Twenty five days of holiday movie fun
Countdown to Christmas with our Advent calendar chocolate truffle collection
Celebrate Christmas cheer with Delysia Chocolatier as we countdown to Christmas morning. Inspired by popular Christmas movie classics, a quote to a different holiday flix will hint at the inspired truffle flavor. As you enjoy 25 different Christmas flavors leading up to Christmas morning, each truffle will come with a quote from a different Christmas classic. Reveal each flavor underneath each chocolate, inspired by the specific movie, as you journey through the collection. Enjoy all the warm flavors of the winter season bundled together in this collection, making this holiday month one to remember. To learn the name of the movie, as well as flavor inspirations, unique facts, trivia, and more, revealed at the end of each day, follow along daily.
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
“I never thought it was such a bad little tree. It’s not bad at all, really. Maybe it just needs a little love.” -Linus
December 25, 2020 – Peppermint patty chocolate truffle
Inspiration
We wanted to finish this advent calendar on a sweet note with a film that celebrates the important parts of Christmas- kindness, friendship and happy times spent together. We selected a flavor that honors Charlie Brown’s ardent admirer, Peppermint Patty! We hope this advent calendar has brought you a little piece of joy this holiday season. We certainly had fun getting to craft unique flavors to pair with a holiday film for each day of December. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Flavor
Our Peppermint patty truffle has the perfect amount of mint infused into pure dark chocolate to create a cool, refreshing taste. Only the finest ingredients are used for a taste of pure mint that’s as fresh and memorable as the first snowfall. A delightful finish to 25 days of sweetness.
Trivia
When they first saw the show, CBS executives were horrified at the idea of an animated Christmas special with such a blatant message. They also strongly objected to the fact that the show had no canned laughter. In addition, they greeted Vince Guaraldi’s jazz score as an intrusion in the special that audiences would never accept. However, when CBS learned to their astonishment of the special’s spectacular ratings earned on its initial broadcast and the glowing reviews for it, the network promptly contracted the producers for more specials.
December 24, 2020 – Birthday cake chocolate truffle
Inspiration
This show was intended to have the look of a greeting card, which is why it’s animated in that particular style. In contrast Ranklin/Bass’ other famous holiday television specials, like ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ and ‘The Year Without a Santa Claus’, were done in stop motion animation. We wanted to capture the scene where Frosty first comes to life in a flavor, as well as pay homage to the greeting card animation style. Frosty’s first words are “Happy birthday!” and birthdays make up a large portion of the greeting card industry, so we went with the flavor of birthday cake!
Flavor
Sometimes simplest is best. Our birthday cake truffle showcases the high quality of the milk chocolate we use to handcraft our confections. Classic and creamy milk chocolate surrounds a piece of airy (but gluten free) birthday cake. These two classic ingredients will give you something to delight in as you look forward to Christmas morning.
Trivia
The special begins with children going to school on Christmas Eve, which was common up until the mid-60s.
As with most animated characters, their hands have three fingers and a thumb. However, Frosty briefly gains a fourth finger after coming to life, when he’s describing how he can count to ten.
Elf (2003)
“We…try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corn, and syrup.” -Buddy the Elf
December 23, 2020 – Maple spaghetti chocolate truffle
Inspiration
This playful film from the early 2000s provided many possibilities for fun flavors. Buddy the Elf is constantly talking about eating sugary treats in one form or another (the cotton balls he eats at the doctor’s office were actually cotton candy that had not been dyed). We ultimately landed on maple spaghetti to reference one of the most iconic scenes from Buddy’s adventures in New York City. Plus we got to layer in ingredients that are both elf-approved and delicious.
Flavor
Our maple spaghetti chocolate truffle will bring you back to childhood memories of Christmas morning and stockings full of goodies. This truffle features decadent dark chocolate studded with sprinkles, chocolate chips, and fluffy marshmallows. Rich maple syrup winds its way through all of these ingredients for a ganache that’s brimming with sweet treats and layers of flavor.
Trivia
Several minor traffic accidents occurred when Will Ferrell walked through the Lincoln Tunnel in his costume, because people were so surprised (and distracted from their driving) to see him wearing an elf outfit.
