are available to take your order 7 days a week from 10-5 p.m. at 231-326-3030. Or, shop anytime at our website grocersdaughter.com
For Christmas delivery, please place all orders by December 19. Packages are sent USPS priority mail for a standard $8.50.
Holiday Gift Features . . .
Emperial Box
Our chocolate colored box showcases some of our most revered chocolates: A box of 16 eclectic truffles/caramels/bonbons (two of each: cherry, maya, basil, cardamom, gianduja, espresso/nutty/sea salt caramel); a Wally, Blue, and Elara Bar; a bag of chocolate hazelnuts; one each of the dark and milk zen bars. As a bonus, we include a beautiful poem about Empire by our poet friend Anne Marie Oomen.
$60.00
Mimi's Medley Box
Mimi has picked an affordable box to ship in quantity to several of your friends, family members or co- workers. This craft box contains: Two caramels or truffles, a Wally Bar and a Honey Caramel Turtle.
$17.00
*if ordering six or more boxes, we are able to offer them for $15/piece. Please call for arrangements.
Chocolate-of-the Month Club
That special someone will sing your praises for months to come. We ship a monthly box of your choice of chocolate. The box contains a minimum of $25 worth of chocolate and will always include truffles or caramels along with other delicious products. Shipping included: 3 months – $100; 6 months – $200; 12 months – $ 400.
Call or e-mail us for the details!
Hot Chocolate
It's finally here! We've packaged the very same mix we use to make the hot/cold chocolate you’ve come to enjoy at our home store. One bag provides enough chocolate mix for 6 full-body cups of hot/cold chocolate. Directions are included.
$12.00
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November 17, 2009 – 10:43 pm
 There was hot chocolate and chocolate cake for everyone! Sunday November 1, 2009, we celebrated five years of Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate. All day long we enjoyed a steady stream of visiting friends. Mimi created two outstanding three-layer chocolate cakes with chocolate ganache frosting: One filled with apricot preserves the other raspberry. But it was the hot chocolate that caught all of the raves. When evening moved in, hors d’oeuvres topped our work space and the wine was poured. Our Empire home filled with terrific live music and conversation. It was such a wonderful day! A special thank you goes to everyone who was able to stop in and offer their congratulations. Of course not all of our fans were able to visit; we would still love to hear from you. Please share with us your favorite Grocer’s Daughter memory or photo of you enjoying our chocolate. Post your creative submissions on our facebook page and accept votes for a favorite. The winner will earn a chocolate prize. Please post your entries by November 30 and invite your friends to vote.
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