Tagged with 'compound coatings'

St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner, & what better way to celebrate the delightful holiday than with an easy-to-make holiday treat? Say hello to our Shamrock Pretzel Sticks, a charming combination of crunchy pretzels & sweet melting wafers that not only captures the essence of the holiday but these treats also make for a visually stunning addition to your St. Patrick's Day festivities!

Follow along with Alicia in this video with this easy to follow St. Patrick's Day recipe!

Ingredients:

• Sweet Shoppe Forest Green Melting Wafers
• Sweet Shoppe Spring Green Melting Wafers
• Pretzels

Tools:

• Plastic/Silicone bowl
• Spatula
• Parchment paper
• Cakepop sticks

Instructions:

1. Create the Shamrock Shape:
   Begin by grabbing three pretzels & arranging them in the shape of a shamrock. One on top & one on each side. Feeling lucky? Add a fourth pretzel!
2. Melt your Sweet Shoppe Spring Green Melting Wafers:
   Follow the melting instructions provided for the Sweet Shoppe Spring Green Melting Wafers.
3. Create your Shamrock Shape:
   Once your melting wafers are melted down to a smooth consistency, dip just the sides of one of your pretzels & attach it to the other two pretzels to form a shamrock shape. Add a bit of melting wafers to the edges for extra support. Dip a cake pop stick into the melted wafers & lay it flat on top of the pretzels. Allow it to dry, securing the shamrock onto the stick.
4. Coat with Melting Wafers:
   Once dry, dip the shamrock pretzel into your melted Sweet Shoppe Spring Green Melting Wafers, tapping off any excess. Lay it flat on parchment paper or place in a cakepop stand to dry.
5. Create a Marble Effect:
   Melt your Sweet Shoppe Forest Green Melting Wafers & add melting coating to a piping bag. Drizzle the Sweet Shoppe Forest Green over your melted Sweet Shoppe Spring Green. Dip your shamrock pretzel into the coating ensuring a smooth, consistent coating. Gently rotate the cakepop stick from side to side as you remove your treat to create a beautiful marble finish.
6. Let Them Shine:
   Allow your Shamrock Pretzel Sticks to dry completely. Once set, they are ready to steal the show at your St. Patrick's Day celebration.

Will you be making this festive St. Patrick’s Day treat? We’d love to see what you create! Tag us on social or share your images in our Facebook Community group: Stover’s Confection Connection!

May your St. Patrick’s Day celebrations be filled with luck & deliciously green treats!

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, & what better way to celebrate the season of love than by creating delicious, chocolatey treats? 

At Stover & Company, we take pride in our Sweet Shoppe line, known for its high-quality compound coatings that are perfect for elevating your Valentine's Day  creations. Whether you prefer traditional hues like Milk & Dark or playful colors like Cardinal Red & Rose Pink our Sweet Shoppe Compound Coatings have got you covered.

Our Sweet Shoppe Compound Coatings come in Ultra White, White, Milk, Dark, & eight vibrant colors.  Whether you're sticking to classic reds & pinks or exploring an eclectic color palette, the possibilities are endless. 

 Let's explore some of the exciting options available:

Cardinal Red: A deep, romantic red that adds a touch of passion to your treats.
Rose Pink: A delicate pink that exudes sweetness & charm.
Lotus Pink: A vibrant pink that captures modern love.
Sunshine Yellow: Bring a burst of sunshine to your treats with this cheerful yellow.
Sunset Orange: Add warmth & energy with this rich, sunset-inspired orange.
Spring Green: Embrace the freshness of spring with this lively green shade.
Forest Green: A deep, forest-inspired green for a touch of nature in your creations.
Sky Blue: Create a dreamy atmosphere with this serene blue shade.

Why Choose Sweet Shoppe Compound Coatings?

1. Quality Assurance: Stover & Company is renowned for delivering high-quality products, & our Sweet Shoppe line is no exception. Expect nothing but the best for your Valentine's Day treats.

2. Versatility: Whether you're a seasoned chocolatier or a home baker, our compound coatings are easy to work with, making them perfect for a wide range of treats such as dipped strawberries, truffles, & more.

3. Flavorful Experience: The Sweet Shoppe Compound Coatings not only provide a beautiful color palette but also infuse your treats with a decadent vanilla or chocolate flavor that will leave your taste buds craving more.

Don't Wait – Order Now!

You asked for them, we listened. Our beloved Sweet Shoppe Coating Wafers are now available in SEVEN vibrant colors, each designed to take your treats to new heights!

Color Your World with Deliciously Vibrant Chocolate
Available for purchase starting August 16th, this new collection features a wide range of hues to help you unlock a world of color.  

Rose Pink: Playful & charming, this pale pink shade is perfect for celebrating life's sweetest moments.

Sunset Orange: Capture the radiance of a sunset with this lively orange, guaranteed to make your treats pop.

Cardinal Red: A bright red hue perfect for holiday creations & paying homage to your favorite sports team.

Sunshine Yellow: Make everyday brighter when you add sunshine yellow to your sweet treats. 

