Delicious Chocolate Picture Frames
07 May 2010, written by AlishaI love chocolate and when I saw this video I just had to share it…
In this video, Lake Champlain Chocolates shows you how to make a delicious real chocolate picture frame using dark chocolate and milk chocolate. It looks delicious!
If you’re inspired to make this delicious chocolate picture frame yourself, here is what you need plus the recipe.
Ingredients
good quality couverture* chocolate- dark, milk and white, chopped
*Couverture chocolate is of a better quality, and contains a higher content of cocoa butter (32-39%). It does not contain vegetable or palm oil, or other artificial additives
Special Equipment
- double-boiler or microwave-safe bowl
- chocolate candy thermometer
- baking sheet
- parchment paper
- laminated paper
- cloth or plastic gloves
- piping bags
*Tempering Chocolate – Double-Boiler Method
- Bring saucepan filled with 1″ of water to a simmer over low heat
- Place heat-proof bowl or double-boiler insert over a saucepan of simmering water
- Place ¾ of chocolate in bowl. Melt slowly, allowing temperature to reach 110º F
- Remove from heat and add back the remaining ¼ of chocolate gradually, to drop temperature down to following ranges, and keep over very low heat at these temperatures (tempered chocolate will cool and harden quickly): dark chocolate: 88-90º F; milk chocolate: 86-88º F; white chocolate: 80-82º F
*Tempering Chocolate – Microwave Method
- Place ¾ of chocolate in microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at 30-second intervals, stirring after each time. When chocolate starts to melt, check temperature with chocolate thermometer (or candy thermometer) to reach 110º F
- Stir in a small amount of reserved chocolate, until temperature drops to following ranges, and keep at these temperatures until use (tempered chocolate will harden quickly). Microwave at 10-second intervals to bring back up to temperature. Add small amounts of reserved chocolate to drop back down: dark chocolate: 88-90º F; milk chocolate: 86-88º F; white chocolate: 80-82º F
How-to Make Your Chocolate Picture Frame
Trace & Separate Chocolate Pieces
- Spread tempered* Milk Chocolate over a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. (Set aside some of the Milk Chocolate for decorating). Be sure to get air bubbles out, smoothing the chocolate with a spatula and carefully lifting the pan and giving it a tap on the tabletop
- Wait until just before the Milk Chocolate gets hard, yet still slightly soft, then it will be ready to trace the frame shape
- Measure the size picture frame desired on a thick piece of paper, cut out the shape. Lay laminate paper over the frame
- Gently lay frame over the milk chocolate. Do not press hard on the chocolate because it will leave fingerprints
- With a paring knife, first trace the outer edge of the frame; next, trace the inner edge of the frame. Then gently insert the knife under a corner of the template; lift and gently pull off template
- With the knife, outline triangles in the center “canvas” area of the frame to make it easier to pop out the chocolate
- Once these steps are completed, let chocolate completely harden for about 5 minutes. The surrounding chocolate will actually start to separate from the frame which indicates it’s hard enough to remove
- Wearing gloves (to avoid fingerprints), gently remove chocolate triangles from within the frame and the chocolate from around the frame itself. (Melt extra pieces of chocolate to use or enjoy them as a reward for a job well done!)
- Complete the steps above with Dark Chocolate (set aside some dark chocolate for decorating) except do not cut triangles in the center. This will be the surface or “canvas” that shows through the Milk Chocolate Frame on which to write a message
- Also cut out a few triangular “stands” from the Dark Chocolate to support the frame
Assemble Frame
- Melt reserved Dark Chocolate and put in a piping bag and outline the edges of the Dark Chocolate canvas
- Place Milk Chocolate frame on top, and press gently
Decorate & Attach Stand
- Melt chocolate as per tempering instructions and write a message on the inside “canvas” portion of the frame
- Make decorations and let harden, about 3-5 minutes, before adding to frame
- Attach decorations to the frame on a flat surface, using melted chocolate as “glue”
- Let dry 3-5 minutes before attaching stand onto the back of the frame
- Attach stand to the frame with melted chocolate piped onto the individual stand pieces
- Press gently into the stand and pipe extra chocolate on the outside edges of the stand pieces
- Let stand, untouched for 10 minutes before moving
And if the chocolate picture frame is too much work…you can always get a non-edible chocolate brown picture frame.
Happy Mother’s Day!
05 May 2010, written by AlishaYourPictureFrames.com wants to wish every Mother a very happy and relaxing Mother’s Day!
In celebration of the important job that every Mom does, here is an unnamed poem that seemed very fitting:
“The love a mother is beyond compare
One who dearly loves and is always there
From scraped knees
To Falls from trees
A mother cares for all
From “I told you so”
To “That’s a no-no!”
A mother answers the call
Mothers should be honored for all that they have done
Every day of the year, not just one!”
–Anonymous
With one of the toughest jobs around, Mom’s SHOULD be honored more than just one day a year!
New Colors of Ashleigh Manor Picture Frames
03 May 2010, written by AlishaWe’re excited to introduce the new 2010 Ashleigh Manor picture frames.
Ashleigh Manor is offering some bright new colors for 2010 in some of their most popular decorative picture frames. You’ll be sure to love these bright and beautiful new colors. So, without further adieu here are the new colors for 2010:
Marlene Decorative Picture Frames
These colorful enamel and metal picture frames are a classic way to bring color into your home or office. Here are the brand new colors: Deep Pink Picture Frame, Terra Cotta Orange Picture Frame, Ultramarine Blue Picture Frame and Cobalt Blue Picture Frame
Yvonne Decorative Picture Frames
This colorful enamel picture frame has a classic metal border with a bright enamel finish. The following new colors are now available: Yvonne Coral Picture Frame, Yvonne Ultramarine Blue Picture Frame, and Yvonne Deep Pink Picture Frame.
Beaded Picture Frames
With the simple beaded edge, these enamel beaded picture frames are a great way to add color to your favorite picture without overpowering it. The two new colors being added are: Terra Cotta Beaded Picture Frame and Cobalt Beaded Picture Frame
Tiffany Picture Frames
Similar to the Marlene Picture Frame, this frame has an eye catching display of crystal jewels. Now in addition to being offered in white, this jeweled picture frame is also available in a green jeweled picture frame and a gold jeweled picture frame.
Rose Decorative Picture Frame
If you love roses, then this gorgeous rose frame is for you. This beautiful rose picture frame is now available in a rich warm terra cotta color. This adorable 3×3 terra cotta rose picture frame is perfect for a special small photo.
Bouquet Jeweled Flower Picture Frame
This popular flower picture frame is now available in 3 new colors: salmon, pale blue and tortoise brown. Come check out all the colors available in this frame by visiting our flower picture frames section.
With so many brand new colors it only seemed right to give these bold new colors the attention they deserve- and give them their very own post. So, stay tuned for another post featuring Ashleigh Manor’s brand new decorative frames for 2010.