Cacao Nibs and Espresso Bean Fudge - and a $75 Lindt Chocolate Giveaway! {Giveaway Closed}

Birthday month continues, continues, continues....

Everyone still with me? We still good? Tight? Thick as thieves?

Ready for one more delicious giveaway?

Birthday month wouldn't be birthday month without chocolate. I mean, HELLO? Birthdays and chocolate are practically synonymous, if not totally, so let's go out with a bang. 

Chocolate is one of my most favourite indulgences. I know. BIG SURPRISE there. In saying this, because I like you all so much and want to show you what a good friend I can be AM, I'm treating you to one of my favourites.

So, who's up to noshing on $75 worth of fabulous Lindt Chocolate? I know, it's such an imposition to ask of you. Oh, and not to pressure you, but Easter is coming up. You know all those lush chocolate bunnies in their gorgeous golden attire that are just asking to have their ears nibbled off? You could create your own little colony of bunnies. Zero judgement here. If that doesn't tickle your fancy, there's always beautiful bags of Lindor truffles or bars of silky, velvety chocolate goodness. 

Wanna win? Follow Rafflecopter prompts for your chance to.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
This is how this is going to go down: 

If you live in Canada, you'll receive a $75 gift card to use at a local Lindt/Sprungli Chocolatier retailer. NOTE: If you happen to live in an area that doesn't have a boutique close to you should you win, I'll be happy to arrange something with you (see below). Canadian residents will also need to answer a skill-testing question. 

If you live outside of Canada, you will receive $75 worth of Lindt/Sprungli chocolate. Don't worry, I'll make sure you are sent things you enjoy and not just stuff I'd eat. 

Contest will run from Thursday, February 26th to Thursday, March 5th and is open to - ah, what the heck, WORLDWIDE, friends. WORLD. WIDE. Chocolate is the language of love. Let's spread joy and happiness to all, except void where prohibited and must be of legal age to win. Sorry. Even I have limitations. 

No purchase required to win. 

Good Luck!

Oh, and THIS fudge, friends. 

Because chocolate. 

Obvi.

CACAO NIBS AND ESPRESSO BEAN FUDGE

2 cups dark, quality chocolate, chopped into bits* - like Lindt

7 ounce tub marshmallow creme

5 ounces evaporated milk

2½ cups granulated sugar

½ cup Stirling Creamery Unsalted Butter, cut into small pieces

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

¼ teaspoon espresso powder

Pinch of salt

¼ cup cacao nibs

4 tablespoons espresso beans, roughly chopped

*You can absolutely use chocolate chips for this recipe. Just make sure to use a quality chip. 

Prepare an 8-inch square baking dish by lining with aluminum foil.

In a large, heat-safe bowl, add in chopped chocolate, marshmallow creme, vanilla, espresso powder, and pinch of salt; set aside.

In a medium saucepan, warm up milk slightly, then add sugar. Crank heat to medium-high and bring sugar mixture to a full boil, stirring constantly. Once mixture is at a full boil, reduce heat to medium and continue with a steady, rolling boil. If you have a candy thermometer, it should reach 235º. If you don't have one, clock watch and boil for 7-8 minutes, but NO LONGER than 8 minutes. Trust me, it's not as scary as you think. If you can brown butter, you can so do this. I believe in you! Once desired time or temperature has been reached, remove from heat and add butter. Stir only until incorporated. 

Immediately pour sugar mixture into chocolate mixture. Do not scrape the bottom or sides of the saucepan when doing so or you'll end up with awful crystallized sugar bits in your fudge. Just pour as much as you can into the chocolate. 

Using a wooden spoon, stir mixture until all components are fully incorporated and melted. 

Pour into prepared baking dish, using an offset spatula to ensure an even surface. Generously sprinkle cacao nibs and crushed espresso beans over top and place in refrigerator to firm up; about two hours. Once chilled, remove foil from bottom and cut into bite-sized pieces.

Enjoy!


Disclosure - I received this generous gift card courtesy of friends at Lindt/Sprungli (Thanks Elizabeth!) As always, I will not endorse products I don't believe in or do not use myself. Any and all opinions are always my own.