[1] The best Halloween chocolate for the connoisseur (all photos © The Cordial Cherry).

[2] Invite these Pilgrims for Thanksgiving.

[3] Plenty of pumpkins.

[5] Flowers are always in order. This is the fall bouquet.

[6] For chocolate-loving football fans.

[7] Gingerbread men, one of the many holiday designs.

It was a happy day when we learned about The Cordial Cherry, an artisan chocolatier based in Omaha, Nebraska. For lovers of food-as-art, these are handcrafted, bite-size chocolate sculptures that happen to be filled with your choice of cordial cherries or chocolate truffles (i.e., ganache).

They are our Top Pick Of The Week, and we’ll extend that week into Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

If the words exquisite and delicious could be rolled into a portmanteau, it would be exquisilicious!

While one’s first reaction might be, “these are too lovely to eat,” one will soon give give way to temptation and eat one’s first bite. And then another, and another.

(Which is why a great gift would be the monthly subscription, but even if you begin with just a box of four pieces, it’s a memorable treat.)

We sent them for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, and now for the biggest candy day of the year, Halloween.

And as an aside, the men in our family don’t care if it’s a flower or a pumpkin; they just want great chocolate. In fact, our brother distracted us so he could scoop up the butterflies and teacups.
 
 
OUTSTANDING EDIBLE ART

This unique and delightful fusion of visual artistry and gourmet flavors makes The Cordial Cherry a must-try in the world of specialty chocolates.​

Each cherry or ganache center is enveloped in a rich chocolate shell—available in dark, milk, or white chocolate—and filled with a luscious center.

What sets these chocolates apart is their intricate, hand-crafted without the use of molds, and then hand-decorated​. Each piece is a miniature work of art.

There are dozens of choices and always new designs forthcoming, from seasonal and holiday motifs to year-round baby rattles, birthday “cupcakes,” and the entire wedding party!

For further gifting cred, the chocolates are packaged in a toile* (pronounced twal) gift box (a keeper!) and tied with natural twine and fresh greenery.

Note that the stems are removed from the cherries to prevent syrup from leaking out during shipping. The sculptures hardly need a stem in the way; and even if you choose the traditional round chocolate-covered cherries, you won’t miss it.
 
 
THE FALL MENU

For Fall, the chocolate artists have created premier cordial cherries and melt-in-your-mouth chocolate ganache truffles in the shapes of:

 
The 13 Christmas chocolates are now on the website as well, ready to amaze the chocolate lovers on your holiday list.
 
 
ORDER YOURS TODAY

Head to The Cordial Cherry now, and let your eyes feast upon the offerings.

You are very likely become a repeat customer—almost immediately.

The Cordial Cherry stands out in the world of artisanal confections that the eye and palate will long remember.

> The history of chocolate.

> The different types of chocolate: a photo glossary.

> The year’s 69 chocolate holidays.

> The history of cordial cherries/cherry cordials/chocolate-covered cherries.

> The history of cherries.

> The year’s 15+ cherry holidays.

> A recipe to make your own chocolate-covered cherries.

[8] With the scarecrows in the pumpkin patch.

[10] The Nativity in deliciously-filled chocolates.
 
 
THE HISTORY OF MOTHER’S DAY

Editor’s Note: We had originally hoped to publish this review for Mother’s Day. We’re doing so now anyway, but hasten to share with you:

 
The first significant mention of a “mother’s day” occurred in 1870. Julia Ward Howe, the American author, poet, abolitionist, suffragist, and lyricist of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” wrote a “Mother’s Day Proclamation,” calling for mothers to unite for peace following the Civil War.

She proposed a “Mother’s Day for Peace” but her idea didn’t gain traction.

After the death of her own mother in 1905, Anna Jarvis led the movement to found a Mother’s Day honoring mothers. Her mother had frequently expressed a desire to establish such a holiday.

After her mother’s death in 1905, Jarvis campaigned for a national day, and the first official Mother’s Day service was held in May 1908 in Grafton, West Virginia, at a church where her mother had taught.

Jarvis chose the white carnation as the symbol of the day, representing purity and endurance of motherly love.

In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation designating the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day, for families to honor and express love to mothers.

Anna Jarvis later became disillusioned with how commercialized the holiday became and spent much of her later life and inheritance fighting what she saw as misuse of the holiday by greeting card companies, florists, and other merchants who capitalized on the sentiment.