Will Ferrell suffered from headaches throughout filming, as he had to actually eat all of the sugary foodstuffs in the Elf food pyramid on camera.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
“From what I see now, that will cut through the murkiest storm they can dish up.” – Santa Claus
December 22, 2020 – Carrot cake chocolate truffle
Inspiration
As a child, we always left cookies and milk for Santa, along with carrots for his reindeer. Earlier this summer, when cleaning out the attic with my mom, we found a letter I wrote to Santa when I was 5 years old explaining this to Santa, wanting to ensure that his reindeer had nourishment for their long Christmas Eve journey. This became the inspiration for the chocolate truffle flavor representing this stop motion animated television special released in 1964.
Flavor
Our carrot cake truffle is crafted to be delicious and energizing for reindeer and elves alike. Luscious milk chocolate is infused with fresh carrot puree, finely shredded carrots, and roasted pecans for a full-bodied texture. Baking spices of cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg add warmth and depth throughout each bite of this sweet treat.
Trivia
Copies of both the Santa and Rudolph puppets were found in storage in the attic of a woman that used to work for Rankin-Bass. The puppets were in rather poor condition (Santa was missing his eyebrows and half his mustache along with his legs being broken. Rudolph’s iconic nose was missing and replaced with red wax), but amazingly survived being stored in a hot attic since the late 1960’s. They have since been restored by Screen Novelties to their former glory and now travel the country to various trade shows and conventions.
December 21, 2020 – Caramelized stuffing chocolate truffle
Inspiration
This movie, released in 1947, is a true holiday classic. This quote reminds me immediately of Macy’s and their most recent marketing campaign “I believe” (which as a side note my brother actually worked on). For my family, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade launched the holiday season for us. We would gather around to watch the parade while sipping on hot chocolate and eating pumpkin bread, as mom prepped the turkey for our Thanksgiving feast later in the day. Never a huge fan of turkey personally, I believe that the side dishes are the true ‘stars’ of the show, with the stuffing taking center stage.
Flavor
Our caramelized stuffing chocolate truffle is 68% bittersweet chocolate infused with thyme and sage providing strong herbal notes at the forefront and earthy notes lingering on the finish. Delicate hints of rosemary caramel linger throughout each bite of this festive truffle.
Trivia
Both Macy’s and Gimbel’s were approached by the producers for permission to have them depicted in the film. Both wanted to see the finished film first before they gave approval. If either had refused, the film would have had to been extensively edited and re-shot to eliminate the references. Fortunately at the test viewing, both were pleased with the film and gave their permission.
Unbeknownst to most parade watchers, Edmund Gwenn played Santa Claus in the actual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade held on November 28, 1946. He fulfilled the duties of most parade Santas, including addressing the crowd from Macy’s marquee after it was over.
White Christmas (1954)
“If you’re worried and you can’t sleep, count your blessings instead of sheep.” – Bob Wallace (Bing Crosby)
December 20, 2020 – Hot toddy chocolate truffle
Inspiration
This film is a classic and we wanted to craft a flavor that reflected our longing for a white Christmas (although the guests and performers in Pine Tree, Vermont had a much better shot at a snowy holiday than we do here in Austin, Texas.) We were inspired to craft a truffle after the hot toddy, a cocktail traditionally drunk before retiring for the night or to alleviate the chill associated with cold weather. As Christmas draws near, we hope this expertly blended chocolate will summon a sense of cheer and maybe even the inclination to put on some vintage holiday music.
Flavor
A chilly winter night would not be complete without a hot toddy reimagined into a decadent chocolate truffle. Our hot toddy truffle is a beautiful blend of white chocolate, the sweet and tart taste of apple cider, and dark woody notes of whisky. Layers of fresh nutmeg and lemon come through at the end for a finish that perfectly emulates the warmth of this classic winter cocktail.
Trivia
This is the third of three films to feature Bing Crosby singing “White Christmas”. The other two are Holiday Inn (1942) and Blue Skies (1946). The Vermont inn is the remodeled Connecticut inn set from Bing Crosby’s earlier movie Holiday Inn. In White Christmas, the recycled hotel set is very gray, and appears not to have been repainted in new colors. Since Holiday Inn was a black & white film, the sets were probably originally painted in grayscale, as color palette schemes would have been a waste of resources in 1942.
