We have all heard, more than once, that "good things come in small packages. " An excellent example of this sentiment comes from Divine Delights Petit Fours. These eye-catching "small squares" are not just visually appealing, they are delicious. Divine Delights, the company supplying the bulk of our Petit Fours, was started in 1985 in San Rafael California and has been featured in Gourmet, Bon Appetit, In Style, and The New York Times magazines. Not too shabby.
Many heads are turned by the interestingly shaped, colorful array of truffle cream/butter cream and/or fruit filled mini cakes when they come up to the Deli Espresso Dessert case. The trays of Petit Fours just happen to be in the case at a kids' eye level – which is perhaps unfair to parents, since they are certainly "eye candy" to the captive audience. The "Gift Package", and the "Girlie Girl" selections are perhaps the most familiar to steady deli clientele – shaped like small presents, neatly tied with a frosting-esque ribbon, they could easily grace any hospitality basket or gift box; small enough to fit into anything that needs just a little "something more", appealingly colorful, and in the end, quite tasty.
It is common for customers to mix and match a variety of them, place them on a dessert tray or adorn any party setting, perhaps even grabbing a variety of shapes and colors with the intention of making a cake top not to be missed. The Wedding Cremes cakes, packaged in ivory and cream tones with spring mint trim, are just the thing to grace any elegant reception, shower, or tea. In squares and ovals, you can create a soft, yet formal look for any Wedding reception table.
Time for Tea? Some of the more interesting (if not amusing) Petit Fours in our case are the color Tea Hats – cute little bonnets in various colors that resemble the ones the "Femme Fatales" would wear to the Kentucky Derby. These distinctive little delights are formed from a shortbread cookie, with some cake filling added, and then enrobed in chocolate. The color selection represents the filling, be it mint, banana, coconut creme, or lime.
In addition to the astonishing array of colorful and interestingly shaped petit fours are the Moonstruck Chocolate truffles. Moontruck Chocolatier was started in Portland, Oregon in 1993 with a simple concept in mind: to make exceptional chocolates using Northwest ingredients, all designed to please the eye. I say: "Mission Accomplished!" This is one area of the deli display cases – the Moonstruck truffles have their very own glass display case, just past the espresso cash register – that stops people, young and old, in their tracks every time. The novel shapes, designs, colors, are so unique, so well thought out, and downright clever. From clownfish to ladybugs, chocolate labs, bunnies, kitties, and ice cream cones- there is something for everyone. The animal shaped selections are very detail-oriented, to say the least.
My favorites from this category are:
Sea Salt Vanilla- The sea salt is sprinkled on the top of this luscious little beauty. I know it sounds a little weird- but please trust me- they are so, so scrumptious!
Sea Salt Vanilla- The sea salt is sprinkled on the top of this luscious little beauty. I know it sounds a little weird- but please trust me- they are so, so scrumptious!
Italia Espresso- Pyramid shaped, dark chocolate with espresso coffee hints.
Milk Chocolate Gift- Rich chocolate, shaped like a perfectly wrapped present. (This is something, by the way, that most guys are not capable of doing. For us, a perfectly wrapped present is an oxymoron).
Amongst the truffle gift box selections:
Golf Ball Collection- Little white golf balls. Better to eat them before they get "lost in the rough!"
Clown Fish- Yes, Clown Fish.
Mojito Coins- Pretty, and quite refreshing.
Milk Chocolate Daisies
Dark Chocolate Daisies
Mojito Mint Tingles
Mint Duo Starfish
I consider Moonstruck to be a semi-local product, since Portland is within a day's drive, and they use Northwest ingredients to make us happy. Good for them. Good for us. Have a great Summer!