She was particularly upset about pre-printed greeting cards, which she felt represented a lack of genuine sentiment.

Today, Mother’s Day is celebrated in various forms across more than 50 countries, though not always on the same date.

While Christmas is the most commercialized holiday, in the U.S. Valentine’s Day and Halloween typically compete with Mother’s Day for the second spot.

Father’s Day did not enter the mainstream as quickly. The first official Father’s Day celebration was held on June 19, 1910, in Spokane, Washington, but it remained a local event. In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge recommended Father’s Day as a national holiday, but it took until 1966 for President Lyndon B. Johnson to issue the first presidential proclamation honoring fathers.

In 1972, President Richard Nixon finally signed a law making Father’s Day a permanent national holiday, although Father’s Day was widely observed for decades (thanks to the commercial interests) before it became official.
 
________________
 
*A toile pattern, short for toile de Jouy (pronounced twal duh zhwee, meaning cloth of Jouy), is a type of decorative, one-color design printed on a light background, typically depicting complex pastoral scenes, floral motifs, or narrative themes. It originated in the French town of Jouy-en-Josas in the 1760s, when Christophe-Philippe Oberkampf established a factory there. The design was first made into fine cotton fabrics and later, wallpaper. Although the printing technique had roots Ireland, Oberkampf’s chic and sophisticated designs made the fabric famous and in-demand in elegant homes throughout Europe and North America. Style-setters Madame de Pompadour and Marie Antoinette were fans. Here’s more about it.
 
 

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We’re honoring National Chocolate Chip Day, May 15th, by baking this fun and fabulous Pizookie® recipe.

Pizookie is a dessert that consists of a freshly-baked cookie usually baked and served in an iron skillet, typically topped with ice cream.

> The history of the Pizookie is below.

> The history of the chocolate chip cookie.

> 20+ foods made with chocolate chips are below

> The year’s 6+ chocolate chip holidays are also below.

> The year’s 44 cookie holidays.

> A Pizookie cousin: Red Velvet Pizookie Cookie recipe with white chocolate chips.
 
 
RECIPE: CHOCOLATE CHIP PIZOOKIE

Prep is 15 minutes and bake time is 35 minutes. Thanks to James Schend of Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin who submitted the recipe to Taste Of Home Test Kitchen, which shared it with us.

“Whether you’re looking to whip up something new for a party or just want to impress your family with a larger-than-life, ultra-shareable cookie, this pizookie recipe is for you,” they say.

Be sure the eggs are at room temperature before adding them. They mix into the batter more easily, and also make the dough rise more.

If you forgot to take the eggs from the fridge, put them in a bowl of warm water for 10 to 15 minutes.
 
Ingredients

 
Preparation

1. PREHEAT the oven to 350°F. In a 12-inch cast-iron skillet, melt the butter in the oven as it preheats.

2. COMBINE the sugars in a large bowl. When the butter is almost melted, remove the skillet from the oven, swirl it until the butter is completely melted, and stir the melted butter into the sugar mixture. Set the skillet aside.

Bakking note: The butter and sugar are not creamed like they would be for a regular cookie, because melted butter creates a chewier, denser texture for the Pizookie and a better surface for the toppings.

3. BEAT the eggs and vanilla into the sugar mixture. In another bowl…

4. WHISK the flour, baking soda, and salt together. Gradually beat the dry ingredients into the sugar mixture.

5. STIR in the chocolate chips and nuts. If using fresh raspberries, gently fold them in. Spread the mixture into the buttered skillet.

6. BAKE until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs, about 35 to 40 minutes.

Be careful not to overbake or you’ll have one tough cookkie!

It’s better to underbake than overbake, as the heat from the skillet will continue to bake the cookie when it’s removed from the oven. Plus, says Mr. Schend, you can’t go wrong with a molten, gooey center.

7. SERVE warm, top with vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce, hot fudge or extra chocolate chips. If you’re cutting back on the calories, substitute fresh raspberries or strawberries (we’re joking about the calories, but fresh berries are a great garnish especially for those who don’t want the extra sweetness of a dessert sauce).
 
For A Smaller Pizookie

You can make individual Pizookies cookie in six-inch cast-iron skillets (the size typically used at BJ’s, and two people can split it).