The Year without Santa Claus (1974)
“They call me the Heat Miser. Whatever I touch starts to melt in my clutch. I’m too much.” – Heat Miser
December 19, 2020 – Mexican mole chocolate truffle
Inspiration
Every Christmas as a child, my brother and I were glued to the television watching these animated holiday classics. Even today, it just doesn’t feel like Christmas unless I watch, along with Rudolph, Frosty, and Charle Brown’s Christmas – just having it on in the background as I bake cookies and trim the tree brings back nostalgia feels of the holidays.
For a girl from the Northeast, where Christmas was often accompanied by white fields and snowball fights, living in the South can present challenges. Getting into the holiday spirit when Christmas Day can be as warm as 75 degrees can be difficult! We felt that this quote from the Heat Miser inspired a spicy flavor from the South, landing on a Mexican mole chocolate truffle.
Flavor
Our Mexican mole truffle takes our Chocolatier over a week to handcraft, making it a labor of patience and attention to detail. This truffle features a blend of 8 types of peppers, 6 spices, and 4 different nut pastes. Encased in 71% bittersweet chocolate, the smoky and decadent blend provides an all-around spicy heat feeling on the palate.
Trivia
The story is based on Phyllis McGinley’s 1956 book of the same name. This Christmas stop motion animated television special was originally broadcast on December 10, 1974. The film was Shirley Booth’s final acting credit as she retired from acting after its completion.
The Nutcracker and the Four Realms (2018)
“It’s Christmas Eve. A time of mystery, expectations, who knows what might happen.” – Drosselmeyer
December 18, 2020 – Lebkuchen chocolate truffle
Inspiration
We wanted to honor the origins of this film based on the world-famous holiday ballet. The story contains plenty of inspiration for whimsical flavors with all the magical characters and rich scenery. Ultimately we decided on a lebkuchen chocolate truffle to pay homage to the Nutcracker’s native country of Germany. Similar to gingerbread, lebkuchen is a honey sweetened cake or bar cookie that has long been a part of Germany’s Christmas traditions.
Flavor
Our lebkuchen chocolate truffle is a mix of cream, fruit, and warm spices designed for savoring on a cold winter’s day. Rich white chocolate is expertly blended with baking spices. Anise, allspice, and cloves add a warmth reminiscent of a kitchen filled with the smell of holiday pastries. In the center you’ll encounter raisins and pineapple, adding layers of sun-dried sweetness and tropical notes to the truffle.
Trivia
In the book and ballet, the Nutcracker is a man who was transformed into a wooden robot by an evil spell, and relies on Marie/Clara to help him break his curse, similar to “Beauty and the Beast”. In this movie, Captain Phillip Hoffman (Jayden Fowora-Knight) is called a Nutcracker soldier, but appears as an ordinary man with no wooden qualities and no story about a curse.
December 17, 2020 – Butterscotch mocha chocolate truffle
Inspiration
This family comedy film captures the hectic energy parents often feel around making sure a kid’s Christmas is a memorable and joyful day. While the toy crazes of the 80s and 90s like Cabbage Patch Kids and Tickle Me Elmo may seem like a long time ago, today’s world of online shopping comes with its own stress as we track order numbers and hope everything will arrive with plenty of time to spare. Today’s flavor was inspired by the need for a pick me up many of us experience mid-way through December as we balance work, family, and holiday celebrations.
Flavor
The butterscotch mocha truffle is designed to give you a boost in a bite of decadent chocolate. Taste the buttery richness of thick butterscotch and luscious coffee in this unique treat. Creamy milk chocolate is blended with freshly brewed espresso, a dash of ground cinnamon, and molasses-like butterscotch. Inspired by a steamy cup of caramelized latte on a cold winter’s day.
Trivia
The Turbo Man television show that Jamie (Jake Lloyd) watches at the beginning of the film was a parody of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (1993). The story is based on the 1980s shopping frenzy over the Cabbage Patch dolls. However, it ended up perfectly mimicking the Tickle Me Elmo craze of Christmas 1996.
Christmas Vacation
“Can I refill your eggnog for you? Get you something to eat? Drive you out to the middle of nowhere…” -Clark Griswold
December 16, 2020 – Eggnog chocolate truffle
Inspiration
This is a favorite Christmas movie in my house and we watch it every December once we’re all gathered together for the holidays. For this truffle we wanted a flavor that reflected an element of a “fun old-fashioned family Christmas”. Spiked eggnog makes two key appearances in this movie, and fits perfectly with finding the tree that exceeds all expectations, decorating the house to excess, and of course hosting family with all their quirks and eccentricities.
