Summer Sweets to Savor by J. Stein

Sweets are for every season! In hotter weather, one tends to look for lighter desserts and more fruity finds. When we think of summer desserts, one imagines rich apple pie, fragrant peach cobbler, smooth ice cream with beautiful plump berries, and cool cream cakes. Pairing chocolate with berries and sticky honey with BBQ meats are seasonal memories for many.                                   

Home chefs can think about sweet delights and exciting pairings for special occasions like the 4th of July and weddings to end seasonal events with.  Themed parties mean themed desserts and treats. Consider sending friends home with tins of cookies or bonbons to savor over the next few months. It will get people talking about you in the sweetest way!             

In the dog days of summer, people like sweets in drink and in food form. A cool juicy cocktail or sangria hits the spot for many. Society this summer will serve real fruit or lemonade slushies to quench their thirsts to keep with the new trend. As New York State offers legal drinks with low THC values now, do not be surprised if at the next event you are offered a choice of one.

At the end of the day, people will always remember the last thing they ate at a meal. This is why dessert is so important! Make lasting impressions for your family and guests by serving indulgent and decadent desserts that captivate the mouth and imagination!  Below are phenomenal treats to add to your menus that will cull cravings and instantly add smiles to faces.

Tonya’s Pecan Crisp Cookies $24 for 12oz This Black female owned business makes some of the best crisp and light homemade pecan crisp cookies. The cookies taste like the top of a fresh baked delicious Southern pecan pie. Go to her store to see all her goodies. www.tonyascookies.com https://x.com/tonyascookies

I LOVE YOU Edible Message Box by Jacques Torres $65 This is the perfect chocolate gift to remind anyone that they are loved!  The letter and emoji bonbons are made from Belgian white chocolate flavors and are filled with either milk or dark chocolate ganache. Signature bonbons fill the tray with decadent fun flavors such as Almondine, Framboise, Love Potion, & Alize Hearts of Passion Dark & Milk. www.mrchocolate.com  https://x.com/jacquestorres 

Cherry Oatmilk Chocolate by Otherly $6 With 43% cacao content, creamy oat milk, and cherry flavor, this chocolate bar is perfect for lactose intolerant people and those who just love fantastic flavor combinations with their chocolate. The rich bar begs one to take a bite or melt it to coat your favorite fruit! They donate to safe houses. www.otherly.co.uk 

5 Bar Milk Collection by COCO $44.72 The beautifully boxed Milk Chocolate Collection contains five 80g single-origin bars, each one made of the finest South American cacao: Colombian Milk, Isle of Skye Sea Salt Milk, Salted Caramel, Rhubarb & Ginger, and Orange. COCO promotes reforestation, is vegan, palm oil free, heavily donates to safe houses, and supports the arts. www.cocochocolatier.com/art https://x.com/cocochocolatier

20 Piece Build A (truffle) Box by The Sweet Shop $79 Choose from 94 innovative flavors of bonbon and   indulge in eye-catching flavorful truffles that melt in your mouth. The rich flavors, inner creamy texture, and outer chocolate crunch are the perfect combination.  This premiere chocolate company donates to safe houses.  www.sweetshopusa.com 

Wedding themed cookies Box of 24 by Lady Fortunes $29.99 This female owned company makes handmade cookies and sweets for every occasion! They create fortune cookies with sayings from prominent Black thinkers to diverse wedding cookies. If you have a special moment, they have a treat! The cookies are crunchy and eye catching. www.ladyfortunes.com https://x.com/LadyFortunes 

Vanilla Carmel Date Glazed Cashews by Nutsola $6 These crunchy cashews are vanilla caramel coated with sweetness from dates. They are made from only 5 ingredients, have 4 grams of protein per serving, and no added sugars. Enjoy them over ice cream, in baked goods, or as sweet snacks.  www.nutsola.com  https://x.com/nutsolaofficial 

Scoot Frozen Lemonade $18.99 12 pack Scoot Frozen Lemonade is a refreshing lemonade slush made from premium ingredients that come in a convenient pouch. FREEZE then SQUEEZE these proudly American made drinks! www.heyscoot.com 

Wildflower Honey with Blueberry by Zach & Zoe Sweet Bee Farm $24 Sustainably sourced, 100% natural, raw, & superfood infused with blueberry, this sugar alternative is amazing in baked goods, on cheese, in drinks, and as a dip for fruits. This Black business is pesticide free! www.zachandzoe.co 

Sparkle Syrup by Runamok Maple Syrup $18.95 Sparkle Syrup is made from grade A Vermont maple syrup and infused with pearlescent mica sparkle. The sparkles are a superfine mineral powder that do not have texture or flavor. The amber syrup shimmers and gives creative cooks another tool to be cool. Add to drinks sauces, desserts, or on meat.  www.runamokmaple.com https://x.com/RunamokMaple 

Fruit Cake by Allan’s Bakery $45 This Black owned business makes their fruitcake with fruit, wine, rum, and molasses. The bakers give the batter time to absorb the flavors before baking it and then soak in more wine, rum, and liquors after the cooking process. This leads to a moist delicious Caribbean cake.  www.Allansbakery.com  https://x.com/AllansBakery 

Mike’s Extra Hot Honey $20.99 Made with 100% pure honey, chili peppers & vinegar, Mike’s Extra Hot can be used to heat & sweet meats, pizza, sauces, or beverages. Mike’s Hot Honey is Kosher, all natural, gluten-free, and contains no preservatives or artificial sugar. www.mikeshothoney.com https://x.com/mikeshothoney 

Honey by Chef for Higher $60 This rich infused Linden honey contains 240 mg of THC per bottle and 10mg of THC per teaspoon. As it is sweet and earthy, it blends beautifully for sauces, on meats, and on cheese. One can add the honey to iced tea for either a party or bedtime drink.  www.chefforhigher.com https://x.com/ChefForHigher  

Ritter Sport Alpine Milk Chocolate $2.91 The bar is made with 100% certified sustainable cocoa sourced by the delicious German family chocolate maker. The ingredients are premium, and the quality is always high end. The small squares in the bar make it easier not to gobble the whole bar in one sitting or to maybe share it. Try the Corn Flakes bar $2.92 as well! It is crunchy and creamy at the same time! www.ritter-sport.com  https://x.com/ritter_sport