"Made With Love" Event: DesiderioChocolates Review and Giveaway Ends 7/24 (US)

~This post is part of the handmade "Made With Love" event. All giveaways run from July 18th-24th. View all 29 sponsors on my blog and visit additional co-hosts for this event HERE~

About the Designer... 

Vanessa is originally from Rome, Italy and now resides in Longmont, Colorado. Here's a bit more about her and her shop...

 What do you make? European with a twist Chocolates and Confections, and I produce a vegan line as well. 

How did you get started? I always loved to bake. My parents also opened a restaurant and there I practiced my skills and techniques.
What inspires your creativity? I get inspired by many things, mostly smells, aromas textures in different foods. Walking down the aisle of a spice shop or health store. Deconstruct other desserts to create a chocolate. Sometimes my dreams :-)
How long have you been doing this? I have been making chocolates and confections for the market since 2005. 

Anything else? My background is in Industrial Design. My confections are my way to express my creativity.

Review...

Vegan treats with simple ingredients and an incredible taste. That's what I've found at DesiderioChocolates. I'm so thrilled to share this shop with you. My mouth is just watering over these yummy treats!

The Vegan Sea Salt Caramels are the most DELICIOUS dark chocolate-covered caramels I've EVER tasted. I'm quite fond of See's Candy, but THESE are WAY BETTER than anything they have there! Who knew vegan could taste so good? These have a very rich, unique caramel flavor. There is coconut milk and coconut oil in these caramels, but I actually don't taste the coconut. I think that's what gives them their rich flavor and tiny hints of a tropical or fruity undertone. The sprinkles of sea salt on the top bring the whole flavor of caramel and dark chocolate together for a wonderfully tasty treat. The caramel is chewy, but as Vanessa says on her Etsy description, they aren't sticky. They're PERFECT! There are 8 caramels per box and are also packaged in a 100% recyclable kraft box.

The Nougatissimo is a wonderful signature Vegan nougat. It's chewy and almost has the texture of taffy. They're filled with almonds, pistachios, organic vanilla beans, and organic orange zest. I can taste a hint of the orange in the nougat but the vanilla is the main flavor besides the nuts. The nougat is then dipped in dark chocolate (which is amazing of course!). These were delicious! If you enjoy nuts, you will love this nougat. Each small batch of 2 lbs has over 1 lb of nuts in it! The 100% recycled kraft bag I received had 1/4 lb of nougats, individually wrapped in biodegradable cellophane.

My friend and I sampled both of these together. It was so much fun! We came to the conclusion that we couldn't decide which one we liked best. We actually think they'd be great together as a candy bar! We're thinking a Nougat bottom, layer of caramel, dipped in dark chocolate, and sprinkled with sea salt! PERFECT! I'll be the first to order if Vanessa ever makes a candy bar like that! :)

Vanessa also has a "Milk" Chocolate Vegan Sea Salt Caramel, Vegan Rocky Road, Vegan Gourmellows and more! She even has a Vegan Sample Pack with a little of everything for you to try. I'm SO very impressed with DesiderioChocolates. These Vegan goodies belong in Whole Foods!!

~Exclusive Event Promotion~

Use code MadeWithLove to get 15% off!

Win it!

One winner will receive Vegan Sea Salt caramels and Three Nut Vegan Nougat! (You're going to fall over in your chair when you taste these!)

How to Enter:

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When you're done, go HERE to view all giveaways in this event!

Thanks for entering and good luck!