Yup, it's just a dressed up marshmallow on a stick...but, with Valentine's Day just around the corner, these sweet puffs of goo are sure to be a hit in the classroom or at the office. This is a quick, easy, an inexpensive recipe that you and the kids can enjoy making. All you need is a bag of large marshmallows, white chocolate for melting, red food coloring, sprinkles and toppings, and lollipop sticks. These marshmallow lollipops don't just need to be for Valentine's Day, they are great for any holiday theme or party. This recipe can be easily modified. For example, try melting milk or dark chocolate or Carmel for dipping, if using the white chocolate you can create any color of the rainbow with food coloring, and instead of lollipop sticks you can use anything from pretzel sticks to candy canes. Instead of sprinkles try nuts or coconut..basically anything that will stick. You can set them upside down on a pretty plate, display them in a clear glass, or wrap the up in clear bags ties with a bow. Have fun getting creative and make this recipe your own!

Maple sugaring season in New England is a sure sign that spring is on it's way. The sweet smell of pure maple syrup permeates the air as residence and visitors make their way to one or more of the many maple sugar shacks in New England. Generating nearly 500,000 gallons of maple sugar per year, Vermont is the largest producer of maple syrup in New England and in the United States. New Hampshire produces approximately 90,000 gallons of maple syrup per year followed by Massachusetts who produces about 50,000 gallons of maple syrup per year.

Sugaring in New England was first discovered by the American Indians and was later taught by the Indians to New England's first English settlers. This Indians called this candied sap, "sinzibukwod" which translates to "sweet buds". The Indians used maple syrup as an ingredient in their stews, teas, breads, and even vegetables.  Cooking with maple syrup is still popular today. It is used in everything from maple baked beans to maple ice cream.

The procedure for making syrup hasn't alter much over time. A metal pipe or spile is driven about 2-1/2" deep into the trunk of a Sugar Maple or Hard Maple tree. A bucket is then hung just below the pipe to catch the sap as it's flow starts and stops. In order to get a suitable flow, a Sugar Maple's trunk needs to be about 10-12 inches in diameter. It usually takes a Maple 40-45 years to grow to this girth. Unbelievably, it takes anywhere between 40-43 gallons of sap to make just one gallon of pure maple syrup.

Valentine's day is just around the corner and what comes to mind is strawberries, champagne, and ...CHOCOLATE!!! Check out the links to our listing below to discover some of the best candy stores and chocolate boutiques and emporiums  in New England. Don't see yours here? Let us know.

What does the kind of chocolate you like say about you. Find out The Hidden Meaning of Chocolates.

New England's Top Ten

Athan's Bakery:  Brookline, MA

Handmade confectionery containing natural ingredients, liqueurs, preserved fruits, nuts, and couverture. YUM...from molded chocolates filled with velvety ganache, dark Amarena cherries, dulce de leche caramel, almond nougat, candied oranges or figs, peanut butter, date and homemade marzipan to hand rolled truffles, chocolate dipped strawberries.

Beacon Hill Chocolates:  Boston, MA

Imported artisan chocolates from chocolate producers all around the world. Online purchasing available.

Chocolee Chocolates:  Boston, MA

Homemade artisian chocolate, truffles, and bark. Favorites include dark chocolate with salted caramel, dark chocolate with sesame caramel, dark chocolate with bourbon cherry and honey filling, and the dark chocolate with chocolate ganache and candied ginger. Chocolee will also custom design chocolates to order. 

"Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get" Perhaps, but not so much when it comes to love, at least according to an article from Couple's Company.  Are you the dependable, stable kind or the daredevil, with a love for life on the edge ? Find out what chocolate says about you. With Valentine's Day just around the corner, check out some of New England's best chocolate boutiques and candy stores. 

What Flavor or Type of Chocolate Do You Like ?  

The flavor chocolate you prefer reveals your core personality.

If you like Milk Chocolate ...

You are a kid at heart ! There's an innocence about you that others adore. You are very nostalgic but have tendency to live too much in the past. 

If you like Dark Chocolate ...

You are the problem solver ! Always looking ahead, you are a true visionary. You have a love and appreciation for worldly things but can be materialistic at times.

If you like Bitter Chocolate ...

You are the connoisseur ! You are authoritative and well respected by many.  You are determined and unwavering but often inflexible and stubborn.

If you like White Chocolate ...

You are the eternal peace keeper ! You seek truth and fairness in the world and with others. Keeping all options open, you rarely close any doors,  occasionally making you a bit of a fence straddler.

If you like All Chocolate ...

You are the social butterfly! Always hip and well liked by others, you are flexible and know how to roll with the punches. You seek to please but can loose sight of yourself from time to time in doing so.

More Holiday Recipes

I thought these mice were just the cutest little critters and had to share! I particularly liked the sweet cherry tail. Pretty simple to make and a great, inexpensive holiday activity to do with kids and family. For more great holiday cookie and dessert recipes as well as other holiday cooking and dinner ideas check out Taste of Home...nice site with lots of helpful iinformation!