Tagged with 'colourmill'

We invite you to join us at a sugar-coated paradise; The 2024 SoFlo Cake & Candy Expo! 

As this sweet expo enters its eighth year, the SoFlo Cake & Candy Expo has firmly established itself as the sweet centerpiece of South Florida's baking & confectionery scene. Whether you're a seasoned baking professional, an enthusiastic hobbyist, or someone with a sweet tooth looking to explore a new world of flavors & techniques, the SoFlo Cake & Candy Expo promises an unforgettable experience!

At the heart of the SoFlo Cake & Candy Expo you'll find a vendor hall, jam-packed with the sweetest suppliers & exhibitors in the industry!! From classic baking essentials to cutting-edge tools & innovations, you’re sure to find everything you need to elevate your baking game. Don’t miss your chance to shop your favorite online retailers in person!

In fact, you can even shop Sweet Shoppe & Eleven o’one at these booths: 

Sweet Life Cake & Candy Supply (Booth #600)
 The Dessert Depot (Booth #305) 

But SoFlo isn't just an opportunity to shop your favorite brands—it's also a celebration of learning & creativity! Check out the long list of classes & workshops led by some of the most talented sugar artists & bakers in the business! SoFlo offers classes from beginner level to advanced, so get ready to roll up your sleeves, get hands-on, & discover the secrets behind stunning cake designs & mouthwatering candy creations! 

We are proud to partner with SoFlo Cake & Candy Expo as the official chocolate sponsor for classes! With our Sweet Shoppe & Eleven o'one lines featured in classrooms & VIP swag bags, attendees will have the opportunity to experience our most popular brands firsthand.

Plus, Stover’s very own pastry chef, Daniela, will be teaching an advanced cakepop class featuring Sweet Shoppe Melting Wafers! In this class, students will learn how to create My Little Pony Sculpted Cakepops! 

Check out the full list of classes offered at SoFlo Cake & Candy Expo HERE!

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE! 

Alicia will also be hosting a demonstration on the Do’s & Don'ts of Melting Chocolate. You won’t want to miss this live demo where you can ask all of your questions; register for our product demo HERE!

Keep an eye out for Stover & Company's products in action at various booths throughout the expo! From Daisy Makes (aka Sweet Team Member: Daisy Pops!) to Poppy Color, My Little Cake Pop & Yum Crumbs, you'll have plenty of opportunities to see our Sweet Shoppe & Eleven o’one Deluxe Wafers shine in the hands of talented artists!

Whether you participate or just browse the contestants, you won’t want to miss the SoFlo Competition Room! This year’s theme is the ocean & we cannot wait to see the amazing creative treats that contestants will submit! 

Want to try your hand at it? Register for this year’s SoFlo Competition HERE!

SoFlo offers the opportunity to connect with your favorite social media personalities, like Liz Marek from Sugar Geek Show & Liz Adams from Arty McGoo, immerse yourself in a world of creativity, & indulge your senses in a sweet weekend like no other! 

Mark your calendars, gather your fellow baking enthusiasts, purchase your tickets & get ready for an unforgettable weekend in MIA as you visit your favorite corner of social media - IRL!

We can't wait to see you at the 2024 SoFlo Cake & Candy Expo! Stover CEO Ryan, Alicia & Daniela will all be in attendance! We love getting to meet & chat with our customers, so be sure to stop us to say hello! 

Coloring compound coatings can be a fun & creative way to add visual appeal to your sweet creations. Whether you're a professional baker or an avid home treat maker, working with compound coatings, such as our Sweet Shoppe line, allows you to experiment with different colors & designs for your homemade treats. 

Achieving the desired colored chocolate results requires a certain level of knowledge & skill. Let’s explore the top mistakes that you’ll want to avoid when coloring compound coatings. 

1. DO NOT use Water-Based Food Coloring:
   
   The most common mistake when coloring compound coatings is using a water-based food coloring. Compound coatings are typically made with fat-based ingredients so water-based, or gel-based, food colorings can disrupt the texture & consistency of the coating. Be sure to purchase an oil-based or powdered food coloring specifically formulated for use with compound coatings & chocolate. Oil-based coloring agents (sometimes called Candy Colors) blend seamlessly with the fats in the compound coating, resulting in a smooth & glossy finish.
   
   Sweet Shoppe x Chocolate Chameleon Candy Colors & Colourmill are two of our favorite brands of oil-based candy colors!
   
   
2. Be Sure to Shake Coloring Well:
   
   It is particularly important to shake your oil-based candy colors well before use. These types of coloring agents often contain separate layers of pigments & oil. The pigments often settle to the bottom of the bottle over time, while the oil rises to the top. By shaking the bottle vigorously, you effectively blend the two components, creating a homogeneous color mixture that will allow you to create the vivid chocolate & candy colors that you desire.
   
   
3. DO NOT Overheat Your Compound Coating:
   
   

   Because compound coatings are made of sugar & oil, they are delicate & sensitive to heat. Overheating your compound coatings can cause them to become lumpy & thick, or even burn. It's essential that you melt the compound coating slowly & gently to distribute the heat evenly. Avoid overheating your chocolate compound by using a thermometer to monitor the temperature & never exceeding the recommended melting temperature specified by the manufacturer; we like to keep ours below 90ºF.  By maintaining proper heat control, you'll preserve the quality & texture of your compound coating, resulting in better color absorption.
   
   Check out this video or this blog post on how we recommend melting our Sweet Shoppe Compound Coatings!
   
   

4. Always Test Colors:

   Before applying the candy coloring to your compound chocolate, we always recommend that you test the color on a small sample of compound. This step is especially important when working with new or unfamiliar coloring or when trying to achieve a very specific color. Apply a small amount of the coloring to a small amount of compound chocolate. Once well blended, add a small drop of colored coating onto a piece of parchment paper or a spare cookie to let it set. This allows you to evaluate the color accuracy & make any necessary adjustments before you begin a large treat order. Keep in mind that some candy colors may deepen or change slightly as the compound coating sets, so it's better to err on the side of caution & start with a lighter shade since you can always add more. Pink & purple are the most susceptible to fade with sun & UV light, so keep this in mind when deciding how deep you want your colors to be. 
   
   * PRO TIP: Colourmill’s line of candy coloring is made with a UV protectant formula to help your colors last longer! 

    

    

By avoiding these mistakes you'll be well on your way to achieving vibrant, colorful, professional-looking sweets with an enhanced presentation. 

So, grab some oil based candy colors & unleash your inner artist!

We have very knowledgeable culinary staff at Stover & Company. If you ever have any questions about coloring compound coatings, chocolate or any other product support inquiries, don’t hesitate to contact us at info@stovercompany.com. 

Did you know that water based coloring can seize your chocolate? That’s why it’s important to understand the difference between candy coloring & gel coloring. Candy coloring & gel coloring are specifically formulated to easily bind with their respective foods while retaining ultimate vibrancy. If you use the incorrect coloring, things may go south quickly!  

You may have heard of the expression “oil and water” to express the idea that some media won’t mix. This metaphor is aptly applied to situations in which ingredients or companies won’t mix, and it is rooted in reality - oil and water do not mix.