Tagged with 'eleven o one deluxe'

Sweet Team Spotlight: Meet Fred Csibi-Levin!

 


We personally invited some of our loyalist supporters & biggest superfans to create this power team of talented bakers & treat makers!


Meet Fred Csibi-Levin:


Fred, also known as Doc Macaron on social media, is a PhD scientist turned pastry chef & macaron artist. He is passionate about pushing baking boundaries by creating innovative & thoughtful pastries with mouthwatering flavors. 


Fred’s brand focuses on merging baking science with pastry arts. While most Sweet Team Members prefer to work compound coatings, Fred prefers to use our Eleven o’one couverture chocolate line to create his beautiful & dreamy desserts. 


In 2020, Fred’s sweet tooth & extra time led him to try baking for the first time. As a french native, he decided to start with creating macarons. Knowing how tedious these delicious cookies can be to make, it was then he decided to merge his love of science to bring them to perfection. When Fred realized how science could be applied to baking, he fell in love! Who wouldn't love a science experience that ends in a tasty treat?


Now Fred is passionate about teaching others how to bake successfully by providing scientific basis, in a way that is accessible to everyone.  Fred is even available for consulting for your baking needs! Check out his mesmerizing videos of his creations on social media or through his online classes.


When asked about his favorite Stover & Company product Fred says: “I LOVE the eleven o’one thirty three white couverture chocolate because of its flavor & properties, like fluidity, which makes it ideal for many applications including tempering.”


Check out some of Fred’s beautiful work below!



Where to find Fred:

Social Media: @doc_macaron

Website: www.docmacaron.com 


Get to know the rest of Stover’s Sweet Team here!

 

 

Sweet Team Spotlight: Meet Sasha Nary!

We personally invited some of our loyalist supporters & biggest superfans to create this power team of talented bakers & treat makers!


Meet Sasha Nary:

 

Sasha is a self-taught baker, cake decorator, confectionery artist, wife & mom of three! Born & raised in Ukraine, she now lives in Chicago. Besides baking, decorating & creating sugar art, Sasha enjoys outdoor family activities & visiting downtown Chicago’s museums & theaters.  


Sasha started baking with her mother & grandmother at a young age. Even as a young girl, Sasha always wanted to be involved in whatever they were making. She even chose to do her homework in the kitchen, so she could be a part of the baking action! Sasha’s grandmother had a reputation for making amazing cookies & cakes while her mother is known for her lemon tarts, pies & even homemade pizza! Sasha is very proud to inherit a few of their secret recipes, which she has now adapted & recreated into new & unique creations. 


In 2015, Sasha took an unforgettable vacation to Paris which initiated a fire in her to master the art of French pastries. From macarons, to mille feuille, pate a choux & mousse filled pastries, she learned & perfected these French delights, opening the door to cake decorating. Taking a turn from pastry making, Sasha has spent the last two years learning the art of custom cakes & desserts. Her fire for baking is still ignited as she teaches herself every step of the way, celebrating success & learning from failures as she goes through the steps of this new endeavor. 


Now she runs Sasha Cakes Chicago sharing her wealth of knowledge & experience through a fantastic blog, hosts baking lessons, tips & tricks, best tools & shares perfected recipes. Sasha bakes delicious desserts alongside her followers, giving her students confidence by extending her excitement for pastries. 


When asked about her favorite Stover & Company product, Sasha says: 
“Ah, that’s a hard question! I LOVE absolutely ALL of your products! If I had to choose just one, I'd choose your Eleven o’one European Deluxe Compound Coatings for its ease of use. It has a high quality texture, taste & unmatched shine, plus no tempering required. You can’t beat it!”


   


Where to find Sasha:

Instagram: @sashacakeschicago 

Tik Tok: @sashacakeschicago

Website: www.sashacakeschicago.com

Meet the rest of Stover’s Sweet Team here!

 

RECIPE: Chocolate & Caramel Dipped Apples with Salted Caramel Flakes

If you’re looking to create a simple, yet sensational fall treat using our NEW Salted Caramel Flakes, this Chocolate & Caramel Dipped Apples Recipe might be just what you’re looking for! 


Imagine crisp & sweet apples paired with sweetness from Peter’s Caramel & Eleven o’one European Deluxe Milk Compound Coating, topped with salty-sweet caramel flakes, making an irresistible combination!


Ok, enough talk, let’s make these delicious chocolate & caramel apples! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Tools:

  • Large Pot
  • Double boiler or microwave safe bowl
  • Confectionary sticks (caramel apple sticks, popsicle sticks)
  • Wax paper
  • Silicone Spatulas

Ingredients:

Instructions: 

Prepare your Workspace: 
Line a baking sheet with wax paper to prevent the apples from sticking to the baking sheet & make cleanup a breeze.


Prepare the Apples: 

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. In the meantime, remove the stems from the apples.
Carefully dip apples into the boiling water with a slotted spoon for 30 seconds. This will allow the wax on the apples to melt away.
Dry apples with a paper towel & let them cool for at least 30 minutes. Insert a stick into each apple & set in the refrigerator while you prepare the other ingredients. 