Flavor
Our eggnog truffle is dedicated to the classic winter beverage of holiday meals. The velvety white chocolate ganache features a rich and warm blend of eggnog and nutmeg. A dash of rum adds a surprisingly pleasant kick to the finish. Today’s flavor is designed to leave you daydreaming of happy gatherings with friends and family.
Trivia
After failing to get the Christmas lights to work one last time, Clark Griswold takes his frustration out on the plastic decorations in the front yard. Chevy Chase actually broke his pinky finger while punching Santa Claus. He resorts to kicking and clubbing the decorations after that. The film kept rolling, and the take was used.
A Christmas Story
“But it was gone, all gone! No turkey! No turkey sandwiches! No turkey salad! No turkey gravy!” – Ralphie
December 15, 2020 – Turkey & gravy chocolate truffle
Inspiration
I had never heard of this holiday movie until my husband and I celebrated our first Christmas together. TBS was playing their 24 hours of ‘A Christmas Story’ and we watched it 10 times straight! Hailing from the mid-west, Chicago specifically, you could see the pure nostalgic delight in his eyes as he watched this movie over and over again, pointing out mid-west inspired scenes reminding him of home. It has now become our family movie tradition on Christmas Day. Aside from the pink bunny pajamas scene, which I just couldn’t think of a flavor for, our second favorite scene is the turkey dinner disaster resulting in a Chinese “turkey” dinner at Chop Suey Palace. We just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to create a turkey and gravy flavor for Ralphie!
Flavor
Turkey & gravy chocolate truffle is covered in a dark chocolate shell. At the center of this chocolate truffle you’ll find a creamy white chocolate infused with turkey seasonings of herbs and creamy brown gravy. It’s a perfect combination of rich and savory.
*contains no meat
Trivia
In 2005 the original home used for the exterior shots of the family home was put up for auction, and avid fan of the movie Brian Jones purchased it for $150,000. Jones then spent the following year restoring the home to the way it looked on screen. On November 25, 2006, the home finally opened its doors as a tourist attraction. Jones spent close to $500,000 in preparation for this grand opening. In addition, he also purchased the house next door and converted it to a gift shop and museum dedicated to the film and the house.
December 14, 2020 – Angel food cake chocolate truffle
Inspiration
Nominated for five Academy Awards and recognized by the American Film Institute as one of the 100 best American films ever made, we just had to include this holiday movie in our advent calendar. We also wanted to pick a truffle flavor that best captured the heartwarming spirit of the story. Guardian angel Clarence’s mission to help George Bailey realize his significance to the town of Bedford Falls gave us the perfect inspiration.
Flavor
Our angel food cake truffle features creamy and rich milk chocolate. It’s a nostalgic taste from childhood infused with grown up sophistication. Angel food cake gets its name from its texture, which is said to be so light that angels could eat it and still fly without being weighed down.The fluffiness of angel food cake is the centerpiece of today’s truffle, but how we managed to infuse chocolate with such a delicate texture will have to remain a secret.
Trivia
For the scene that required Donna Reed to throw a rock through the window of the Granville house, director Frank Capra hired a marksman to shoot it out on cue. To everyone’s amazement, Reed broke the window by herself. She had played baseball in high school and had a strong throwing arm.
December 13, 2020 – Peppermint cocoa chocolate truffle
Inspiration
Animated films like this one bring out a sense of magic and holiday cheer that inspired us to turn towards a classic winter flavor. The playful scene where all the children aboard the mysterious train are served hot chocolate by singing waiters led us to craft a truffle that captures one of the tastiest beverages of the winter season- peppermint cocoa! As delightful and crisp as the first snowfall, this chocolate truffle is a reminder of childhood days spent eagerly awaiting Santa’s visit.
Flavor
Our peppermint cocoa truffle features rich semisweet chocolate for a beautifully balanced flavor. The ganache is studded with fresh peppermint and fluffy marshmallows for a bite that’s both intense and satisfyingly sweet. Today’s truffle will make you want to curl up in front of a warm fire with a good book and cup of hot cocoa.