Spring Green: Sparking feelings of freshness & vitality, this calm shade is ideal for desserts that call for a soft touch of nature.

Forest Green: Add a touch of elegance & sophistication to your confections with this rich & regal shade of Forest Green. 

Sky Blue: Dive into the depths of creativity with this calming Sky Blue, reminiscent of the sky above. 

At Stover & Company, we understand the importance of maintaining the consistent quality that our customers have come to love. That's why our Sweet Shoppe Colored Coating Wafers are based on the original Sweet Shoppe Ultra White formula. By using this trusted formula, we ensure that not only will your treats dazzle with color, they will also have the same creamy texture & irresistible taste that you've come to expect from our Sweet Shoppe brand.

Create Colorful Creations with Compound Coating Wafers
With our Sweet Shoppe Colored Coating Wafers, the possibilities are truly endless. Whether you're a professional baker, a home baker, or simply someone who loves to treat their loved ones to something special, our colored compound wafers will allow you to transform your radiant ideas into reality.

Create captivating cake pops that mirror the colors of the rainbow. Craft candies that are as beautiful as they are delicious. Dip fruits into an array of hues, turning ordinary snacks into extraordinary delights. Purchase our Color Lovers Bundle for the perfect sampling of this collection! 

For just, $22.00, our Color Lovers Bundle includes: 
1 lb Cardinal Red
1 lb Sunset Orange
1 lb Sunshine Yellow
1 lb Spring Green
1 lb Sky Blue 

Looking for custom colors?

Our Sweet Shoppe Coating Wafers paired with Artisan Accent’s Chocolate Chameleon x Sweet Shoppe oil based candy colors will help you achieve a custom shade of your choice! Start with Ultra White for a pure base, or add Artisan Accent’s Chocolate Chameleon oil based colors to one of our colored compounds to create a custom hue. You will use less food coloring when you start with a colored compound coating!

We would love to see what you create on our Facebooks Page, Facebook Group: Confection Connection, Instagram or TikTok so be sure to tag us! 

When it comes to the world of confectionery, compound coatings play a crucial role in creating mouthwatering treats. Today, we’re dipping into a comparison between two American-made compound coatings: Merckens (made by Cargill) vs. our very own Sweet Shoppe.

While both brands have earned recognition by industry leading treat makers, today we will focus on comparing their most loved qualities & how they stack up against each other. 

So, let's embark on this delectable journey!

Texture & Consistency: The texture & consistency of compound coatings will significantly impact the final product you create. Merckens & Sweet Shoppe both excel in this area, ensuring smooth & silky coatings. They both possess a creamy texture, making them easy to melt & work with, allowing for smooth & even coverage. 

Flavor Variety: One of the delightful aspects of compound coatings is the range of flavors they offer. Merckens & Sweet Shoppe both understand the importance of diversity in taste & both brands provide a great selection. Merckens offers a classic assortment, including cocoa lite, cocoa dark, white  & super white. Comparably, Sweet Shoppe Compound Coatings come in Ultra White, White, Milk & Dark. Though the flavors may be similar, our Sweet Shoppe line has a less sweet taste than Merckens. Treat makers love this subtle difference in Sweet Shoppe as it allows their treats & baked goods to shine through the layer of compound coating. 

Melting: Melting compound coatings can be a crucial step in confectionery making. Both Merckens & Sweet Shoppe aim to simplify this process, allowing for a smooth & simple melting experience. Merckens compound coatings melt evenly, ensuring a consistent finish, while Sweet Shoppe Compound Coatings provide a similar melting experience, with a perceived slight advantage in terms of ease & convenience. The best part? No tempering required with either brand! 

Versatility: The versatility of compound coatings is a vital aspect for confectioners & culinary enthusiasts alike. Merckens & Sweet Shoppe both offer coatings that adapt well to various applications. Whether you're dipping fruit, coating cookies, or creating intricate designs, both brands will deliver exceptional results. For over 100 years, Merckens has established itself as a reliable choice for a wide range of applications. We’re so proud to have our very own Sweet Shoppe line competing with an industry leading product such as Merckens. 

Quality & Ingredients: The quality of the ingredients used in compound coatings contributes to the overall taste & satisfaction of the final product. Merckens & Sweet Shoppe both prioritize using high-quality ingredients in their coatings. Merckens has built a reputation for consistency & reliability, while Sweet Shoppe takes pride in sourcing premium quality ingredients, which lends our compound coatings a subtle edge in terms of taste & overall quality.

Price: Comparing the pricing of Merckens & Sweet Shoppe compound coatings reveals a notable advantage for Sweet Shoppe without compromising quality. Sweet Shoppe's pricing is lower compared to Merckens, making it an attractive option for cost-conscious confectioners. Despite the lower price point, Sweet Shoppe maintains an exceptional level of quality, ensuring that you can create delectable treats without breaking the bank. The affordability of Sweet Shoppe compound coatings makes them an excellent choice for both professional bakers & home enthusiasts seeking high-quality products at a more accessible price.

