la.foodblogging

Everyone’s coming out with the holiday shopping guides (and I’m no different) and I was wondering what I could say here at la.foodblogging.com about local candy. I blogged before about local candy, but those are merely stocking stuffers. I’m talking about gifts worthy of your best foodie friends and family.

1. Boule - it’s like going into Tiffany’s for candies, right down to the robin egg blue bags. The chocolates are excellent in provacative flavor combinations but they really shine with their amazing fleur de sel caramels, nougat (torrnes if you grew up in an Italian family) and the amazing fruit pates. If you’re entertaining you might consider their ice cream for your pies. I can personally say that the banana ice cream would be amazing with pecan pie. Visit them at 410 N. La Cienega Blvd, LA. (310)289-9977

2. Plush Puffs - in full disclosure, I was exposed to these fun little gourmet marshmallows when they approached me to review it on CandyBlog.net, but I have to say I’m sad that I’m out of them. They’re sumptuous marshmallows in interesting flavor combinations like Peppi-mint, Maple Pecan and Sydney’s Cinnamon. They’re also supposed to be good on pie, but I found them really good in hot chocolate (or toasted on the gas stove and eaten right there). They have gift baskets that can be ordered on the internet or you can pick them up at local outlets like Aroma Cafe in Studio City or Bel Air Foods.

3. Little Flower Caramels - I haven’t tried these yet, but they’ve gotten rave reviews and of course are the hippest artisanal caramels around. I love a good caramel and I know that the best ones are made carefully with real ingredients. They’re available online and at select shops in LA such as Susina’s, Cheese Store of Silverlake and Surfas. Phone orders (323)551-5948

4. Ultimate Nut & Candy Company - if you’re putting together your stockings and are looking for retro candies, Utimate Nut can probably help you out. Not only that, they’ve got an incredible selection of roast and panned nuts in addition to dipped dried fruits, caramel corn and other handmade candies. They also offer a “gift of the month” subscription. (800) 767-5259 - visit them at the Farmers Market, 3rd and Fairfax.

5. Jin Patisserie - just go to the site and just enjoy the beautiful pastel photos of macaroons in such fantastical flavors as Lavender, Lychee, Pistachio and Green Tea. Their webstore ships their more durable confections like the chocolates and cookies. Their afternoon tea might actually lure me to the Westside. (310) 399-8801 - visit them at 1202 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice.

By cybele (see more of her posts). You can find more of cybele's writing all about candy at her own website Candyblog.net