Trivia
The film is listed in the 2006 Guinness Book of World Records as the “first all-digital capture” film, where all acted parts were done in digital capture. The film used 3D motion capture techniques to digitally record the actors’ physical performances before “skinning” them with their animated forms. The children’s roles were acted by adults, using oversized props to get the movement right.
Christmas in Connecticut (1945)
“I’m still catching up with my nourishment. Have a drumstick….Cold chicken is my weakness.”
December 12, 2020 – Fried chicken chocolate truffle
Inspiration
There are so many dishes to choose from in this classic holiday romantic comedy. Many of the dishes Felix creates for Elizabeth would have been the perfect inspiration for a chocolate truffle. Ultimately we decided to go with something that’s been a long standing favorite in American kitchens- fried chicken! It also reflects the culinary scene of our home city of Austin, Texas, where there’s plenty of options when it comes to flavorful fried chicken.
Flavor
In our fried chicken truffle you’ll experience a quintessential element of southern comfort dining. Milk chocolate is perfectly balanced with fried chicken spices, local honey, and a hint of cayenne. All this seasoned goodness is enrobed in dark chocolate for a smooth and savory finish.
*contains no meat
Trivia
This was one of the first films to benefit from the “post-war euphoria” that gripped America in 1945. Despite being released in August (rather than a more logical holiday-time release) this grossed a then impressive $3 million, making it one of the year’s most successful movies.
The Santa Clause (1994)
“And one of those homemade cookies, the warm chocolate chip. No nuts … Anything to drink? Ice cold milk.” – Scott Calvin as Santa Claus
December 11, 2020 – Cookie dough chocolate truffle
Inspiration
Growing up in the time of Tim “The Toolman” Taylor who wouldn’t include The Santa Claus movie on their list?!? Santa’s favorite holiday treat was the inspiration for today’s truffle flavor. Many of us have fond memories of leaving milk and cookies out for old Saint Nick. Plus, it provided the perfect way to showcase the newest form of chocolate couverture on the market – Gold chocolate.
Flavor
In our cookie dough chocolate truffle, gold chocolate is infused with fragrant vanilla beans and delicious chocolate chips–with absolutely no nuts included. Gold chocolate has a caramel chocolate taste, with rich notes of toffee and cream and a unique pale amber hue. Take a bite and look inside. It looks just like chocolate chip cookie dough!
Trivia
For one week in November 1994, Tim Allen had the #1 movie at the box office (this movie), the #1 rated television show (Home Improvement (1991)), and the #1 New York Times best-selling book (“Don’t Stand Too Close to a Naked Man”).
Filming took place in Toronto during the summer, even though the film is supposed to take place in the wintry Chicago suburbs.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
“It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes, or bags.” -The Grinch
December 10, 2020 – Cherry pistachio chocolate truffle
Inspiration
Today’s flavor is inspired by the unmistakable verdant hue of the Grinch. The red and green shades of Grinch masquerading as Santa Claus made us want to play with ingredients that add a pop of color and flavor to our chocolate. This is a truffle fit for both the joyful residents of Whoville and their ill tempered neighbor on the mountain.
Flavor
The cherry pistachio truffle brings together two ingredients we love. We selected pistachio for the subtle notes and satisfying crunch it brings to the creamy white chocolate. Cherry adds a bright and fruity layer to this confection for a delightful combination.
Trivia
In the 2000 movie the prosthetic make-up Jim Carrey wore took about two hours to apply and one hour to remove. It is rumored that Carrey felt so confined and uncomfortable in the latex skin that he sought counselling from a CIA agent who taught him torture-resistance techniques.
December 9, 2020 – Char’coal’ goose chocolate truffle
Inspiration
I love Charles Dickens’ novels and grew up reading almost every single one – A Christmas Carol was one of my favorites. With so many different versions of the movie created, it was a ‘must-have’ on our list of holiday flixs. Throughout the story, there is a recurring theme of Scrooge as a miser, best illustrated by only allowing Cratchit to use 1 piece of coal daily. When the Ghost of Christmas Present takes Scrooge to watch the Cratchit family’s Christmas dinner, they are seen enjoying a roasted goose. The blending of the two concepts led us to create a char’coal’ goose chocolate truffle to represent this movie.
Flavor
Our Char’coal’ goose chocolate truffle is draped in rich 71% bittersweet chocolate infused with charcoal seasonings and flavorful dry rubs. The luscious caramel blended into the center elevates the flavor profile and adds hints of smokiness on the finish.
