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.

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!

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!

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.  Alternately you can flavor this ganache with a table spoon of zest.

Enjoy!