5337. Go to Vande Walle’s Candy in Appleton

 Driving home from the T-Rats game, we drove by Vande Walle's Candy by the mall. I casually mentioned, I've never been in Vande Walle's. . I've had their candy before and even did a chocolate book pairing with the Menasha library but in the 20 years I've been here in the Valley, I never stopped at Vande Walle's. Not sure why. I drove by it enough. The hubby was like "really?" and turned around so we could go check it out

Vande Walle's Candies is located by the Fox River Mall in Appleton.. technically Grand Chute but minor details... It is open 8-8 M-F, 8-6 on Saturdays, and 10-6 on Sundays. 

The hubby warned me it is not a big store. Looks are deceiving since the building looks like a giant 2 story house. It is definitely not that big inside. It is bigger than Oak's in Oshkosh and does have displays of chocolate goodies scattered on tables around the floor. I thought the Nutterflies looked adorable.

Like any good chocolate store, there is homemade truffles and other yummy treats in the case.

Besides selling chocolate, they also have a bakery. There were cookies and cakes and all sorts of yummy goodness to ogle over.

We ended up picking up the mini cheesecakes for dessert, along with a dozen cookies, and some truffles for me. I also splurged on some mini macaroons. 

I know the truffles were good since I them before at the chocolate tasting.

The hubby and I both said my cheesecake is better. Theirs was good but apparently I make a mean cheesecake. 

The cookies were delicious and we would definitely get the cookies again.

The macaroons were not bad. The watermelon one did taste like watermelon bubble gum but the tiramisu was lacking in flavor. The root beer one sounded intriguing. I got the watermelon one because it was cute looking.

I definitely needed to get to Vande Walle's sooner but it was probably a good thing I didn't... my wallet might not like me. Now I just need to get to Wilmar's in Appleton and check out their new location in Neenah for the melted chocolate bar.

If you are by the mall in Appleton, definitely check out Vande Walle's. I'm sure you will find a treat you can't wait to indulge in. 

Books and Chocolates -- A Colleen Hoover Chocolate Pairing

 While playing book bingo the other week, I was checking out library events at the area libraries for February. Menasha library was having a chocolate and book pairing on Valentine's Day. The hubby had a game so nothing was on the docket for me. I figured I might as well enjoy some chocolate.

The Menasha Library teamed up with Vande Walles Chocolates to pair different pieces of chocolates with 6 different Colleen Hoover books. I have not read Colleen Hoover but I know she is wildly popular and I figured I might as well see what all the fuss is about.

Book #1: November 9 and Dark Chocolate Vanilla Caramel. 

The reasoning: Because like Colleen Hoover's book, the caramel will pull away and flip. The book is full of plot twists that so it's similar to the caramel flipping over on itself. Being dark chocolate and caramel it was one of my favorite pieces.

Book #2: It Ends With US and Milk Chocolate Covered Biltmore Delight

The reasoning: Because of how Lily reflects on her childhood in the book and how Steve Vande Walles reflected on life growing up in the Biltmore when he visited. Okay this one is stretch but not all of the are perfect matches. This chocolate would be better if it didn't have the peanut butter in it. Too many flavor combinations

Book #3: It Starts With Us and Milk Chocolate Covered Sea Salt Caramel

I don't remember the reasoning but this is a book about second chances and starting over. The tie-in has to do with that. I am not a fan of sea salt and chocolate so this one was okay.

Book 4: Reminders of Him and Milk Chocolate Covered Chocolate Meltaway

The Reasoning: Because like the book, chocolate has the ability to pull you into a moment. If you close your eyes, you can savor the chocolate melting in your melt while appreciating the complexities of milk and dark chocolate working together. This piece of chocolate was decedent and sweet.

Book 5: Verity and Milk Chocolate English Toffee

The Reasoning; Lowen doesn't expect to find chaos in Verity's office and this chocolate causes chaos in your mouth. Um.. okay. I am not a fan of toffee because of how hard it is so I struggled to eat this one. The hubby would have enjoyed it though.

Book 6: Ugly Love and Dark Chocolate Caramel Filled Heart

The Reasoning: What better way to kick of a messy love story than with messy chocolate. The ooey-gooey caramel spills out of the heart and makes a mess. This was definitely my favorite chocolate. 

Word to the wise: Don't eat 6 pieces of rich chocolate in 30 minutes. You will get a belly ache. It doesn't mater how good the chocolate is, it's too much chocolate.

 Besides OD'ing on chocolate, it was a fun event. I learned a little about Colleen Hoover's novels and even picked up Verity to read. Everyone said I needed to read that one. I really only had time to read one otherwise I would have gotten It Ends With Us since I already listened to It Begins With Us before the event.

The Menasha Library is thinking about doing other chocolate and book pairings. I will be curious to see what other authors or genres they do in the future. Chocolate and books are always a good combination in my eyes.