* contains no meat
Trivia
Scrooge was likely based on a real person named John Meggot, who was a local celebrity, a member of Parliament, and a famous miser from Charles Dickens’ part of England. Meggot was dead by the time Dickens was born, but he heard quite a bit about “Scrooge” from locals where he grew up.
December 8, 2020 – Banoffee pie chocolate truffle
Inspiration
This heartwarming film is all about our entanglements with other people– as well as learning to accept the quirks and unexpected discoveries we find in each other. Juliet’s pie offering as a symbol of goodwill and friendship led us to craft one of our more unusual blends in this advent calendar– banana and toffee.
Flavor
Our Banoffee pie truffle showcases the subtle and suave flavor of fine white chocolate. The center is infused with the tropical notes of fresh banana puree to compliment white chocolate’s buttery texture. Luscious caramel adds the taste of toasted brown sugar and baked bread to bring you an English dessert pie in the form of an artisanal truffle.
Trivia
The airport greeting footage at the beginning and end of this movie is real. Writer and director Richard Curtis had a team of cameramen film at Heathrow airport for a week, and whenever they saw something that would fit in they asked the people involved for permission to use the footage.
December 7, 2020 – Ambrosia chocolate truffle
Inspiration
The whimsical and highly detailed animation of Frozen inspired us to make a truffle that embodies the delight of childhood memories of wonder and magic. The wintery landscape is reminiscent of Norway, where a common dessert is a fruit salad called heavenly stew (himmelsk lapskaus) featuring fruit and nuts. Nicole blended inspirations from Norway’s heavenly stew and the fruit salads that often grace holiday meals in the United States for a truffle fit for any magical character.
Flavor
The ambrosia truffle features pineapples and cherries for fresh and vibrant notes in the smooth milk chocolate. Coconut enlivens the ganache with a taste of the tropical, while the marshmallow in the center brings the sensation of lightness for whimsical delight.
Trivia
In a magazine interview, Idina Menzel claimed her young son boasted to his classmates that his mom sings the songs in Frozen. To this, another child replied, “So does everyone else’s.”
December 6, 2020 – Hickory ham chocolate truffle
Inspiration
This quirky and chaotic comedy about a couple that decides to skip Christmas gave us the perfect reason to blend smokey and savory flavors into this unique truffle. Nicole’s passion for blending unusual ingredients into our fine chocolates exemplifies her creativity to handcraft a chocolate truffle that reflects one of the central dishes of a family Christmas dinner- hickory ham!
Flavor
Our hickory ham truffle has a creamy milk chocolate center infused with a blend of savory seasonings and herbs. A hint of onion highlights the cured ham (vegan) that sits in the center of the ganache for a smoked finish with a slight bite.
*contains no meat, cured ham is plant based and vegan
Trivia
The film is based on John Grisham’s book “Skipping Christmas.” The title was changed to avoid confusion with the movie Surviving Christmas (also released in 2004).
During filming, it was reported that the cast and crew had ingested over 10 pounds of fake snow.
December 5, 2020 – Christmas pudding chocolate truffle
Inspiration
2020 has been full of unexpected turns, with limitations on international travel being one of them. This film gave us the perfect excuse to turn to a classic British dessert for a truffle that evokes the dream of a holiday getaway across the Atlantic to a charming English cottage covered in snow.
Flavor
Our Christmas pudding truffle is brimming with classic winter ingredients. Encased in smooth milk chocolate, orange zest and plum mingle beautifully with brandy and baking spices. Molasses brings a full bodied sweetness to the finish.
Trivia
This film was written specifically with Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, and Jack Black in mind.
Iris’ (Kate Winslet’s) tiny cottage is contrasted to Amanda’s (Cameron Diaz’s) stunning house, but in reality, thanks to UK property prices, an unspoiled cottage like that in a good location could easily be worth £1 million, not far off $2 million.
