Sweets For My Sweet - Sweetness Sundays

A short but very sweet post today, all about the heavenly confections that make life, well, sweet. Most people feel comfortable attempting to bake or cook in their kitchens, but making candy and sweets is still a little daunting to even the most seasoned chefs. Candy isn't like most kitchen arts, it requires a lot of practice, careful control of temperature and timing, and often special equipment for molding or shaping your creations.  It is for that reason most of us find it easier to buy candy at the corner store or market.

Rolled Sultan Turkish Delight, Rose Flavor by ggbytech on Etsy.

If you are lucky and have a local Chocolatier, Confectioner, or Sweet Shop that churns out fresh hand-made goods, you know where this is heading. Nothing beats the real thing. Handmade candy and confections are not only free of all those preservatives and stabilizers that keep those other manufactured 'treats' shelf sitting for months or years on end, but they taste so much better. Often you can get unique flavor combinations that are more gourmet and appeal to a smaller group of consumers, you can also interact directly with the sweet-makers. You can ask questions about ingredients and the things that matter to you about your food, such as local suppliers, green practices, and vegan or health specific issues. Today I present to you a virtual sampler of some beautiful hand-made confections that you can order on-line and enjoy with your valentine(s). At the very least, it may send you looking for you own local sweet shops. Have a "Sweet" Sunday.

Sweet Honeydew, Vegan Handmade Hard Candy by Von Dulce on Etsy.

Organic Freckled Strawberry Marshmallows,  All Natural, Gluten and Egg Free, Kosher by The Realist Mermaid on Etsy.

Simple Chocolate Dipped Pear, Handmade Fresh To Order by Sugar Queen Sweets on Etsy.

Pretty In Pink, Pearl Embellished Hard Candy Lollipops - Made To Order by  Vintage Confections on Etsy.

Rocky Road Fudge, Made Fresh to Order by Fudge Face on Etsy.

Cupcake Crystal Hard Candy Lollipops, Pink Bubblegum by Sweet Lollipop Shop on Etsy.

Valentine's Day Gift Box of Assorted French Nougat Candies in 5 Flavors, All Natural No Preservatives by Kettle Confections on Etsy.

Lemon Mocha Truffles Worth Puckering Up For, Made in Canada - Semi Sweet Chocolate, Nut Free by My Hands Are Busy on Etsy.

Soft Caramels, 1/2 Pound, Sweet Soft and Buttery by Bubble Gum Art Company on Etsy.

 Vegan Chocolate Fruit Cremes, 7 Flavors, Covered in German Chocolate - Made To Order by Hippie Cakes on Etsy.

Cookie Lovers Delight, Hand Dipped and Drizzled Double Stuff Oreos by Sweet Sophia's Creations on Etsy.