Black Forest Truffles recreate the classic Black Forest cake in candy form. Chocolate, cherries, and kirchwasser combine to form a decadent chocolate-covered truffle, garnished with a sliver of dried cherry. The chewy, tart cherries are the perfect compliment to the smooth chocolate, and the liqueur can be eliminated if you want a more family-friendly candy.
Black Forest Truffles Photo ©2007 Elizabeth LaBau, licensed to About.com, Inc.

Divinity is a sweet old-fashioned candy made from whipped egg whites and boiled sugar syrup. On its own it can sometimes be cloyingly sweet, so I like to add nuts or fruit to give it a more interesting flavor and texture. Cherry Divinity uses candied cherries, but you can substitute dried cherries if you prefer a chewier candy with a more tart flavor. I also like to add bittersweet chocolate chunks when I'm feeling really decadent.
Cherry Divinity Photo ©2007 Elizabeth LaBau, licensed to About.com, Inc.

Cherry and almond are a popular flavor combination (see: Cherry-Almond Clusters, see also: my taste buds) so it stands to reason that cherry would pair well with marzipan, the old-fashioned almond candy paste. Cherry Marzipan Slices combines tart dried cherries with marzipan and semi-sweet chocolate for a not too sweet, not too tart candy. These bite-sized wedges are perfect for a light mid-day (or after-dinner, or before-breakfast...) snack.
Photo ©2007 Elizabeth LaBau, licensed to About.com, Inc.

Cherry-Almond Clusters are a quick drop candy that make the best of dried cherries: their chewiness is offset by crunchy almonds, while their tart flavor nicely balances the sweet white chocolate. The best part is, these candies are so flexible, you can make endless substitutions with other dried fruits and nuts.
Cherry-Almond Clusters Photo ©2007 Elizabeth LaBau, licensed to About.com, Inc.

German Chocolate Fudge isn't exactly a fudge, but it's not quite cake, either. Crumbled chocolate cake is mixed into a ganache base to form a smooth, deeply fudgy bottom layer. This is topped with classic coconut-pecan frosting, then the whole thing is finished with silky ganache. The tri-layer treat looks spectacular, and tastes sinfully rich. If you can't get enough of the coconut-pecan-chocolate combination, try German Chocolate Toffee, which is packed with toasted coconut and pecans, and topped with sweet German chocolate.
German Chocolate Fudge Photo ©2008 Elizabeth LaBau, licensed to About.com, Inc.

I know I say this every week, but I really, really mean it this time: I've found my new favorite candy. Strawberry Shortcake Truffles have everything I love in a dessert--fresh berries, moist cake--in a tiny white chocolate-covered package. If you love the taste of tender cake soaked in strawberry juice, you will love these unique, summery truffles.
Strawberry Shortcake Truffles Photo ©2008 Elizabeth LaBau, licensed to About.com, Inc.

My husband, no friend to most vegetables, is fond of saying that zucchini bread is the reason God gave us zucchini, and carrot cake is the reason God gave us carrots. While I don't share his distaste of raw vegetables, I can't argue with the divine taste of well-made carrot cake. The familiar flavors of carrot cake--fresh carrots, plump raisins, and crunchy nuts--are incorporated into this easy recipe for Carrot Cake Fudge. All you need is a microwave, a mixer, and a few minutes to make this easy, kid-friendly recipe. I'll wager it will convince even the most vegetable-phobic child (or husband) to give carrots another shot.
Carrot Cake Fudge Photo ©2008 Elizabeth LaBau, licensed to About.com, Inc.

While I like cheesecake, I don't usually order it at restaurants because I'm invariably served a boulder-sized slab of cake. If I had common sense this would be fine, but I usually end up eating most or all of the huge cheesecake wedge, then regretting it afterwards and blaming my stomachache on the innocent cheesecake. To circumvent this problem, I've come up with the perfect solution: bite-sized Lemon Cheesecake Truffles. These soft candies feature cream cheese and three types of lemon flavor, all rolled in crushed graham cracker crumbs. They taste exactly like lemon cheesecake, so I get to enjoy all of the creamy, tangy flavor of cheesecake without the guilt of having devoured a piece of cake the size of my head. Everybody wins!
Lemon Cheesecake Truffles Photo ©2008 Elizabeth LaBau, licensed to About.com, Inc.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

To celebrate this, an Americanized version of a Mexican holiday, I've chosen an American candy featuring Mexican ingredients. Mexican Chocolate Fudge starts with a smooth fudge spiced by cinnamon and a hint of spice. Chopped Mexican chocolate is added to the top of the still-wet fudge for crunch and an extra flavor boost. If you've never experienced the unique texture and flavor of Mexican chocolate, this is a great introduction to the grainy, cinnamon-scented treat. ¡Buen provecho!
Photo ©2007 Elizabeth LaBau, licensed to About.com, Inc.

To celebrate Cinco de Mayo on Monday, I'll be making a batch of Dulce de Leche this weekend. This traditional Mexican favorite made entirely from sweetened condensed milk. In my imaginary Candy Hall of Fame, Dulce de Leche holds the dual honors of being the Easiest Candy to Make as well as the Most Time Intensive Candy. With only one ingredient it's astoundingly simple, but the eight-hour boiling time requires vigilance and regular supervision. However, the smooth, milky, caramelized sweetness of the resulting candy is well worth the time, and you can make multiple batches at once without any additional effort.
Dulce de Leche Photo ©2007 Elizabeth LaBau, licensed to About.com, Inc.