Sleepless in Seattle (1993)
“Destiny is something we’ve invented because we can’t stand…that everything that happens is accidental.” -Annie Reed
December 4, 2020 – Tiramisu chocolate truffle
Inspiration
It’s difficult to remember a time when tiramisu didn’t have a spot on nearly every Italian dessert menu. In 2020, it’s hard to understand Sam’s response to Jay’s mention of the food. Back in 1993, it wasn’t something you’d easily find in American restaurants. The food was so unknown that TriStar Pictures, the distributor of Sleepless in Seattle, reportedly received 25-30 phone calls per day from moviegoers asking the meaning of the joke. Meaning ‘pick me up’ or ‘cheer me up’, this coffee-flavored dessert is a nod to 90s holiday nostalgia and the Italian heritage of our chef owner, Nicole Patel.
Flavor
Its origins may be disputed but its place as a quintessential Italian dessert is not. Our Tiramisu chocolate truffle provides within the dark chocolate shell a sweet, velvety ganache of creamy white chocolate. Mascarpone cheese, a shot of espresso, Marsala wine, and Ceylon cinnamon are blended together for a bite of rich decadence.
Trivia
Tom Hanks simultaneously did voice work for the character of Woody in “Toy Story” (1995) during his days off from filming.
The role of Annie was originally offered to Julia Roberts, who turned it down. After Michelle Pfeiffer, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Jodie Foster declined as well, Meg Ryan landed the role.
Scrooged (1988)
“For a couple of hours out of the whole year, we are the people that we always hoped we would be.” -Frank Cross
December 3, 2020 – Cigar port chocolate truffle
Inspiration
This modern retelling of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens follows a misanthropic and egotistical television executive who’s visited by a series of ghosts to rekindle his holiday spirit. The high pressure Frank is under to produce a holiday show led us to combine two unique ingredients as a reminder to relax and savor this holiday season with loved ones.
Flavor
Our Cigar port truffle features a bold 71% bittersweet chocolate to balance the cigar infused filling for a subtle, smoky flavor. Raisins add a welcome sweetness to the ganache to heighten the complex plum and cherry notes of the port wine. The layers of sweet, smoky, and fruit-forwardness lead up to a slight tingling finish from the tobacco.
Trivia
Filming began in December, 1987. With Christmas approaching, director Richard Donner asked if the production could have Christmas Day off. But “Paramount Pictures” executives refused, insisting that filming should continue on Christmas Day. However, Donner outwitted them. At the end of the day on December 24, 1987, he officially fired the entire cast and crew. Two days later, on December 26, he officially re-hired everyone. The break allowed the cast and crew members to spend Christmas with their families.
Home Alone (1990)
“Bless this highly nutritious … dinner and the people who sold [it] on sale. Amen.” – Kevin McCallister
December 2, 2020 – Mac & cheese chocolate truffle
Inspiration
We love the creative one-liners in this movie. Growing up in the 90’s, my brother and I loved the Home Alone movies, watching the original every Christmas. And this quote leads to the most creative flavor ever, we just couldn’t pass up the opportunity!
Flavor
Our mac & cheese chocolate truffle features white chocolate infused with creamy cheddar cheese that cuts through the sweet white chocolate and presents itself as a piquant cheddar cheese sauce. A delectable mix of savory and sweet that allows the virtues of fine white chocolate to shine through.
Trivia
Macaulay Culkin’s stunt double was a very short 30-year-old man.
The line “You guys give up, or are you thirsty for more?” was improvised.
Catherine O’Hara revealed in 2014 that Macaulay Culkin still calls her “Mom”.
December 1, 2020 – Pumpkin spice chocolate truffle
Inspiration
The spooky aesthetics of Tim Burton’s stop-motion animated musical inspired us with the perfect way to start off our Advent calendar with a flavor that perfectly captures the transition between fall and winter- pumpkin spice! We took this opportunity to give a playful tribute to the misguided Pumpkin King attempting to reignite his love for all things ghostly.
Flavor
Our Pumpkin spice chocolate truffle features creamy milk chocolate that surrounds a special blend of mulling spices and pumpkin puree. Enjoy the creamy milk chocolate on your palate, as the woody flavor of cinnamon and cloves awakens your taste buds. Earthy notes of pumpkin puree intertwine with the sweet milk chocolate, with hints of gingered spice on the finish.
Trivia
Tim Burton said the original poem that provided the foundation for the film was inspired after seeing Halloween merchandise display in a store being taken down and replaced by a Christmas display. The juxtaposition of ghouls and goblins with Santa and his reindeer sparked his imagination. It took a group of around 100 people three years to complete the film. For one second of film, up to 12 stop-motion moves had to be made.