Well, not quite but it sure seemed like it! I think we dipped over 900 pieces by the time we were done...two days up to our elbows in chocolate...probably the most fun I've had all year!
We rented a tempering machine, which made dipping go so much faster. We dipped so many different centers I don't think I can list them all! But let me try...Almond Joys, Peanut Clusters, Cashew Clusters, Martha Washington Creams, Buttercrunch, Salted Caramels, Orange Truffles, Lemoncello Truffles, Peanut Butter Truffles, Apricot Creams, Passionfruit Creams, Turtles, and more! Elsie Godfrey, the Queen of Chocolate, came and showed us how she dips by hand on marble...her chocolates were beautiful and it was fascinating to watch her move the chocolate around to keep it in temper! Thank you Elsie and thanks for the wonderful soup you brought us for lunch!!
The machine is so much faster than hand-dipping...for every one Elsie dipped we dipped about four - which is why we were able to get so many done in two days time.
We also had helpers...Linda and Katie kept us organized and more importantly, kept the chocolate organized! Unlike Forest Gump ("Mama always says, life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get!) we actually know what's in each container!! They also put all of the toppings on before the chocolates set...sea salt, shredded coconut, chopped peanuts, etc. Couldn't have done it without them!
Katie, who is an excellent sous chef, was allowed to skip school to come and help! It's her birthday week and this was one of her birthday presents - and besides, she learned waaaaay more being with us than she would have in school!! (Probably some things she should never repeat, too! Thanks Katie!!)
They are all packaged up and ready to be delivered to my family for Christmas...along with instructions on how to eat them:
1. Bite into 1/3 of the chocolate
2. Let it melt onto the tongue.
3. Savor the taste.
4. Bite into next 1/3 of chocolate.
5. Let it melt onto the tongue.
6. Savor the taste.
7. Put the remaining piece of chocolate into mouth.
8. Sit back, close eyes and relax.
9. Enjoy every bit...the creaminess, the crunch, the smooth, rich chocolate...lick lips.
10. Repeat.
One year ago: Cranberry Curd
Two years ago: Silverware Chandelier
Three years ago: Eclairs
Four years ago: Christmas Quilt
Five years ago: Vanilla Extract
Six years ago: My New Diet - Sugared Nuts
