L.A. Burdick Chocolate Chocolate Pastries

Once upon a time in a small house, a penguin and a mouse lived in perfect harmony… How can that be? Have you ever tried any of the luscious chocolates made by L.A. Burdick Chocolate?  If you have, you know what I’m talking about.  If you don’t, you have got to try them.

L.A. Burdick Chocolate French Macarons

L.A. Burdick Chocolate has dedicated their existence to making the finest bonbons, pastries and candy in the United States.  They use only the freshest ingredients from around the world and make their bonbons the old-fashioned, artisan way – they hand-pipe and hand-cut them all.  They use no chocolate molds and no preservatives in their bonbons, pastries and confections.

L.A. Burdick Chocolate Harvard Square

Larry Burdick’s philosophy – “I’ve tried to combine a French gastronomic sensibility with Swiss know-how, and American imagination.”  Philosophy received and understood.  I was lucky enough to experience a lovely selection of L.A. Burdick Chocolate bonbons recently and, quite honestly, that was not only the highlight of my day on that particular day, but I planned my day around eating these chocolates in one sitting.  Mission accomplished.

L.A. Burdick Chocolate Chocolate Penguins

Let me tell you about some of the magnificent creations L.A. Burdick Chocolate created for me… Our story started out with the penguin and the mouse.  Exquisite little creatures demanding you attention as soon as the box was opened.  The Chocolate Penguin, in all of his glory, was filled with a dark whipped lemon ganache (a huge surprise), his little flippers were made of almonds, and his ensemble was complete with the addition of a dark and white chocolate tuxedo.  He was too cute to eat, but somehow I got over it and ate his mate as well.

L.A. Burdick Chocolate Mice

Mice usually travel in a group and this is no exception.  The mice come in dark, milk and white chocolate.  I thought all of the ganaches would be the same, but no!  Another surprise.  The dark mouse was filled with chocolate ganache infused with freshly squeezed orange juice and covered in dark chocolate.  The milk mouse was made up of milk and dark chocolate ganache infused with espresso and covered in milk chocolate. The white mouse, she was my favorite.  She was made of dark chocolate ganache infused with a touch of cinnamon and covered in milk chocolate.  All of their little ears were lovingly crafted from sliced almonds.  A little whimsy was added to the mice.  Mice need a tail after all…a nice, shiny, satin ribbon acted as the tail.

L.A. Burdick Chocolate Bonbons

My favorite truffle was the Honey Caramel Truffle.The honey was caramelized with herbs and a splash of vanilla and dusted in cocoa powder.  My taste buds were so happy they couldn’t stand it!  My favorite bonbon was the Richelieu which was a surprise.  I’m usually not a fan of cherries in chocolate, but this was positively sinful!  See top right of the photo to the left.  This bonbon was wrapped up like a present with lines of white chocolate acting as a ribbon and a cherry as a bow.  Inside, milk and dark chocolate ganache  with cherry liquor, cherries and cumin.  Yes, cumin!  Five stars out of four!  Other little bundles of joy in my box included Earl Grey (very nice) made of dark chocolate ganache with Earl Grey tea and just a dab of bergamot, Jaffa (just a hint) dark chocolate ganache whipped with freshly squeezed orange juice, and Pistache (subtle) a white chocolate ganache with pistachios, lavender and Herbs de Provence..

L.A. Burdick Chocolate Marzipan

The nice thing is that although there are nuts used in their shops, you may order boxes of chocolates without nuts or without alcohol.  They are completely accommodating to your needs and glad to do it.

L.A. Burdick Chocolate also offers fantastic chocolate bars, dipped fruits, pastries (including gluten free pastries), nougat (a favorite in my house), marzipan (another huge favorite at my house), hot chocolate and the most precious wedding favors that you’ve ever

L.A. Burdick Chocolate Nougat

seen.  L.A. Burdick Chocolate has three locations and you can shop online, so there’s no reason why you shouldn’t indulge in the luxury that only finely crafted, artisan chocolate can bring you. Shop at Walpole, NH, Cambridge, MA or New York, NY.

This is an outstanding muffin recipe not only for breakfast, but for tea or a snack too.  I’ve also used these to make mini-muffins.  A nice schmear of cream cheese, butter or Nutella and you’re good to go for hours!

Chocolate Orange Muffins

Makes 10 large muffins or 15 regular size muffins

Ingredients:
2 medium eating oranges (not juicing), well scrubbed & wiped dry
1 cup dark chocolate, chopped
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
2 large eggs
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1/2 – 3/4 c. fresh juice (from the oranges listed above)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups all-purpose flour

Directions:
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Grease muffin cups generously or use foil baking cups.

Finely grated orange peel. Try to take just the orange part. A little white pith will probably adhere. Using a wooden spoon or electric mixer, beat sugar and butter in large bowl until pale and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Add the orange peel. Add yogurt, orange juice, baking powder, baking soda and chocolate.  Mix well. Batter will be quite liquid. Sprinkle flour over batter. Fold gently, just enough to blend in the flour. Scoop the batter into the muffin cups. Fill the cups only 3/4 full since the batter rises.
Bake 15-25 minutes or until golden brown and springy to touch. Turn out onto rack to cool.

Chocolate Orange Muffins