Melt the Peter’s Caramel Loaf:

Check out this previous blog post on different ways to melt Peter’s Caramel Loaf. 

 

We recommend this double boiler method:

Prepare a heavy-bottomed saucepan or a double boiler. Ensure the boiling water does not touch the pan or bowl that will hold your caramel as no water should come in contact with your caramel.
Slice the desired amount of Peter’s Caramel Loaf & put it in the bowl going over the double boiler. 
Melt the Peter’s Caramel on low to medium heat, stirring constantly. 
PRO TIP: use a rubber spatula instead of a whisk to minimize air bubbles.
The temperature of your caramel should remain between 160ºF- 180ºF while melting.
Once you’ve reached the desired consistency, remove your Peter’s Caramel from the heat to avoid overcooking or burning.


Melt your Milk Chocolate

As we mentioned, we recommend our Eleven o’one European Deluxe line for this recipe: 

1. Fill a microwave safe bowl with Eleven o’one Milk Deluxe & melt for 30 seconds. 
2. Take out the container & gently shake the small wafers to disperse any hot spots. 
3. Return to microwave & heat for another 30 seconds. Remove & stir. 
4. Repeat this process one or two times more, reducing the time by 10 seconds with each intervol. 
5. When your wafers are about 75% melted, stop the heating process & stir with a silicone spatula. The warm melted wafers will aid in melting the rest of the coating wafers in the dish.
PRO TIP: Ensure your compound coatings do not exceed 90ºF. 

Dip the Apples: 
1. Use the confectionary stick to firmly hold your apple, then gently dip it into the melted caramel, twisting the apple until it is fully covered. 
2. Hold the apple over the pot to allow excess caramel to drip off then wipe the bottom of the apple on the edge of the bowl to create a clean bottom for your treat. 
3. Set your caramel dipped apple on the wax paper lined baking sheet for a few minutes to allow it to set. 
4. Once the caramel has set & cooled on the apples, proceed to dip in your melted chocolate to create a rich top layer.  
5. Before your chocolate layer fully sets, freely sprinkle your Salted Caramel Flakes on top for the perfect finish. The Flakes will adhere beautifully, adding a slight crunch & delightful flavor.

PRO TIPS:

Ensure your apples are fully dry before dipping in Peter’s Caramel Loaf
Ensure your Eleven o’one Milk European Coatings, or compound coatings of your choice are not too hot. Your melted chocolate should not be above 90ºF. 
Ensure your caramel coated apples have set well before dipping in chocolate.
If your compound coating layer has set before you are able to sprinkle the Caramel Flakes on, you can carefully use a culinary blow torch or heat gun to remet the chocolate. 
Your dipped apples will last for 1 week if properly stored & refrigerated. 
So grab your caramel & chocolate & make a detour for the orchid because these apples are sure to be a hit at your next Fall gathering! Happy Harvest!

 

 

 

Product Launch: Salted Caramel Flakes!

 


Introducing our newest & most exciting product yet: Eleven o’one Salted Caramel Flakes! These tiny, crunchy flakes are set to revolutionize your tasty creations by adding a new aspect of deliciousness. Whether you’re a professional baker, or just love whipping up treats from home in your kitchen, our Salted Caramel Flakes are about to become your best kept secret!



So what are salted caramel flakes? 


Imagine delicate flakes of caramel, kissed with a hint of sea salt. These golden nuggets of delight add an explosion of flavor & texture to any treat you add them to, creating the perfect balance of sweet, salty & crunchy. 


The best thing about our Salted Caramel Flakes is their remarkable versatility! Here are just a few ways you can use them in your treats:


Topping: Top off your treats with a generous handful of our Salted Caramel Flakes! They make for the perfect finishing touch to your ice cream, cupcakes, brownies, cake pops, caramel apples, chocolate covered pretzels, truffles & so much more! 
Inclusion: Incorporate these delicious flakes into your cookie, muffin or cake batter! The result? Bursts of salted caramel flavor buried in baked goods that will have everyone begging for your secret recipe. 
Chocolate Inclusion: Add our Salted Caramel Flakes to your favorite brand of melted compound coatings or couverture chocolate (of course we recommend our Eleven o’one European Deluxe Compounds). Use to mold or enrobe your treats resulting in a shell of delicious chocolate speckled with salted caramel goodness. 

So try our Salted Caramel Flakes today & discover how they can transform your desserts from ordinary to extraordinary! 


Available in 1lb & 5lb bags on Friday, October 27th!


We love to see your creations, so be sure to tag us on social media when you use our products!

Instagram : @stoverandcompany

Threads: @stoverandcompany

Facebook: @stovercompanybaking     

Or share your homemade treats in our Public Facebook Group: Confection Connection

 

Celebrate World Chocolate Day with Stover & Company!

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!

 

 

Am I using real chocolate?

Have you ever wondered if the chocolate you are using is real chocolate or not? This is a common question that we hear a lot. 


There are two different types of chocolate: Couverture Chocolate (aka real chocolate) & Compound Chocolate (better known as candy melts or chocolate coating).

Read more