Reddit reviews Chocolates and Confections at Home with The Culinary Institute of America

Cream would probably work better than milk since milk doesn't do much when whipped. If you want it thinner, though, milk is probably the way to go.

Also, I've come across ganache recipes that are used as fillings in truffles and they contain corn syrup. Personally, I think it comes out pretty fudgy and very smooth and very delicious. The book Chocolates and Confections has a few good recipes.

You could get her some fancy boxes/ bags/ foils so she can package them up nicely for gifts. Homemade truffles make amazing gifts because everyone who doesn't make candy seems to be pretty sure dark magic is involved.

This book has far more than truffle recipes, but that will just give her something to aim for. It's an amazing book for at-home candy making.

I was taught by Peter Greweling, who is a god among men. His book for artisan confectioners was so successful among home enthusiasts, that he wrote a version just for them. I haven't actually read the home version, but the artisan version is a constant reference for me.

As for the difference with the marble slab (tabling, as it's called), there is a fairly precise procedure of heat, cool (on the marble), agitate (still on the marble), re-heat ever-so-slightly... overkill, usually, but it lets decorations like this hold up indefinitely, even when warm. The freezer will set the chocolate, but it's still a stop-gap solution, as the crystals that form are the unstable type, and the chocolate will go soft at room temperature.

I like talking about chocolate.

Chocolates and Confections at Home with The Culinary Institute of America is an easy to follow guide, and it's affordable. I highly recommend it if you're starting out.

My defining moment was a pretty scary moment in my life. And in my sister's life. But it was when I learned that I need to be able to be in control during life's crises...and I learned that I can be.

When I was 11, my sister had a seizure while we were home alone. I was actually on the phone with my dad when it happened, and I told him, "I think [sister] is having a seizure, I'm going to hang up and dial 911". He beat the ambulance and we all went to the hospital together.

It's small, but I stayed in control enough to make sure what needed to happen, happened. After I called 911, I pulled anything hard away from my sister so she wouldn't hurt herself, and I helped her when she came around.

Long story short, she's fine, we're all fine, but it was eye-opening. I know that I did the best I could, and that by staying calm in an emergency, you can do the most good. And, it really highlighted for me the importance of family.

One item I really want off my wishlist right now is this

I_Define_Me