Sunday, July 17, 2011

"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:
I'm using Rafflecopter to facilitate this giveaway! Simply click on "Click for Instructions", complete the task, and then click "I Did This." Then enter your name and email address. Do this for each task you wish to complete! Please note: if you clear your cookies, the form will reset and you will not be able to do daily tweets/votes.

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




Thanks for entering and good luck!

47 comments:

  1. DEFINITELY the sea salt caramels! YUMMY!!

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  2. Oh, the vegan sea salt caramels would be my fav. Since I had to give up dairy, I had given up on yummy caramel!!

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  3. mmm. it all looks so good. I'd love to try the vegan rocky road.
    andrealeighb@live.com

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  4. The vegan masala turtles, because they're cute AND tasty looking!

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  5. Vegan Masala Turtles adorable!
    newlanjoyatgmaildotcom

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  6. I want to try the vegan sample pack!

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  7. the sea salt caramels.


    Judy
    magnolias_1[at]msn[dot]com

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  8. sea salt caramels

    jcwga@hotmail.com

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  9. The Vegan Sea Salt Caramel "Milk" chocolate
    jenhedger at hotmail dot com

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  10. I'd LOVE to taste their Vegan Sea Salt Caramel "Milk" - Can you say YUMMY!!!
    jill24295@yahoo.com

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  11. The 5 pc. Colorado Spirit Chocolates look delicious!

    mew1121@yahoo.com

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  12. I think the dark chocolate sea salt caramels would be my favorite! I love the combo of sweet and salty. Though the turtles are so cute!

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  13. I would love to try the milk vegan sea salt caramels
    babybensmama at yahoo dot com

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  14. Without a doubt, I would love to try the Vegan Rocky Road.

    Thanks so much for the chance to win!!

    ~Ola Jaggers
    okj83 at live dot com

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  15. the Vegan Gourmellows sound sooooo good!!

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  16. I'd love to try the Rocky Road!

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  17. GAWD I *hate* Rafflecopter!!
    About two thirds of the time it won't load at all.....and today it's giving me this stupid message "oh noes I messed up" over and over.

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  18. Vegan Sea Salt Caramel *Milk* yumm yumm

    bakergurl02 (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  19. I would probably have to try the sample pack. What better way to find out what's best? ^_^

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  20. The Sea salt Caramel sounds yumi-lish!! Made my mouth water just looking at them!

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  21. I'd love to try the Vegan Sea Salt Caramel "Milk".

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  22. Vegan Sea Salt Caramel "Dark"

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  23. I would most love to try the 5 pc Colorado Spirit Chocolates because they look so pretty and are such neat flavors!
    Thank you for the giveaway :)
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

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  24. You had me at Sea Salt Caramels. I want them! carriethegood(At)gmail(dotcom)

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  25. my fave item has to be the vegan masala turtles http://www.etsy.com/listing/75445556/vegan-masala-turtles

    musicalkms at gmail dot com

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  26. The Sea Salt Caramels look delicious

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  27. Sea salt caramels. Pretty much for life. My mouth is watering!

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  28. The vegan rocky road looks especially yummy!

    marija.majerle at gmail dot com

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  29. The Vegan Gianduja Towers look good

    sswpss at yahoo dot com

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  30. ohhhh the vegan masala turtles look divine!
    pkeintz@gmail.com

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  31. The Vegan Sea Salt Caramel "Milk" looks so good!!

    larkspurpurple (at) gmail.com

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  32. Dark Sea Salt Caramel for sure!

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  33. If I were to try a product, it would probably be the dark chocolate sea salt truffles! :)

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  34. I would love to try Chocolate covered Mediterraneo Vegan Nougat.

    sstrode at scrtc dot com

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  35. I would love to try the the vegan sea salt caramels.

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  36. My favorite treat is Vegan Sea Salt Caramel "Dark."
    athomas0503 (at) aol (dot) com

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  37. Vegan Sea Salt Caramels! Yummy!
    Thanks!

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  38. I would love Vegan Masala Turtles
    twinkle(at)optonline.net

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  39. the vegan gourmellows

    pokergrl8 at gmail.com

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  40. I love the Three nut Vegan Nougat

    Thank you for hosting this giveaway

    Louis
    pumuckler {at} gmail {dot} com

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  41. I would like to try the Vegan Gianduja Towers.
    elena.cacahuete(at)gmail(dot)com

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  42. Everything looks so good, it's hard to decide!! I guess I would have to go with the 5 pc. Colorado Spirit Chocolates as they seem to be the most unique item in the shop.
    the_outsider01AThotmailDOTcom

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