Just brush four skillets with melted butter before adding the dough. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes.

Bake one small Pizookie a day. Just don’t be tempted to eat it unbaked!
 
 
THE HISTORY OF THE PIZOOKIE

Pizookie, a portmanteau of “pizza” and “cookie,” was created by the restaurant chain BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse in the early 1990s, though similar desserts existed before then.

The original concept was simple: Take cookie dough, bake it in a pizza pan until it’s slightly underdone (crispy on the outside, soft and gooey on the inside), and serve it hot from the oven with ice cream on top.

The contrast between the warm, soft cookie and the cold, melting ice cream created an instant hit. BJ’s trademarked the term Pizookie® and it became their signature dessert.
 
 
The Flavors Of Pizookie

Recognizing that you can’t have too much of a good thing, BJ’s expanded to other flavors. You can currently order:

 
If you can’t decide where to start, there’s the Pizookie Trio.

And, there are occasional “specials.”
 
Pizookie Specials

 
What more could you ask for?

Well, you can suggest new Pizookie flavors. Reach out to BJ’s Restaurants through their social media channels or their feedback forms and customer service channels on their website.

Additionally, you can join BJ’s Premier Rewards PLUS program, suggest flavors there, and get a free Pizookie upon joining, on your birthday, and points toward free food and drink. Head to the website and scroll down. It’s free.
 
 
Imitation Is The Sincerest Form Of Flattery

Today, many restaurants offer their own versions of the Pizookie (using other names due to BJ’s trademark).

Home cooks have created their own versions, often using cast iron skillets to get the crispy edges.

[12] The original: BJ’s Chocolate Chunk Pizookie (photos #8, #9, #10., #11, and #12 © BJ’s Restaurants).

 
 
THE TOP 30+ FOODS MADE WITH CHOCOLATE CHIPS

In alphabetical order:

 
And we must give props to the chocolate chip’s siblings: butterscotch chips, caramel chips, cinnamon chips, mint chips, peanut butter chips, and white chocolate chips.
 
 
THE YEAR’S 6+ CHOCOLATE CHIP HOLIDAYS

 
Holidays That Can Use Flavored Chips

[1] A classic Pizookie. Here’s the recipe (photo © What’s Gaby Cooking).

[2] Chocolate Pizookie. Here’s the recipe (photo © Art Of Palate).

[3] Red Velvet Pizookie. Here’s the recipe (photo © Dessert Now Dinner Later).

[4] Skillet Monster Pizookie with M&Ms. Here’s the recipe (photo © Chelsea’s Messy Apron).

[5] Cookies & Cream Pizookie. Here’s the recipe (photo © Ellen And Pear).

[6] Air Fryer Pizookie. Here’s the recipe (photo © Tasty Air Fryer Recipes).

[7] Gluten Free Pizookie. Here’s the recipe (photo © Gluten Free On A Shoestring).

[8] BJ’s Dill Pickle Pizookie (photo © BJ’s Restaurants).

[9] BJ’s Salted Caramel Pizookie.

[10] BJ’s Broccoli Cheddar Pizookie a la mode with mashed potatoes.

[11] BJ’s Snickers Pizookie.

CHECK OUT WHAT’S HAPPENING ON OUR HOME PAGE, THENIBBLE.COM.

[1] A birthday toast (photos #1 and #2 © Thatcher’s Organic).

[2] Thatcher’s Organic is a gluten-free vodka, made from corn instead of wheat.

[3] We used edible glitter instead of rainbow sprinkles, but you can use either or both (photo Gemini).

[4] It’s easy to buy a loaf of pound cake (photo © Incredible Egg).

[5] Amaretto for the cocktail as well as the optional cake glaze (photo © Disaronno).

[6] Happy 100th birthday!

The woman who inspired The Nibble has a 100th birthday today.

But you don’t have to turn 100 to enjoy this birthday cocktail.

Thanks to Thatcher’s Organic for turning the classic birthday cake into a vodka cocktail recipe.

If you’re looking for a gluten-free vodka, Thatcher’s is both gluten-free and made from organic corn. There’s more about the distillery below.

Yes, you can serve cake on the side. With the complex layering of spirits, we’d recommend slices of pound cake cake, un-iced or with an amaretto glaze (recipe below).