Both brands offer exceptional products that cater to the needs of confectioners & home bakers. Merckens compound coatings boast a reliable & consistent performance, while Sweet Shoppe compound coatings exhibit a slight advantage in terms of finesse, flavor variety & visual appeal. Ultimately, the choice between the two depends on personal preferences & specific application requirements. 

Whichever brand you opt for, rest assured that your confectionery creations will be elevated to new heights of deliciousness. Happy baking!

Welcome to Stover & Company, your ultimate destination for all things chocolate! 

Today, we celebrate World Chocolate Day (July 7th) & invite you to indulge in the rich history, enticing trends, & irresistible offerings that make chocolate one of the world's most beloved treats.

Chocolate History:
The history of chocolate dates back over 3,000 years, to the ancient civilizations of the Mayans & Aztecs who first cultivated the cacao tree. Adored for both its mythical & spiritual qualities, chocolate was often reserved for royalty & used in religious ceremonies. Spanish conquistadors introduced chocolate to Europe, where it quickly gained popularity & evolved over time into the indulgent delight we know & love today.

Chocolate Trends:
Recently, chocolate has experienced an exciting evolution with innovative trends captivating the taste buds of chocolate lovers worldwide! In recent years, chocolatiers have wholeheartedly embraced the bean-to-bar movement, elevating it to new heights of mastery. With meticulous attention to detail, they have honed their skills in sourcing the finest cocoa beans & carefully overseeing every step of the chocolate making process. This dedication has resulted in an unparalleled level of control, allowing chocolatiers to create distinct flavor profiles that showcase the true essence of the beans & captivate chocolate connoisseurs worldwide. 

Stover & Company's Chocolate Collection:
At Stover & Company, we pride ourselves on offering an extensive selection of chocolates to cater to every chocolate lover's desires. From renowned national brands like Callebaut, Clasen, Guittard, Blommer & Cargill to our carefully curated exclusive lines - Sweet Shoppe & Eleven o 'one - we have something to satisfy every craving.

Whether you're a professional chocolatier or a passionate home baker, we have you covered. Our range includes blocks of luxurious couverture chocolate, ideal for creating decadent truffles & exquisite desserts. For those seeking convenience without compromising taste, our assortment of chocolate chips & compound coating wafers ensures you have the perfect ingredients for baking cookies, brownies, & more.

At Stover & Company, you can rely on the fact that the chocolate we carry represents exceptional quality and flavor. This enables you to elevate your culinary creations and experience the pure delight of chocolate.

To make World Chocolate Day even sweeter, Stover & Company is hosting a giveaway on social media! Head over to our Facebook & Instagram pages for a chance to win* a case of your choice from our Eleven o’one Chocolate Line!

*Full contest details can be found on the contest post. 

Happy World Chocolate Day!

Chocolate has always been a favorite treat for people of all ages, but Amaury Guichon takes this indulgence to a whole new level. A renowned pastry chef & a true artist, Amaury Guichon has mesmerized the world with his jaw-dropping chocolate sculptures. 

Get ready to be amazed by these creations made of 100% chocolate!

Amaury Guichon's chocolate sculptures are a testament to his unparalleled talent & creativity. With his masterful skill, he transforms ordinary chocolate into breathtaking works of art that leave everyone in awe. From mythical creatures to iconic landmarks, Guichon's creations showcase his ability to bring imagination to life using the medium of chocolate. Whether you're a chocolate aficionado or simply appreciate the beauty of art, Guichon's sculptures are guaranteed to leave you inspired & craving a sweet bite of his edible masterpieces. Click here to videos of Amaury making these beautiful creations & more! 

Do you aspire to work this gracefully with chocolate? We all start somewhere! Take a look at our chocolate selection, at Stover & Company we cater to all different types of customers with different needs! From rich couverture chocolate to domestic & imported compound coatings, to cocoa butter & chocolate liquor, we have what you need to fulfill your chocolate dreams & hopefully make amazing works of art like Guichon!

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. 

As summer approaches & temperatures start to soar, ordering chocolate for your business comes with one major challenge—keeping it from melting during transit. 

At Stover & Company, we strive to deliver a perfect chocolate experience to our customers, regardless of the current weather conditions. That's why we offer our Protective Cold Packaging Add-on option to protect your order.

Whether you are new to the world of chocolate or you’ve been in the industry for decades, Merckens is a brand name that stands out & is familiar to all. Merckens Chocolate has been a leader amongst other confectionery brands for over a century. The brand houses an array of products from chocolate coatings, confectionery coatings, & caramel.

The most popular product that Merckens carries is their line of confectionery coatings. Their compound coatings are a staple in every treat maker’s pantry! 

Our customers often ask us similar questions about these products; how to melt Merckens chocolate? If Merckens carries real chocolate? Is Merckens chocolate gluten free? Do candy melts expire? What’s the difference between candy melts & chocolate?

As a chocolate distributor, we strive to carry a wide range of products that you may need for your business. We carry your favorite brands like Callebaut & Merckens, but we also have two of our very own exclusive product lines. Eleven o’one is our line of carefully curated imported compound & couverture chocolates.