1-2 Buy Hawaii Snack Store in Pearl Kai Shopping Center

1-2 Buy Hawaii opened its second location earlier this year at the Pearl Kai Shopping
Center across from Queen’s Island Urgent Care. The shop specializes in its mass
selection of imported Asian snacks. The variety of snacks, candies, and drinks was very
impressive. The majority of the packaging is not in English so be sure to have your
google translate handy. I especially had fun looking through all the different flavors of
Lay’s chips.

Variety of chips

Different kinds of candies and gum.

This store is definitely worth the browse! They are open daily from 10am to 8:30pm.

1-2 Buy Hawaii
98-199 Kamehameha Hwy. Bldg. F, ‘Aiea

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Big Island Candies

Big Island Candies continues to be a go-to for cute gifts and thoughtful omiyage.  I recently visited the Ala Moana Center location for some omiyage.

I love the colorful packaging that can be re-used for all sorts of things, and they come out with special packaging and products at various times throughout the year (special occasions, holidays, etc.).

And I did pick up a box of their Milk Chocolate Macadmia Nut Covered Brownies too for myself (not pictured), because I love their brownies!

What's your favorite Big Island Candies product?

Big Island Candies
Ala Moana Center
1450 Ala Moana Blvd #1230

Honolulu, HI 96814

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Sweet Treats by Kris Opens at Pearlridge!

We’ve been fans of Sweet Treats by Kris from the beginning and we were so excited to hear about their new store at Pearlridge Mauka (formerly Uptown).  Unfortunately for us, we missed the grand opening celebrations this past weekend and when we arrived on Monday most of her baked goodies were out of stock.  Not to worry though! The walls were still lined with Maui Manjookies and Thin and Crispy Jerky Chips as well as those super popular lemon peel gummies!  We will be back for her yummy macarons! 

Maui Manjookies are perfect for holiday gifts!

 Even better paired up with one of the many flavors of the Thin and Crispy Jerky Chips!

Don’t forget to take a selfie before you go! 

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Visit Denver: Hammond's Candies Factory Tour

One of the highlights of our trip to Denver was the Hammond's Candies Factory Tour.

This free, 30-minute tour starts of with a short video of the history of Hammond's Candies, and then you are taken to viewing rooms where you can watch factory employees work their magic on sweet confections.

Our guide went into detail about what the employees were doing in the different rooms. We learned about what ingredients went into certain candies, and how they must cool, twist, and cut gigantic logs of candies down until they reach their desired shape and size.

It was very neat to watch, and so interesting to learn about how some of the treats are made.

At the end of the tour, each guest gets an "oops" (broken) Candy Cane.

And then if you wish, it's time to shop!

We bought A LOT of omiyage from Hammond's - chocolate bars, the popular Mitchel Sweets, and popcorn.

Such a "sweet" way to spend some time in Denver!

Hammond's Candies
5735 N. Washington Street
Denver, CO 80216

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Chef Mark Okumura's Caramelized Almond Dragees Recipe

I had so much fun at CookSpace Hawaii's Handmade Valentine's Candies class that I wanted to try my hand at the recipes when I got home.  Since I had a bag of almonds, I decided to make Chef Mark Okumura's Caramelized Almond Dragees recipe.

To start, you will need to bring 1 cup of sugar and 1/4 cup of water to a boil.  

Once you get it to 240 degrees or the soft ball stage, add 2 cups of whole almonds.  Keep stirring the nuts until they are all coated with sugar.  The sugar will begin to crystallize. 

Keep mixing until it caramelizes like this. 

Add a pinch of butter to the mix.  You want all the nuts to be separated.  The smell will be amazing!

Spread the nuts in a single layer on a sheet tray lined with parchment paper and let cool.  

In a bowl, stir nuts in melted chocolate.  If the first layer of chocolate isn't thick enough for your tastes, feel free to add a second or third layer.   

Finally, roll the almonds in powdered sugar.  Enjoy!  Perfect for your Valentine!   

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CookSpace Hawaii's Handmade Valentine's Candies Class

I'm a huge fan of CookSpace Hawaii, a cooking studio and event venue located in Ward Warehouse offering cooking classes, tastings, and more.  I was super excited to be invited to attend their Handmade Valentine's Candies class this past Sunday led by Kapiolani Community College Pastry Chef Mark Okumura.

Chef Okumura's background includes 12 years of experience as a pastry chef at the Halekulani Hotel and opening pastry chef for Alan Wong's.  He's credited with creating the chocolate crunch bar and five flavors of creme brûlée served in Chinese soup spoons at the Alan Wong's restaurant.
 
At the candies class, he shared with us valuable tips and techniques as he demonstrated his own recipes for Caramelized Almond Dragees, Easy 5 Ingredient Soft Caramels, and Bittersweet Chocolate Truffles.  The best part of class was being able to take home a bento box with the delicious candy creations!

CookSpace Hawaii has lots of cool classes coming up including leaning how to make handmade pasta and French macarons!  For more information, visit their website. 

 Chef Okumura dipping strawberries.  His tips are to make sure the strawberries are dry before dipping to prevent mold.  He also likes to dip in chocolate truffles rather than coating chocolate to give the strawberries a softer chocolate shell. 

Chef demonstrated the making of the "tuxedo" strawberry which is first dipped in white chocolate; sides dipped in chocolate; and bow tie and buttons piped in chocolate.

Chef shows us the proper way to coat a truffle.  Using two forks, tap off excess chocolate.  CookSpace Hawaii's Megan Tomino assists in decorating the truffles.   

Everyone had the chance to make their own truffles.

Absolutely delicious!

Thank you to CookSpace Hawaii for the fun and delicious class!

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