You can buy a loaf pound cake (photo #4) or bake a bundt.

The recipe follows, but first:

> The year’s 10+ vodka holidays are below.

> The history of birthday cake is below.

> The year’s 100+ cocktail and spirit holidays.

> The history of vodka.
 
 
RECIPE #1: BIRTHDAY CAKE COCKTAIL

We are a big fan of Baileys Irish Cream (actually, any Irish cream liqueur), so we made a version substituting it for the white chocolate liqueur as we didn’t have any of the latter. Baileys is a great substitute.

This cocktail is layered with flavors, but if you don’t like any (e.g. amaretto, coconut cream), substitute what you wish. For example, you can substitute heavy cream for coconut cream, and other liqueur for amaretto—or just use more of the chocolate liqueurs.
 
Ingredients Per Drink

 
Plus

 
Preparation

1. PREPARE the glasses. Dip the rim of a martini glass in a saucer of water and then twist it in a saucer or plate of sprinkles. Set aside.

2. ADD the vodka, chocolate liqueur, coconut cream, creme de cacao, and amaretto to a cocktail shaker with ice, and shake vigorously.

3. STRAIN the mixture into Martini glass. Garnish with the whipped cream, sprinkles, and cherry.
 
 
RECIPE #2: AMARETTO GLAZE

The cocktail is rich enough, but we made this optional amaretto glaze for the pound cake or bundt (of course, a bundt can also be a pound cake).
 
Ingredients

 
Preparation

1. MELT the butter and add the sugar.

2. REMOVE from the heat and stir in the amaretto, vanilla, water, and salt.

3. RETURN the pot to the stove on medium heat and boil about 3-4 minutes to reduce. Let cool somewhat, then glaze the cake.
 
 
THE YEAR’S 10+ VODKA & VODKA COCKTAIL HOLIDAYS

 
Plus For Martini Fans

 
For Vodka Cranberry (Cape Codder)Fans

 
For White Russian Fans

The earliest birthday cake celebrations trace back to ancient Greece, where people baked moon-shaped cakes to offer to Artemis, the goddess of the moon. They added candles to make the cakes glow like the moon.

Ancient Romans also celebrated birthdays with cakes, although these were typically flat rounds made with flour, nuts, yeast, and honey, but they didn’t use candles or consider the cakes as offerings to Artemis (the Roman Diana) or any other god.

In fact, the Romans initially celebrated birthdays just for men; women and children came later.

The modern birthday cake began taking shape in medieval Germany with Kinderfeste (children’s festival or children’s party), a birthday celebration for kids. Germans created single-layer cakes sweetened with sugar, which was becoming more available, although still expensive (honey was the more affordable choice).

These cakes were homemade, but by the 15th century, bakeries in Germany began selling one-layer birthday cakes.

Our modern birthday cake tradition evolved in the 18th and 19th centuries, as sugar and other ingredients like chocolate became more affordable and the Industrial Revolution made refined sugar, flour, and baking tools accessible to ordinary families.

This enabled the creation of elaborate, multi-layered frosted cakes to become the norm for most people, rather than a luxury only the wealthy could afford.

The tradition of singing “Happy Birthday” while presenting the cake emerged in the late 1800s, and blowing out candles while making a wish became standardized in the early 20th century.

Instead of the ancient symbolic use of candles to offer light to the gods, they transformed into a personal ritual of wish-making.

Today, birthday cakes are a nearly universal celebration, with countless cultural variations from tres leches cake in Latin America to mooncakes in Chinese celebrations.

(Information Claude.ai)
 
 
ABOUT THATCHER’S ORGANIC

Thatcher’s Organic Artisan Spirits is a craft spirits brand that focuses on organic, sustainable production. It’s products are Certified Organic, Non-GMO, gluten-free, and free of high-fructose corn syrup and artificial preservatives.

The company was founded in 2009 to focus on all-natural artisan spirits made by hand using sustainably farmed ingredients for a better environment.

Thatcher’s Organic Small Batch Vodka, which has an especially crisp and fresh flavor, is crafted from premium organic corn.

Liqueurs include Blood Orange, Cucumber, Elderflower, Hibiscus, Mango, Peach, Prickly Pear and Watermelon.

Treat yourself, and give them as gifts.
 
 

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