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What better way to celebrate July 7th, Chocolate Day than a look at some of the sweet confections the Etsy marketplace has to offer?

Though chocolate itself is available in abundance on the site, we thought we’d shine a spotlight on the creations inspired by the number one Candy Man himself: Mr. Willy Wonka.

Our celebration of National Candy Month continues!

So far we’ve shared recipes for Rock Candy and Tuxedo Strawberries. Next up is a classic piece of candy. So simple. So delicious. So chewy. Gumdrops.

In honor of National Candy Month, we’re posting some of our favorite recipes from The Field Guide to Candy by Anita Chu!

Last week we had Tuxedo Strawberries. Today? Rock Candy! Mm!

After an amazing signing and sampling at Parnassus Books in her hometown of Nashville, TN, Lindsay Landis is packing up some books, some cookie dough, and heading off to Aspen, Colorado for an event at Explore Booksellers.

At the event this Wednesday, Lindsay will once again be signing cookbooks and dishing out delectable samples. At Parnassus, she whipped up some classic truffles, whoopie pies (referred to as "food of the Gods" by a bookstore employee) and special Mexican Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles (you can grab the recipe off her website!). Guests can look forward to similar treats, no doubt.

Come out, say hi, eat some cookie dough. You know you want to. Nom!

Lindsay Landis @ Explore Booksellers
Wednesday, July 20th, 2012

Explore Booksellers
221 East Main Street, Aspen, CO 81611
(970) 925-5336
www.explorebooksellers.com

In honor of National Candy Month, we’re posting some of our favorite recipes from The Field Guide to Candy by Anita Chu!

First up… Tuxedo Strawberries. Cute and delicious. Nom!

Searching for a baking project? Consider National Applesauce Cake Day on June 6th for your inspiration. Scents of cinnamon and apple will remind you of the holidays, you won’t spend too much on ingredients, and it’s wonderfully delicious.

You can make the cake with or without frosting. It’s tasty no matter what. The pictured cake was made with the walnuts mixed into the frosting, but you can always bake the walnuts (or raisins) into the cake itself. Applesauce cake is flexible to your whimsy. I recommend using coconut flour, which is loaded with nutrients and contains less carbs. The flavor blends in nicely, and the prevailing belief is that it’s a healthier alternative to regular flour. You will be doing your tastebuds and your body a favor.

An historical aside…applesauce cake was promoted as a patriotic dessert during World War 1 because applesauce was easy to produce and affordable for customers. Also, it used fewer expensive materials such as eggs, butter, and sugar. The economical cake made its debut into cookbooks in the 1910s. In today’s cake world, applesauce cake is still very popular, and after stocking up on essential baking items it is still pretty lean on the pockets. Enjoy!